# The Structure and Functional Changes of Thyroid in Severe Acute Pancreatitis Rats

## TL;DR

This study examines how severe acute pancreatitis affects thyroid structure and function in rats, revealing significant damage and altered hormone levels.

## Contribution

The study reveals novel insights into thyroid injury mechanisms in SAP and their potential feedback on pancreatic inflammation.

## Key findings

- SAP rats showed significantly lower T3, T4, and Ca2+ levels compared to controls.
- Thyroid structure in SAP rats was severely damaged and worsened over time.
- Thyroid injury in SAP may exacerbate pancreatic inflammation through retroactive effects.

## Abstract

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is associated with metabolic disorders, hypocalcemia, and multiple organ failure. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in thyroid ultrastructure and function in rats with SAP and to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of thyroid injury in patients with SAP. 64 male SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into the SAP group and the control group. Pancreatic enzymatic indicators and thyroid hormones were detected, pathology scores were evaluated, and morphological changes were observed under light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in both groups. The serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4) and Ca2+ were significantly lower in the SAP group than in the control group (P<0.05), whereas the level of calcitonin (CT) was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The thyroid structure (pathology and electron microscopy) of the SAP rats was seriously damaged and worsened over time. SAP can cause thyroid injury through a variety of mechanisms, which can also retroact to pancreatitis to aggravate the inflammatory response. This study may have theoretical significance for basic research on SAP.