MINI REVIEW article

Front. Physiol., 23 May 2018

Sec. Integrative Physiology

Volume 9 - 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00560

Thyroid Hormones Play Role in Sarcopenia and Myopathies

  • Laboratory of Translational Endocrinology, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Skeletal muscle maintains posture and enables movement by converting chemical energy into mechanical energy, further contributing to basal energy metabolism. Thyroid hormones (thyroxine, or T4, and triiodothyronine, or T3) participate in contractile function, metabolic processes, myogenesis and regeneration of skeletal muscle. T3 classically modulates gene expression after binding to thyroid hormone nuclear receptors. Thyroid hormone effects depend on nuclear receptor occupancy, which is directly related to intracellular T3 levels. Sarcolemmal thyroid hormone levels are regulated by their transport across the plasma membrane by specific transporters, as well as by the action of deiodinases types 2 and 3, which can activate or inactivate T4 and T3. Thyroid hormone level oscillations have been associated with the worsening of many myopathies such as myasthenia gravis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and rhabdomyolysis. During aging skeletal muscle show a decrease in mass and quality, known as sarcopenia. There is increasing evidence that thyroid hormones could have a role in the sarcopenic process. Therefore, in this review, we aim to discuss the main effects of thyroid hormones in skeletal muscular aging processes and myopathy-related pathologies.

Introduction

Skeletal muscle (SM) maintains posture and enables movement by converting chemical energy into mechanical energy, further contributing to basal energy metabolism (; ). The SM architecture is characterized by a particular arrangement of muscle fibers that are multinucleated (). SM fibers are classified as slow or fast twitch fibers: 1, 2a, 2x, and 2b, named in order of increasing speed of contraction and overall decreasing ATP-generating capacity. The expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms also characterizes muscle fibers: type 1 express myosin-7 (MYH7), type 2a express myosin-2 (MYH2), type 2x express myosin-1(MYH1), and type 2b express myosin-4 (MYH4) (). The SM metabolism and fibers type are regulated by innervation and soluble factors, such as thyroid hormones (THs) (; ).

TH serum levels are controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis (). However, the nutritional status, illness and aging can change the set points of the HPT axis, leading to changes in TH synthesis by the thyroid gland (). Thyroxin (T4) is the hormone most abundantly produced by the thyroid. However, triiodothyronine (T3) is considered the active form of the TH, since it binds to thyroid hormone receptors (THRs) as part of the classical pathway (genomic actions) (). THRs are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and are encoded by two genes: Thra and Thrb (), THRα1 is the most abundant THR isoform expressed in SM (). The biological activity of THs via THRs is determined by the intracellular levels of THs, which are dependent on several factors, such as serum TH concentration, membrane transporters and the activity of deiodinase enzymes (). Monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) is the main TH transporter in SM. The deiodination of T4 into T3 can occur inside the cell by the action of deiodinase type 2 (D2) or on the plasma membrane by the action of deiodinase type 1 (D1). D1 and deiodinase type 3 (D3) also catalyze the conversion of T4 into reverse T3 (rT3). Furthermore, D3 converts T3 into 3,3’-T2. SM expresses D2 and D3. The production of T3 from T4 is catalyzed by D2, increasing the intracellular availability of T3 and nuclear receptor binding, while the inactivation of T4 and T3 is the main function of D3 ().

T3 is probably the most studied TH regarding muscle physiology; however, other THs and derivatives also influence muscle physiology. High levels of T4 reduce contractility in the canine diaphragm, the primary respiratory SM (). Additionally, it was demonstrated that the TH metabolite 3,5-T2 rapidly stimulates respiratory chain activity, mitochondrial thermogenesis, and fatty acid oxidation in SM cells (). However, the exact mechanisms triggered by T2 are still unclear. Considering the importance of T3 and the large amount of data on this issue, we will mainly focus our analysis on T3 effects.

T3 stimulates Myh1, Myh2, Myh4 expression and represses Myh7 gene expression (). Additionally, the control of intracellular T3 levels is crucial for the progression of myogenesis (; ). SM mitochondrial function is also modulated by T3 (). In aged subjects, the serum T3 levels decrease. The reduction of THs is one factor involved in the aging process. During aging, myogenesis is reduced, SM metabolism is modulated and the type II fibers are decreased (). Thus, the decrease in TH signaling seems to influence SM during aging.

Thyroid Hormone and Sarcopenia

Aging is a multifactorial process that involves changes in serum hormone levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, accumulation of cellular damage, low-grade chronic inflammation and altered tissue function (; ). The serum TH concentration decreases with aging, and it has been correlated with age-associated pathologies (). SM is also affected by age because men and women older than 60 years present decreased muscle quality (; ; ). The age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and quality is called sarcopenia. Like aging, sarcopenia is multifactorial and associated with decreases in myogenesis and alterations in biochemical profiles and fiber types (; ; ).

Muscle cross-sectional area decreases with aging (; ). In older men, the reduction of muscle mass is associated with a decrease in type 2b fibers and minimal changes in the type 1 fiber profile (; ). Animal studies corroborate the fiber type change associated with aging. Aged rats present a transition of fast fiber types into slower ones, including decreases in type 2b fibers, increases in type 2x fibers and conversion of type 2a fibers to type 1 fibers (, ; ). The change in fiber type profile is associated with alterations in neuromuscular junctions (); however, the causal association between the decrease in motor unit function and the development of sarcopenia is still not totally clear (; ; ). Other factors are associated with the loss of muscle quality; thus, the decrease in muscle mass, strength and power is multifactorial. It is important to note that THs induce the transition from a slower fiber type into a faster one and could be involved in the sarcopenic process (; ). T3 administration to old rats increased Myh2 and Myh1 expression in the slow-twitch soleus; however, no significant changes were observed in the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus after the treatment (). Muscle cross-sectional area is smaller in elderly subclinical hypothyroid patients compared to euthyroid age-matched controls (). Additionally, treatment of these patients to a euthyroid state improves muscle strength and cross-sectional area (). However, the overall muscle quality of elderly subclinical hypothyroid and euthyroid patients is similar ().

During aging, a decrease in ATP production and mtDNA in muscle fibers is observed (; ; ). Overexpression of the mitochondrial THRA isoform, p43, stimulates mitochondrial respiration and induces an oxidative phenotype in SM (). However, the overexpression of p43 increased oxidative stress and decreased mitochondrial content in the muscles of 6-, 11-, and 23-month-old mice (). Despite the evidence pointing to a possible causal relationship between THs and sarcopenia during aging, more studies are necessary to understand the molecular and physiological mechanism of this association.

Thyroid Hormones and Myopathies

Hyperthyroid patients present muscle weakness and increased Ca2+ recycling (; ), and hyperthyroid mice showed increased muscle fatigability compared to control groups (). Exercise intolerance, cramps, stiffness, muscle pain (myalgia) and muscle weakness are common symptoms in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients. Moreover, Allan–Herndon–Dudley syndrome patients (caused by Slc16a2 mutation, the gene encoding MCT8) have decreased muscle mass and tone. In Slc16a2-Knock-out mice (Mct8KO) the decreases in muscle mass and tone seem to be associated with increased muscular TH content (; ). Additionally, some rare muscular myopathies are associated with changes in thyroid status, such as myasthenia gravis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and rhabdomyolysis (; ; ; ; ; ). A summary of myopathies and TH physiology is presented in Table 1.

Table 1

PathologySM alterationTH physiologySarcolemmal TH levelsSpeciesReference
Allan–Herndon–Dudley syndrome↓ SM mass and toneMCT8 deficiency; decreased T4 and increased T3 levelsT3 increasedMice; .
Hypothyroid myopathymyalgia, myoedema, exercise intolerance, cramps, stiffness, increased levels of creatine kinaseDecreased T4 and T3 levelsNot reportedHuman; ; ; .
Myasthenia gravismuscle weakness and fatigabilityIncreased hyperthyroidism in patientsNot reportedHuman; ; ; .
Duchenne muscular dystrophytissue injury, reduced SM repairSimilar to euthyroid populationNot reportedHuman and mice; ; ; .
Mutation in SECISBP2muscle weakness, satellite cell loss and progressive peripheral myopathyAtypical resistance to THs, increased rT3 and T4 levels and decreased T3 levelsNot reportedHuman.
SPEN1-related myopathymuscle atrophy predominantly affecting axial muscles, muscle weaknessNot reportedNot reportedHuman and mice; ; .
Myotonic dystrophymuscle weakness, myotonia; DM1: atrophy in type 1 fibers; DM2: atrophy in type 2 fibers20% of patients with DM have thyroid diseases, and 32% of DM2 patients present thyroid dysfunctionNot reportedHuman; .
Rhabdomyolysismuscle pain, weaknessLow serum T3 levels seem to aggravate the diseaseNot reportedHuman; ; .

Summary of myopathies and TH physiology.

Hypothyroid myopathy is a collection of muscle symptoms that can be present in the hypothyroid condition (). These symptoms include myalgia, muscular pseudohypertrophy (myoedema), exercise intolerance, cramps and stiffness. Hypothyroid myopathy could be associated with the reduction in muscle energy metabolism and less efficient contraction-relaxation rates due to the reduction of intramuscular T3 levels to bellow optimal (; ). Additionally, 57-90% of hypothyroid patients have increased levels of creatine kinase (CK), a marker of muscle damage (). In hypothyroid patients, the CK levels fall after L-T4 replacement therapy (; ).

Additionally, hyperthyroidism is also a risk factor for other myopathies, such as myasthenia gravis, which is an autoimmune disease mediated by autoantibodies that target neuromuscular junctions (). Acetylcholine receptors are the primary target of these autoantibodies, leading to muscle weakness and fatigability (; ). Elevated serum T3 levels, as seen in hyperthyroidism, can induce B cell activation and plasma cell antibody secretion in the absence of antigens (). Like the majority of autoimmune diseases, myasthenia gravis is associated with a genetic predisposition, environmental factors and hormonal levels (; ). Thus, high serum T3 levels in susceptible patients could lead to autoantibody production. Hyperthyroidism is more common in myasthenia gravis patients than in the general population (; ). The treatment of thyrotoxicosis improved muscle response in myasthenia gravis patients (). Furthermore, administration of THs to euthyroid patients worsened myasthenia gravis symptoms (; ). In this context, high serum levels of THs seem to precede autoimmune disease (; ). Taken together, we speculate that THs are associated with the initial development of myasthenia gravis.

DMD is a debilitating hereditary disease. The progression of the disease is rapid, and patients usually die between the 2nd and 3rd decade of life from respiratory and cardiac failure (). The DMD gene encodes dystrophin, which is absent or non-functional in DMD subjects (). Normal muscular contraction leads to tissue injury in DMD patients (). Additionally, dystrophin is also involved in the asymmetric division of satellite cells (). Thus, factors that influence muscle satellite cell differentiation and proliferation can affect the pathological outcome. The local levels of THs are finally regulated through the myogenic process (). D3 is highly expressed in early activated muscle stem cells. The inactivation of THs is essential for the survival and expansion of the satellite cell pool. Later, an increase in intracellular T3 levels by D2 is critical for progenitor cell differentiation (). Thus, the balance in intracellular T3 levels controls myogenesis by influencing progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation (). Mdx mice are a DMD model because they do not express dystrophin. Mdx satellite cells have reduced myogenic potential (). Induction of hypothyroidism in mdx mice leads to a reduction in the size of regenerated fibers after crush injury compared to fibers in euthyroid mdx mice (). Additionally, central nuclei fibers, indicative of an early stage of muscle regeneration, and serum CK levels are reduced in hypothyroid mdx mice compared to euthyroid mdx mice (). However, the number of mononuclear cells is increased in hypothyroid mdx compared to euthyroid mdx, and delayed muscle necrosis is observed (; ). Although, hyperthyroidism did not change the fiber size in mdx animals and did decrease fiber size in wild-type animals (). Additionally, dystrophy is more severe in slow-twitch SM in hyperthyroid mdx mice (; ). Thus, we can speculate that TH signaling increases satellite cell numbers but does not improve fiber regeneration in DMD.

The selenoproteins are a group of 25 proteins that contains the amino acid selenocysteine (). The only two well characterized human selenoprotein groups are glutathione peroxidases and deiodinases. Human mutations in deiodinases (DIO gene) are not known. However, Thr92Ala polymorphisms in the D2 gene (DIO2) lead to a decrease in SM D2 activity and seem to be associated with decreased insulin sensitivity in this tissue (; ). Additionally, a mutation in SECISBP2 leads to an atypical resistance to THs, elevated rT3 and T4 levels and a decreased T3 levels. Patients with this mutation present decreased D1 and D2 activity, and some patients can present muscle weakness and progressive peripheral myopathy (). However, only a mutation of selenoprotein N (SelN) leads to a well characterized myopathy (). SelN is ubiquitously expressed and seems to be involved in Ca+2 homeostasis and protection against oxidative stress (). The SPEN1-related myopathy is a severe neuromuscular disorder caused by a deficiency of SelN and is characterized by respiratory insufficiency, muscle atrophy that predominantly affects axial muscles, and muscle weakness (). As with DMD, the SPEN1-related myopathy is associated with satellite cells loss (). A Sepn1-knock-out mouse model shows impaired muscle regeneration and is more sensitive to challenging physical activity (). Physical exercise increases skeletal muscle D2 activity, and thus, it seems to increase sarcolemmal T3 levels (). The increased sensitivity to physical challenge in Sepn1-knock-out mice could be associated with a failure in recovering from muscle damage and not to a decrease in TH responsiveness during exercise. The pathogenesis of SPEN1-related myopathy still not completely understood; however, the control of embryonic myogenesis is a key point, and THs could be involved in the regulatory process.

Myotonic dystrophy (dystrophia myotonica, DM) is an autosomal dominant monogenic disorder and is the predominant muscular dystrophy in adults (). Myotonic dystrophy 1 and 2 (DM1, DM2) are caused by unstable CTG or CCTG repeats within the gene DMPK or CNBP (ZNF9), respectively (). The diseases are characterized by cataracts, muscle weakness, myotonia, and adult-onset multisystem degenerative disorder. Patients’ symptoms are very heterogeneous, and thus, DM1 patients are commonly classified as having congenital DM1, childhood DM1, classical DM1 or minimal DM1 in order to improve treatment. The latter two occur predominantly during adult life as DM2 (). DM1 patients show selected atrophy of type 1 fibers (), while DM2 patients show selective atrophy of type 2 fibers (). Alteration in the TH axis is a common comorbidity in DM1 and DM2 patients; 20% of DM patients have thyroid diseases, and 32% of DM2 patients present thyroid dysfunction (). DM1 patients present decreases in serum free T3 levels and reduced iodine uptake by the thyroid (). Low-dose TH replacement has been used to decrease pain in DM2 patients. Thus, the decrease in TH levels could be associated with the muscle atrophy and weakness present in DM.

Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening syndrome caused by any damage to SM tissue that results in sarcolemmal membrane rupture and leakage of intracellular components. Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by muscle pain, weakness, a large increase in CK levels and pigmenturia (). Low T3 serum levels seem to aggravate the disease (; ). However, hypothyroidism is a non-traumatic and uncommon cause of this disease. Therefore, the exact association between rhabdomyolysis and hypothyroidism is still not clear (; ; ). The influence of THs on mitochondrial activity seems to be a possible correlation. Additionally, patients with acute kidney disease have a higher risk of developing rhabdomyolysis related to hypothyroidism (). Kidney dysfunction by itself could induce the reduction in serum TH levels because kidneys are associated with systemic TH clearance. Moreover, chronic kidney disease patients normally present low serum T3 levels as a result of this critical disease.

SM function is regulated by a complex system involving neuroendocrine signaling. Herein, we present evidence linking THs to the development of and complications observed in myopathies. Additionally, the collective changes observed in SM with aging are similar to alterations associated with a decrease in TH signaling. However, we do not know if changes in TH status are a cause or consequence of the SM- related disease. Thus, more studies must be performed to better understand the interconnection between THs and SM. The administration of THs or THRa agonists could be use in elderly patients as a future treatment to manage sarcopenia. Meanwhile, more studies have to be performed to understand the safety and possible beneficial actions of these treatments.

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Author contributions

FB and TO-C participated in fund acquisition. All authors participated in the conception and writing of the manuscript, reviewing the literature, and critically analyzing the text.

Funding

This research was supported by the Brazilian Endocrine and Metabolism Society – Thyroid Department (SBEM), FAPERJ, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo á Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro Research Foundation (E-26 /112.063 /2012, E-26/203.190 /2015), the CNPq, Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development, (303734/2012-4, 473828/2012-0, and 402343/2012-3) and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

References

Summary

Keywords

thyroid hormone, skeletal muscle, aging, sarcopenia, myopathy, weakness, myalgia

Citation

Bloise FF, Oliveira TS, Cordeiro A and Ortiga-Carvalho TM (2018) Thyroid Hormones Play Role in Sarcopenia and Myopathies. Front. Physiol. 9:560. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00560

Received

25 January 2018

Accepted

30 April 2018

Published

23 May 2018

Volume

9 - 2018

Edited by

Jean-Pierre Montani, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

Reviewed by

Pieter de Lange, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Italy; Olivier M. Dorchies, Université de Genève, Switzerland; Anna Milanesi, University of California, Los Angeles, United States

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Flavia F. Bloise, ;

This article was submitted to Integrative Physiology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Physiology

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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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