Pharmacological inhibition of TRα1 receptor potentiates the thyroxine effect on body weight reduction in rats:: potential therapeutic implications in controlling body weight

It has been previously reported that thyroid hormone receptor alpha 1 (TR alpha 1) is involved in the regulation of food intake and heart rhythm. Herein, we show that pharmacological inhibition of TR alpha 1 by dronedarone, an amiodarone like compound (shown to antagonize thyroid hormone binding to TR alpha 1), prevented the thyroid hormone induced increase in food intake and heart rate acceleration in rats. This resulted in a marked reduction in body weight. It is likely that thyroid analogs may prove potential therapeutic agents for controlling body weight.