Premature Induction of Glucokinase in the Neonatal Rat by Thyroid Hormone

It was shown that the development of liver glucokinase in the rat coincided with a peak in the levels of circulating thyroid hormone at about the 16th postnatal day. Administration of thyroid inhibitors blocked the development of the enzyme and administration of thyroid hormone restored activity to normal levels. Glucokinase could be induced prematurely as early as the 2nd postnatal day by the administration of thyroid hormone followed by daily injection of glucose (10 mg/g body weight). Glucocorticoids and corticotropin failed to induce glucokinase activity prematurely. The postnatal increase in circulating thyroid hormone levels together with increased intake of carbohydrate at weaning may be the normal physiological stimulus for induction of this enzyme.