Thyroid hormone effect on human mitochondria measured by flow cytometry

AbstractBackground: Mitochondrial function may be impaired in a number of diseases including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and endocrine disorders. Therefore it is important to be able to measure mitochondrial function in human cells. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate a method to measure mitochondrial function in human derived cells, which also would reflect regulation by thyroid hormones. Methods: The MDA-MB-231 cell line (a human breast cancer cell line) was incubated with bioactive iodothyronines (T4, 3′-3, 5-T3, 3, 5-T2) 50nmol/l for 3 h. Mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMP) were measured by a flow cytometer after staining with Tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM). Also, the effect of TRIAC (a stimulator of thyroid hormone nuclear receptors) and L-Carnitine (an inhibitor of thyroid hormone passage into the nucleus) was examined. Findings: It was possible to measure mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in human derived cells and to examine thyroid hormone effec...