toxscitoxsciToxicological Sciences1096-09291096-6080Oxford University Press10.1093/toxsci/kfm312ENDOCRINE TOXICOLOGYA Biologically Based Dose-Response Model for Dietary Iodide and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis in the Adult Rat: Evaluation of Iodide DeficiencyMcLanahanEva D.*AndersenMelvin E.†FisherJeffrey W.*1*University of Georgia, Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, Athens, Georgia 30602†The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Division of Computational Biology, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 277091To whom correspondence should be addressed at 206 Environmental Health Sciences Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2102. Fax: (706) 542-7472. E-mail: jwfisher@uga.edu.42008312008102224125321020071812200724122007© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org2008A biologically based dose-response (BBDR) model was developed for dietary iodide and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in adult rats. This BBDR-HPT axis model includes submodels for dietary iodide, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and the thyroid hormones, T4 and T3. The submodels are linked together via key biological processes, including (1) the influence of T4 on TSH production (the HPT axis negative feedback loop), (2) stimulation of thyroidal T4 and T3 production by TSH, (3) TSH upregulation of the thyroid sodium (Na+)/iodide symporter, and (4) recycling of iodide from metabolism of thyroid hormones. The BBDR-HPT axis model was calibrated to predict steady-state concentrations of iodide, T4, T3, and TSH for the euthyroid rat whose dietary intake of iodide was 20 μg/day. Then the BBDR-HPT axis model was used to predict perturbations in the HPT axis caused by insufficient dietary iodide intake, and simulation results were compared to experimental findings. The BBDR-HPT axis model was successful in simulating perturbations in serum T4, TSH, and thyroid iodide stores for low-iodide diets of 0.33–1.14 μg/day. Model predictions of serum T3 concentrations were inconsistent with observations in some cases. BBDR-HPT axis model simulations show a steep dose-response relationship between dietary intake of iodide and serum T4 and TSH when dietary iodide intake becomes insufficient (less than 2 μg/day) to sustain the HPT axis. This BBDR-HPT axis model can be linked with physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for thyroid-active chemicals to evaluate and predict dose-dependent HPT axis alterations based on hypothesized modes of action. To support continued development of this model, future studies should include time course data after perturbation of the HPT axis to capture changes in endogenous iodide, serum TSH, T4, and T3.iodideBBDR modelHPT axisthyroxineTSHpharmacokineticsThe hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis regulates many physiologic functions, including metabolism, growth, development, and reproduction. In humans, ingestion of insufficient or excessive amounts of dietary iodide, thyroid-active drugs, or exposure to thyroid-active environmental contaminants can perturb the HPT axis to varying degrees. If HPT alterations are severe enough or occur during a critical period of neurodevelopment, lifelong consequences may occur, such as learning deficits. Iodide deficiency, which leads to hypothyroidism, is the most preventable cause of mental retardation and brain damage throughout the world (Delange, 2001). Insufficient iodide intake is still prevalent in almost one-third of world population (Delange, 2001). Alterations in the HPT axis of laboratory animals are readily demonstrated using thyroid-active compounds or by altering the dietary intake of iodide (Brucker-Davis, 1998; Zoeller, 2007).The process of thyroid hormone formation is highly regulated. The thyroid gland actively sequesters iodide via the sodium (Na+)/iodide(I−) symporter (NIS), which is an indispensable component of thyroid hormones. Iodide is then available for incorporation and use in thyroid hormone production. The normal thyroid gland produces thyroxine (T4) in greater quantities than the biologically active hormone 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) (Greer et al., 1968). T4 and T3 are secreted from the thyroid gland into systemic circulation, where T4 can be metabolized to T3 in peripheral tissues by a family of enzymes called 5′-deiodinases. When circulating blood levels of T4 and T3 are low, the anterior pituitary gland produces more thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a classical negative feedback loop. TSH, delivered by blood to the thyroid gland, binds to receptors on the plasma membrane of thyroid follicular cells. This receptor-TSH complex regulates second messenger cascades that stimulate thyroidal processes such as the increase in NIS expression and activity and increased production of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) (Kogai et al., 2006). These orchestrated biochemical events ultimately allow for compensatory increases in thyroidal uptake of iodide and production and secretion of T4 and T3.Recently, several laboratories have reported on the potency of anions, which are environmental contaminants, to block thyroidal uptake of radiolabeled iodide in laboratory animals (perchlorate and nitrate, Tonacchera et al., 2004; Yu et al., 2002) and humans (perchlorate, Greer et al., 2002). The ability of perchlorate to alter the HPT axis in humans (e.g., increase serum TSH levels and decrease serum T4 levels) appears to be feeble under conditions of high dietary iodide intake (Crump et al., 2000; Téllez et al., 2005) and significant for mildly iodide-deficient women (Blount et al., 2006). In this paper, a biologically based dose-response (BBDR) model for the HPT axis in the adult rat is developed to evaluate iodide deficiency as a first step in understanding the relationship between dietary iodide intake, potency of anions to block thyroidal uptake of dietary iodide, and disruption of the HPT axis.Pharmacokinetic models have played an important role in understanding the quantitative aspects of the HPT axis. DiStefano and colleagues have published several kinetic papers on this topic. In particular, DiStefano et al. (1982) and DiStefano and Feng (1988) used a three-compartment rodent model for the thyroid hormones, T4 and T3, to estimate thyroid hormone production and metabolic clearance rates. Li et al. (1995) also used a compartmental approach to simulate the pulsatile release of TSH in humans. In 1996, Kohn et al. developed a rodent HPT axis submodel linked with a physiological model for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to evaluate TCDD-mediated induction of hepatic T4 metabolism and clearance. More recently, Dietrich et al. (2002) described the negative feedback of the HPT axis in humans and the pulsatile secretion of TSH. Mukhopadhyay and Bhattacharyya (2006) also described the pulsatile secretion of TSH in humans using time delays to relate production of T4 with TSH secretion. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for radiolabeled iodide (125I) and perchlorate in rodents and humans have been developed for different life stages (Clewell et al., 2003a,b; Merrill et al., 2003, 2005) to evaluate the impact of perchlorate on thyroidal uptake of 125I.Although scientists have constructed compartmental models to describe the HPT axis, published models were not found that take into account TSH production and dietary iodide (127I) linked to T4 and T3 formation and secretion. Thus, a quantitative BBDR-HPT axis model was developed to include the most informative serum hormones, namely, T4 and T3, and the signaling molecule, TSH, and dietary iodide. Features in the BBDR-HPT axis model include the active transport and regulation of iodide uptake into the thyroid by the NIS, T4/TSH negative feedback loop, TSH stimulation of thyroidal processes, extrathyroidal metabolism of T4 to form the biologically active T3, and recycling of metabolically derived iodide from extrathyroidal metabolism of thyroid hormones.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe BBDR-HPT axis submodels for the adult rat were constructed using simple model structures. The production of thyroid hormones (Equation 14) is controlled, in part, by the model predicted serum TSH concentration, and the maximal rate of active sequestration of iodide into the thyroid (Equation 2) is also controlled by the serum TSH concentration. This infers an instantaneous rate of change in protein synthesis without the use of delay functions or other equations to account for protein synthesis or degradation rates. This simple approach was adequate because BBDR-HPT axis model predictions were compared to experimental data under quasi steady-state conditions (days to months). This BBDR- HPT axis model was not validated against data to predict the initial onset of HPT axis disturbances for less than 24 h. Radiotracer time course data (supplementary data) were used to assist in obtaining preliminary parameter values for each subcompartment in the euthyroid adult rat. Other investigators have recently described endocrine systems, using serum levels of signaling molecules to control feedback loops such as the adult male rat hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis (Barton and Andersen, 1998) and the human HPG axis/menstrual cycle (Rasgon et al., 2003; Schlosser and Selgrade, 2000).Models were coded using acslXtreme version 2.4.0.11 (Aegis Technologies, Huntsville, AL) and solved with the Gear algorithm for stiff systems. Standardized units of nanomoles (nmol), liters (L), kilograms (kg), and hours (h) were used in the submodels. The approach for the development of the BBDR-HPT axis model was to first create simple and independent submodel structures (supplementary data) for radiolabeled iodide, radiolabeled TSH, radiolabeled T4, and radiolabeled T3 using radiotracer studies reported in literature for the adult rat. This provided several BBDR-HPT axis model parameter values, although sometimes preliminary. Additional data pertaining to the metabolism and excretion of T4 and T3 were used to guide model development.The submodels for iodide, TSH, T4, and T3 were linked as an interactive system to simulate the HPT axis in the euthyroid adult rat. The euthyroid steady-state BBDR-HPT axis model relied on dietary iodide as the only exogenous input. Finally, the calibrated euthyroid, iodide-sufficient adult rat BBDR-HPT axis model was tested for its ability to predict perturbations in the system under iodide-deficient conditions.Submodel Structure and Key EquationsIodide.Iodide was described as distributing into a volume of distribution (Vd) and thyroid gland (Fig. 1). Iodide is rapidly absorbed to the bloodstream from the digestive tract and quickly diffuses into extracellular spaces throughout the body. Iodide fate is largely determined by a competition between thyroidal sequestration and urinary excretion (Verger et al., 2001). Urinary excretion of iodide is described as a first-order clearance from the Vd. Uptake of iodide into the thyroid compartment is described assuming active uptake by the NIS and diffusion (Fig. 1).FIG. 1.BBDR-HPT axis model structure for the adult rat HPT axis is composed of submodels (shaded in gray) for dietary iodide, TSH, T4, and T3. Solid arrows () represent blood flows, bold arrows () within tissue compartments represent active uptake, diffusion limitation represented by solid arrows () within tissue compartments, metabolic links symbolized as dashed arrows () between submodels. Dashed and dotted arrow () represents the use of dietary iodide in thyroid hormone production, and the bold () arrows connecting model processes show control (stimulation or inhibition) by the compound. Details shown in the figure are as follows:  formation of free iodide from T3 metabolism in the Vd and liver;  formation of free iodide from T4 to T3 metabolism in the Vd and liver;  loss of bound thyroidal iodide secreted as thyroid hormones;  metabolism of T3 (metabolism to free iodide and fecal elimination of T3);  deiodination of T4 in the liver to T3 and free iodide;  phase II metabolism (conjugation of T4) and excretion into feces;  TSH stimulation of NIS iodide uptake;  TSH stimulation of organification of iodide, forming thyroid hormone precursors;  TSH stimulation of thyroid hormone production; T4 negative feedback on TSH production.Free iodide enters the thyroid in two ways as follows: (1) active uptake by NIS and (2) diffusion via ion channels. NIS is a plasma membrane protein that actively transports two sodium molecules with one iodide molecule down the sodium ion gradient generated by sodium-potassium ATPases (Kogai et al., 2006). TSH has been shown to stimulate NIS mRNA production, NIS protein expression, and retention in the plasma membrane (Carrasco, 1993; Kogai et al., 1997, 2000; Levy et al., 1997; Riedel et al., 2001; Sherwin and Tong, 1974). Sherwin and Tong (1974) found that TSH-induced stimulation of iodide transport increased the rate of iodide uptake and did not affect the affinity (Kmi) of iodide for the transporter. Thus, iodide uptake into the thyroid via the NIS (rTNISi, nmol/h) and TSH-stimulated maximum NIS iodide transport rate (VmaxTiTSH, nmol/h) were described as follows:(1)(2)where Cvti (nmol/l) is the free concentration of iodide in thyroid blood, Kmi (nmol/l) is the affinity constant of iodide for the NIS, VmaxTi (nmol/h) is the maximum rate of NIS iodide uptake, CaTSH (nmol/l) is the serum concentration of TSH, and KNISTSH (nmol/l) is the serum concentration of TSH that results in half-maximal TSH stimulation of VmaxTi.Once iodide enters the thyroid by NIS-active uptake or diffusion, iodide is incorporated (organified) by binding to tyrosine residues present in Tg via a TPO-mediated mechanism (Degroot and Niepomiszcze, 1977). This bound fraction of iodide in this model represents the thyroidal iodide pool that is attached to Tg and the folding and formation of TH attached to the Tg backbone. TSH increases the expression of many genes involved in thyroid hormone synthesis, including Tg and TPO (Kogai et al., 2006). The rate of incorporation of iodide (rIB, nmol/h) into thyroid hormone precursors and TSH stimulation (VmaxBiTSH, nmol/h) of the organification process is described by:(3)(4)where CTFi (nmol/l) is the free concentration of iodide in the thyroid, Kbi (nmol/l) is the concentration of free iodide in the thyroid when binding rate is half maximal, VmaxBi (nmol/h) is the maximum rate of organification of iodide, and KbTSH (nmol/l) is the concentration of serum TSH that results in half-maximal TSH stimulation of VmaxBi.Loss of free iodide from the thyroid by outward diffusion was described using an estimated permeability cross-product (PATi), and loss of bound iodide as thyroid hormones is described in Equations 14–16. Thus, the thyroid tissue compartment for iodide was described for free (dATFi/dt, nmol/h), bound/thyroid hormone incorporated (dATBi/dt, nmol/h), and total (ATi, nmol) iodide by the following equations:(5)(6)(7)where rT4prod is the secretion rate of T4 from the thyroid (nmol T4/h, Equation 16), T4ieq is the molar fraction of iodide in a T4 molecule (0.6534), rT3prod is the secretion rate of T3 from the thyroid (nmol T3/h, Equation 15), and T3ieq is the molar fraction of iodide in a T3 molecule (0.5848).Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3).TSH does not distribute into tissues, thus a one-compartment submodel for TSH was constructed using a Vd with a first-order clearance (Fig. 1). Each thyroid hormone submodel was developed with a Vd and liver compartment (Fig. 1). Bidirectional diffusion of T4 in the liver was included in the description of hepatic influx and efflux. T4 has also been shown to be actively transported into the liver by a high-affinity, low-capacity transporter, as well as a low-affinity, high-capacity transporter (Krenning et al., 1981). However, the rate of hepatic uptake of T4 (rLUT4, nmol/h) was simplified and described using a single Michaelis-Menten equation:(8)where VmaxT4LU is the maximal rate of active uptake of T4 into the liver (nmol/h), KmT4LU is the affinity constant for T4 active transport (nmol/l), and CvlT4 is the concentration of T4 in the liver venous blood (nmol/l). Since at least 99% of T4 is bound to serum proteins in rodents (Mendel et al., 1992), the submodel code was modified to reflect only free-serum T4 (1% of total serum T4) available for active transport and diffusion into the liver. Phase II saturable metabolism of T4 in the liver was described using Michaelis-Menten metabolism equations for glucuronidation (forming T4-glucuronide, T4-G) and type I 5′-deiodination of T4 (forming T3 and free iodide). The diffusion-limited liver blood compartment for T4 was described using the equations:(9)(10)where dALbT4/dt is the rate of change of T4 in the liver blood (nmol/h), QL is the blood flow to the liver (l/h), CaT4 is the arterial blood concentration of T4 perfusing the liver (nmol/l), PALT4 is the liver permeability area cross-product for T4 bidirectional diffusion (l/h), CvlT4 is the concentration of T4 in the liver venous blood (nmol/l), VLb is the volume of liver blood (l), and PLT4 is the T4 liver:blood partition coefficient (unitless).The liver tissue compartment for T4 was described as follows:(11)(12)where dALT4/dt (nmol/h) is the rate of change of T4 in the liver tissue, CLT4 (nmol/l) is the concentration of T4 in the liver, rLUT4 (nmol/h, Equation 8) is the rate of active uptake of T4 into the liver from liver blood, rDILT4 (nmol/h) is the Michaelis-Menten metabolic equation for rate of T4 conversion to T3 and free iodide by type I 5′-deiodinating enzymes, rUGTT4 (nmol/h) is also a saturable Michaelis-Menten metabolism equation for the rate of formation of T4-G formation, and VL (l) is the volume of the liver. T4 has also been shown to undergo other hepatic metabolic processes, such as sulfation (T4-S formation), which accounts for a small fraction (6%) of overall T4 metabolism (Rutgers et al., 1989), and T4-S is rapidly deiodinated in the liver (Visser et al., 1990). To account for the rest of the body metabolism of T4 to T3, a first-order metabolism of T4 was included as a loss from the Vd compartment.Similar to T4, transport of T3 into the liver compartment was described by bidirectional diffusion and active uptake by a transporter protein (Fig. 1). Experimental evidence for hepatic transporter uptake of T3 from blood suggests that T3 uptake is not saturable at physiological conditions (Blondeau et al., 1988); thus, the active uptake was described as a first-order process. Hepatic metabolism of T3 in the liver was also described as a first-order process, with the assumption that a percentage of the metabolized T3 is excreted in feces as T3 conjugates (T3-G, T3-S, etc.). The remainder is metabolized to free iodide, assuming T3 metabolism to T2 is the rate-limiting step in releasing free iodide. The fraction of T3 metabolism excreted in feces (FT3feces, 0.30) was fit to provide an approximation (26%) of the percent dose of T3 excreted in feces (4.9–54.9%; DiStefano and Sapin, 1987; DiStefano et al., 1993). First-order metabolism of T3 was included in the Vd to account for rest of body metabolism of T3 to T0, also assuming that T3 to T2 is the rate-limiting step.Linking the submodels to create a BBDR-HPT axis model.The submodels described in supplementary data for iodide, T4, T3, and TSH are linked as shown in Figure 1. All compartments for each submodel were assigned steady-state–derived masses at the onset of the simulations. The initial amounts of TSH, iodide, or thyroid hormones were established by running simulations to steady state with a dietary iodide intake of 20 μg/day. Dietary intake of iodide was assumed to take place over a 12-h period, with food/iodide consumption occurring during the night hours (7:00 P.M.–7:00 A.M.).TSH is secreted by the anterior pituitary and is found in systemic circulation. Briefly, the TSH one-compartment model (described in supplementary data) in the linked BBDR-HPT axis model was modified to include an endogenous production term (Equation 13). The production of TSH is based on the primary negative feedback loop of the thyroid axis; that is, adequate levels of serum thyroid hormones result in a normal secretion of TSH from the pituitary, but when serum thyroid hormone levels decrease, the feedback control is diminished and TSH production rate increases. Several researchers have shown a negative correlation between serum T4 and TSH concentrations (Fukuda et al., 1975; Pedraza et al., 2006; Riesco et al., 1977). This is a primary experimental observation reported by several laboratories and is used in the development of the negative feedback loop for the BBDR-HPT axis model. Since total serum T4 is a common measurement in most thyroid disruptor studies, as opposed to free T4, the TSH/T4 negative feedback loop was described using total serum T4 as shown in Equation 13. The empirical description of TSH production is regulated by the model-predicted total serum T4 concentration (CaT4). The complete equation used to determine the amount of TSH in the Vd was as follows:(13)where k0TSH (nmol/h) is the maximal production rate of TSH in the absence of T4, KT4inh (nmol/l) is the estimated concentration of T4 in the serum which results in half-maximal production rate of TSH, CaT4 (nmol/l) is the total T4 serum concentration, and CaTSH (nmol/l) is the TSH serum concentration calculated by dividing the integral of Equation 13 by VdTSH (l).The rate of overall thyroidal production (release of T4 and T3 from Tg backbone—stored thyroidal iodide) and secretion of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) were determined by a fitted rate constant (kTSHIB) times the model predicted serum concentration of TSH and concentration of available thyroidal iodide in the form of hormone precursors:(14)where kTSHIB (l2/nmol/h) is a linear rate term, CaTSH (nmol/l) is the serum concentration of TSH, and CTBi (nmol/l) is the concentration of bound thyroidal iodide as thyroid hormone precursors. The proportion of thyroid hormones produced as T3 and T4 was then described as a fraction of the total production rate, using the following equations:(15)(16)where rT3prod (nmol/h) is the rate of thyroidal T3 production and rT4prod (nmol/h) is the rate of thyroidal T4 production. The ratio of T3/T4 secretion increases during iodide deficiency. To account for this, Equation 17 was derived from Pedraza et al. (2006), who collected experimental data on total thyroidal iodide stores and thyroidal T3/T4 ratios for different iodide intake rates. FT3 (unitless) is the fraction of overall thyroid hormone production within the thyroid that is T3 and was modeled as:(17)where ATi (μg) is the total amount of iodide in the thyroid, as calculated in Equation 7 and converted to micrograms. In iodide-deficient conditions, a shift from primarily T4 to T3 production in the thyroid occurs (Greer et al., 1968; Pedraza et al., 2006). This may be due to the increase in deiodination of T4 in the thyroid or simply the formation of less T4 because less iodide is needed to make T3. However, no instances have been reported where the thyroid synthesizes only T3 at the cost of zero T4 production. A MIN command was implemented in acslXtreme to ensure that the exponential FT3 function (Equation 17) did not exceed 0.90.Data sets used in steady-state euthyroid BBDR-HPT axis model calibration.Serum T4, and TSH, along with total thyroid iodide data from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats published by McLanahan et al. (2007) and serum T3 data (unpublished data) from our laboratory were used to calibrate the model for steady-state euthyroid conditions in the adult rat (320 g). It was also important to include liver T4 and T3 concentrations for calibration; however, there are few data sets with tissue concentrations of thyroid hormones. Liver T4 and T3 concentrations reported by Morreale de Escobar et al. (1994) in euthyroid adult female Wistar rats were used in BBDR-HPT axis model calibration. Additionally, the only study found to report measured free iodide serum concentrations was Eng et al. (1999) who reported data for euthyroid (control) adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.Model ParametersModel parameters were derived from the published literature whenever possible. Default assumptions for allometric scaling were employed. Thus, blood flows (Q), maximum velocities (Vmax)1 (An evaluation of literature for total thyroid iodide (127I) concentrations for the range of body weights simulated in this study (120–500 g) showed slight change in total amount of thyroidal 127I. The model parameter maintaining the stores in the thyroid is VmaxBci (Vmax for iodide incorporation into thyroid hormone precursors). Thus, to empirically describe total thyroid 127I concentrations, the value of VmaxBci was divided by BW0.75.), and permeability area cross-products (PA) were multiplied by body weight (BW)0.75 and clearance rates (Cl and kel) were divided by BW0.25. Volumes of distribution (Vd) were scaled linearly with BW.Physiological parameters.Growth equations developed by Mirfazaelian et al. (2007) were used to account for body weight changes for simulations that were longer than 1 month. Otherwise, the terminal body weight reported for the study was used in simulation. Blood flows and tissue volumes (V) were obtained from literature (Brown et al., 1997; Malendowicz and Bednarek, 1986; McLanahan et al., 2007). Physiological parameters are shown in Table 1.TABLE 1Physiological Parameters for the Adult RataParameterValueSourceTissue volumes    Liver, VLc (% BW)3.66Brown et al. (1997)    Liver blood, VLBc (% VL)21Brown et al. (1997)    Thyroid, VTc (% BW)0.005McLanahan et al. (2007)    Thyroid blood, VTBc (% VT)15.7Malendowicz and Bednarek (1986)Blood flows    Cardiac output, QCc (l/h/kg0.075)14.0Brown et al. (1997)    Liver, QLc (% QC)17.4Brown et al. (1997)    Thyroid, QTc (% QC)1.6bBrown et al. (1997)aBody weight (BW, kg) is not shown in this table because body weights reported in each study were used in model simulations.bHuman value.Literature-derived compound-specific parameters.When possible, compound-specific parameters for each submodel were derived from literature. Parameters for iodide, T4, T3, and TSH are shown in Table 2. Liver partition coefficients for T4 (PLT4, 1.27) and T3 (PLT3, 4.47) were determined from steady-state serum and liver concentrations reported by Escobar-Morreale et al. (1996) for female euthyroid, control rats. These values are similar to the values used by Kohn et al. (1996) for T4 and T3 liver partition coefficients (1.632 and 2.22, respectively) that were estimated from Kow values and the use of various regression equations.TABLE 2Compound-Specific ParametersParameterValueSourceVolume of distribution (% BW)    Iodide, Vdci50aVisual Fit    TSH, VdcTSH5.54Connors et al. (1984)    T4, VdcT415.6bKohn et al. (1996)    T3, VdcT318.6bDiStefano (1986)Partition coefficients (unitless)    T4—liver:blood, PLT41.27Escobar-Morreale et al. (1996)    T3—liver:blood, PLT34.47Escobar-Morreale et al. (1996)Permeability area cross-products (l/h/kg0.75)    T4—liver blood to liver tissue, PALcT40.0423Optimized    T3—liver blood to liver tissue, PALcT30.1699Optimized    Iodide—thyroid blood to thyroid tissue, PATci0.0001Merrill et al. (2003)Affinity constants (nmol/l)    Iodide—thyroid NIS, Kmi31519Gluzman and Niepomniszcze (1983); Merrill et al. (2003)    TSH—thyroid NIS, KTSHNIS0.949Optimized    Iodide—iodide organification in thyroid, Kbi244.59Optimized    TSH—iodide organification in thyroid, KbTSH733.98Optimized    T4—liver type I 5′-deiodinase, KmT4DI2300Leonard and Visser (1986)    T4—liver glucuronidation, KmT4UGT1 × 105Visser et al. (1993)    T4—liver uptake, KmT4LU650Blondeau et al. (1988)Maximum velocities (nmol/h/kg0.75)    Iodide—thyroid NIS, VmaxTci5738.267Optimized    Iodide—iodide organification in thyroid, VmaxBci1005.9cOptimized    T4—liver type I 5′-deiodinase, VmaxcT4DI19.89Optimized    T4—liver glucuronidation, VmaxcT4UGT3435.89Optimized    T4—liver uptake, VmaxcT4LU4384.73OptimizedT3—first-order liver uptake, kmT3LU (l/h)1.25OptimizedClearance values    Iodide—urinary excretion, ClUci (l/h/kg0.25)0.0046Optimized    TSH—Vd clearance, kelcTSH (/h/kg0.25)1.8899Lemarchand-Beraud and Berthier (1981)    T4—Vd metabolism, kelcT4 (/h/kg0.25)0.05dAbrams and Larsen (1973)    T3—Vd metabolism, kelcT3 (/h/kg0.25)0.12dAbrams and Larsen (1973)    T3—liver metabolism, kmetLcT3 (/h/kg0.25)3.65Optimized    T3—fraction of liver T3 metabolism excreted in feces, FT3feces (unitless)0.30Visually FitTSH/thyroid hormone production parameters    Thyroid hormone production constant, kTSHIB (l2/nmol/h)5 × 10−7Visually Fit    Maximum rate of TSH production in the absence of T4, kTSH0 (nmol/h/kg0.75)6Connors et al. (1984)    T4 concentration for half-maximal TSH production, Kinh_T4 (nmol/l)0.2OptimizedaIodide Vd used in the model was calculated by subtracting VTc from Vdci.bVd for T4 and T3 were calculated by subtracting VLc from VdcT4 and VdcT3, respectively.cScaled by dividing by BW0.75. See footnote 1.dCalculated from serum half-life using kel = ln 2/t1/2.The Vd for T4, T3, and TSH were obtained from literature, as shown in Table 2, and the volume of the liver was subtracted from the Vdc for T4 and T3. The Vd for T4 (VdcT4, 15.6% BW) was obtained from the thyroid hormone model developed by Kohn et al. (1996), whereas the Vd for T3 (VdcT3, 18.6% BW) was used as estimated by DiStefano (1986) with a simple compartmental model for T3. A TSH Vd (VdcTSH, 5.54% BW) was used as reported by Connors et al. (1984).Clearance terms to account for metabolism in the Vd for TSH, T4, and T3 were calculated from literature values using the relationship(18)where t1/2 (h) is the serum half-life of the compound reported as 0.3667 h for 125I-TSH (Lemarchand-Beraud and Berthier, 1981) and 6 and 12 h for T3 and T4, respectively (Abrams and Larsen, 1973).Affinity constants, Km(s), for metabolism and active transport of iodide and T4 were obtained from the literature (Table 2). The affinity constant for thyroid iodide transport by the NIS (Kmi) of 3.1 × 104 nmol/l was the average value reported by Gluzman and Niepomniszcze (1983), using radiolabeled iodide and euthyroid human and porcine thyroid cells. The affinity constant for active uptake of T4 into the liver (KmT4LU) of 650 nmol/l was reported by Blondeau et al. (1988) using rat hepatocytes. Michaelis-Menten saturable metabolism of T4 in the liver was described for the phase II glucuronidation and deiodination pathways. The saturable metabolism of T4, by type I 5′-deiodination, was described assuming that one molecule of T3 is formed and one molecule of free iodide is released for each molecule of T4 metabolized. Phase II metabolism of T4 (formation of T4-G) occurs by a reaction catalyzed by uridine diphosphate glucuronyl transferases. The Km value for the type I 5′-deiodinase metabolism of T4 (KmT4DI, 2300 nmol/l) was obtained from Leonard and Visser (1986) from in vitro metabolic studies, and the Km for the formation of T4-G (KmT4UGT, 1 × 105 nmol/l) was taken from Visser et al. (1993) in vitro studies in Wistar rat liver microsomes. For each of these saturable metabolic processes, the Km values were derived from the literature, and Vmax values were optimized to fit serum kinetics of T4 that resulted in values that were close to the literature reported radiotracer data for fraction of T4 metabolized to T3 (14–27%, DiStefano et al., 1982) and fraction of T4 excreted in feces (10–38%, DiStefano and Sapin, 1987; Nguyen et al., 1993).When submodels were combined to form the BBDR-HPT axis model, endogenous production of TSH was described as shown in Equation 13. The maximal rate of TSH production (k0TSH) was set to the maximum value (6 nmol/h) of TSH secretion reported by Connors et al. (1984) 14 days after thyroidectomy in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (Table 2).Parameter optimization.Model parameters not available in literature were first optimized to fit each radiotracer data set (125I, 131I-T4, and 125I-T3, described in supplementary data); then when the models were linked to form the BBDR-HPT axis model, parameters were reoptimized to fit euthyroid, steady-state, iodide-sufficient (20 μg iodide/day) conditions. Volume of distribution for iodide (Vdci, 50% BW) and the linear rate term for thyroid hormone production (kTSHIB, 5 × 10−7 l2/nmol/h) were determined from visual fits. Global optimization was performed for model parameters in the BBDR-HPT axis model. During this optimization, all model parameters were optimized at steady state, for euthyroid and iodide-sufficient (20 μg I/day) conditions (serum and liver T4 and T3, serum TSH, serum-free iodide, and total thyroidal iodide). Additional data for metabolism were included in the optimization, as described previously. Optimization of model parameters was performed using acslXtreme Parameter Estimation version 2.4.0.11 (Aegis Technologies).Model Performance AnalysisThe predictive ability of the model was determined by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) ratios for each metric (serum T4, serum T3, serum TSH, and total thyroid iodide), as described by Gustafson et al. (2002). To determine the AUC predicted/measured (P/M) ratio, the BBDR-HPT axis model–predicted AUC was divided by the data-derived AUC for each of the four data sets (Figs. 2–4) tested under iodide-deficient conditions. The AUC P/M ratio calculation was:(19)where AUCpredicted is the model-predicted AUC for serum T4, T3, TSH, or total thyroid iodide and AUCexperimental is the corresponding data-derived AUC. Average AUC P/M ratios were calculated for each metric and overall model performance.FIG. 2.Short-term effects of feeding a low iodide diet (0.35 μg I/day) on serum thyroid hormones and total thyroid iodide of adult male HSD rats. Rats began a low iodide intake of approximately 0.35 μg I/day on day 0 and continued for 26 days (Riesco et al., 1977). Model simulations are represented by lines for serum T4 (, ng/ml), T3 (, ng/ml), TSH (, fold change), and total thyroid 127I (, μg). Data for serum T4 (□ ± SD), T3 (▪ ± SD), TSH (○), and total thyroid 127I (• ± SD) were adapted from Riesco et al. (1977).FIG. 3.Long-term effects of a low iodide diet (0.33 μg I/day) on serum thyroid hormones and total thyroid iodide of adult male (A) SA and (B) HSD rats. On day 0, rats began a low iodide intake of approximately 0.33 μg I/day and continued for 84 days (Okamura et al. 1981a). Model simulations are represented by lines for serum T4 (, ng/ml), T3 (, ng/ml), TSH (, fold change), and total thyroid 127I (, μg). Data were adapted from Okamura et al. (1981a) for serum T4 (▾ ± SD), T3 (▪ ± SD), TSH (○), and total thyroid 127I (• ± SD).FIG. 4.Long-term effects of a low iodide diet (1.14 μg I/day) on serum thyroid hormones and total thyroid 127I of adult male HSD rats. On day 0, rats were administered a low iodide diet providing 1.14 μg I/day and continued for 96 days (Okamura et al., 1981b). Model simulations are represented by lines for serum T4 (, ng/ml), T3 (, ng/ml), and total thyroid 127I (, μg). Data for serum T4 (▾ ± SD), T3 (▪ ± SD), and total thyroid 127I (• ± SD) were adapted from Okamura et al. (1981b).Sensitivity AnalysisAn analysis of model parameter sensitivity under steady-state conditions was determined for predicted serum concentrations of T4, T3, and TSH and total thyroidal iodide content. Normalized sensitivity coefficients (NSCs) were calculated that represent a fractional change in output corresponding to a fractional change in the parameter (Clewell et al., 2000; Merrill et al., 2003; Tornero-Velez and Rappaport, 2001). Model parameters were increased by 1% and the model executed using iodide-sufficient (20 μg/day) and iodide-deficient (1 μg/day) intakes. The NSCs were calculated using the equation:(20)where A equals the model prediction (serum T4, T3, TSH, or total thyroid iodide) with a 1% increase in parameter value, B is model prediction with original parameter value, C is parameter value increased by 1%, and D is original parameter value.Application of BBDR Model to Iodide DeficiencyStudies were available that provided weekly to monthly time-course information on iodide deficiency–induced HPT axis alterations (Okamura et al., 1981a,b; Riesco et al., 1977). In one case, recovery from iodide deficiency (Fukuda et al., 1975) was reported. These papers contained the most complete experimental data sets (iodide content of the diet, serum T4, T3, TSH, and total thyroid iodide). Many other studies prior to 1970 have been conducted; however, they were considered incomplete for modeling purposes. Average daily iodide intake was calculated by multiplying food consumption (20 g/day assumed when not reported for the study) by the iodide content in the diet (μg/g). To compare across studies, we have reported the intakes as micrograms iodide per day. The iodide deficiency data sets simulated using our BBDR-HPT axis model are briefly described below.Riesco et al. (1977) provided adult male Holtzman-Sprague-Dawley (HSD) (120 g) rats a low iodide diet resulting in intake of 0.3–0.4 μg I/day for a short-term iodide deficiency study. They determined serum T4, T3, TSH, and total thyroid iodide after 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 15, and 26 days of feeding the low iodide diet. An average intake of 0.35 μg I/day was used in model simulation. A longer time course for HPT response of rats maintained on a low iodide diet was reported by Okamura et al. (1981a). Adult male Simonsen Albino (SA) and HSD rats were divided by strain and provided a low iodide diet of 0.3–0.36 μg I/day (15–18 μg I/kg chow). Average intake of 0.33 μg I/day was used in model simulation. Measurements of serum T4, T3, TSH, and total thyroid iodide were obtained after 0, 14, 28, 56, and 84 days of feeding the low iodide diet. SA rats appeared to display a greater sensitivity or degree of HPT axis response to the low iodide diet than the HSD rats. In another study by Okamura et al. (1981b), they examined the opposing effects of iodide and nutritional deficiency, by administering two different low iodide diets (ICN Remington and Teklad Remington). The ICN Remington diet was not considered. Adult male HSD rats (139 g) were administered the Teklad Remington (57 ng I/g or 1.14 μg I/day, nutritionally adequate) diet and killed on days 19, 33, 63, and 96 of treatment for measurements of serum T4, T3, TSH, and total thyroid iodide. No baseline TSH levels were reported; thus, fold change in serum TSH levels were not used in this study. Fukuda et al. (1975) evaluated the recovery of the HPT axis in rats that were placed on iodide supplement after a low iodide diet. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (400–500 g) were placed on an iodide-deficient diet of 0.6 μg I/day (30 μg I/kg chow) for 7 months and then provided 2 or 8 μg I/day for 9 days in drinking water. The average iodide intake during the recovery period was 2.6 or 8.6 μg I/day. Serial blood samples were taken, and measurements of serum T4 and TSH were obtained 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9 days during supplementation. A wide range of serum TSH concentrations were observed at the onset of iodide supplementation, and some serum T4 concentrations were reported as nondetectable. The data sets for the recovery period were expressed as percent of baseline.RESULTSDietary Iodide BBDR-HPT Axis Model—Model Calibration and Simulation of Steady-State Euthyroid, Iodide-Sufficient ConditionsWhen the radiotracer submodels were linked to create the BBDR-HPT axis model by including the production of thyroid hormones (Equations 14–17), metabolism of thyroid hormones, recycling of freed iodide, and the T4/TSH negative feedback loop (Equation 13), as shown in Figure 1, an adequate description of the euthyroid, steady-state iodide-sufficient (20 μg I/day) condition was not readily achieved. For example, predictions of serum iodide were too low, liver concentrations of T3 and T4 were too high, and serum T4 concentrations were too high, which resulted in under-predicted serum TSH concentrations (simulations not shown). Therefore, the submodel parameter values obtained to predict serum clearance kinetics of trace amounts of radiolabeled iodide, T4, T3, and TSH (supplementary data) were adjusted. This was not completely unexpected for describing endogenous masses of thyroid hormones, dietary iodide, and TSH. Thus, a global optimization of model parameters for the BBDR-HPT axis model was performed, and final model parameters are shown in Table 2. The calibrated steady-state euthyroid, iodide-sufficient model predictions for a 320-g rat are shown in Table 3. Total thyroid and free serum iodide, serum TSH, serum and liver T4, and serum and liver T3 model predictions fall within the range for normal rats reported in literature.TABLE 3Steady-State Iodide-Sufficient Model Predictions Compared to Laboratory DataHPT Axis IndexUnitsData ± SDModel PredictedTotal thyroidal iodideμg15 ± 3a17.5Free serum iodideμg/dl7.3 ± 0.3, 10 ± 1.4b9.7–15.6cSerum T4ng/ml40.6 ± 11.3a39.4Liver T4ng/g18.7, 23.2, 25.5d21.8Serum T3ng/ml0.46 ± 0.1e0.46Liver T3ng/g3.7, 4.9, 5.7d4.5Serum TSHng/ml6.5 ± 2.5a6.3a McLanahan et al. (2007).b Eng et al. (1999).c A range is reported because of the daily fluctuation predicted in serum iodide, resulting from the assumption that the rats consume chow 12 h of the 24-h day.d Morreale de Escobar et al. (1994).e Unpublished data.Iodide Deficiency HPT Axis SimulationsUsing the BBDR-HPT axis model parameter values, globally optimized for euthyroid iodide-sufficient steady-state conditions, the ability of the model to predict temporal changes in serum thyroid hormones (T4 and T3), TSH, and total thyroidal iodide was tested for iodide-deficient conditions. HPT axis disturbances caused by feeding an iodide-deficient diet of 0.35 μg I/day for 26 days (Riesco et al., 1977) is depicted in Figure 2 for adult male HSD rats. Serum T4 concentrations gradually decreased in a parallel fashion with thyroidal iodide stores, while only a slight change in serum T3 concentrations occurred. Serum TSH concentrations increased over 10-fold during the study period. After 15 days of administration of the low iodide diet, the thyroidal iodide stores were severely depleted. The BBDR-HPT axis model predictions of serum thyroid hormones were in agreement with observed values. The predicted thyroidal iodide stores were slightly overpredicted initially and near the end of the study. Serum TSH increases were predicted during the first 11 days and then moderately overpredicted by day 15. In severe iodide-deficient conditions, when thyroidal iodide stores were predicted to be below 1 μg, oscillations in serum TSH and T4 and thyroidal iodide occurred because of assumptions about dietary intake of iodide. Next, the capability of the BBDR-HPT axis model to predict changes during administration of 0.33 μg I/day administered for 84 days to adult male SA and HSD rats (Okamura et al., 1981a) was tested (Fig. 3). The SA strain (Fig. 3A) exhibited a greater sensitivity, shown by the rapid increase in TSH compared to the HSD strain (Fig. 3B). The BBDR-HPT axis model predicted the change in TSH better for the SA rats than the HSD rats. Serum T3 concentrations were predicted to be lower than suggested by the data.BBDR-HPT axis model simulations for an iodide-deficient diet of 1.14 μg I/day administered to adult male HSD (Okamura et al., 1981b) are depicted in Figure 4. The initial decrease in thyroidal iodide stores and the apparent recovery after 60 days suggests adaptive responses, such as the negative feedback loop. The BBDR-HPT axis model predictions also suggest this as evidenced by an increase in predicted thyroidal iodide stores and little decline in serum thyroid hormones after 25 days. At a dietary intake of 1 μg/day, this strain of adult rat has some ability to compensate for low iodide intake. Predictions of serum T3 were slightly underpredicted. Finally, the BBDR-HPT axis model was used to simulate recovery of the HPT axis in rats rendered iodide deficient for 7 months (Fukuda et al., 1975) with an average daily iodide intake of 0.6 μg/day (Fig. 5). On day 0 of the recovery phase, the rats were supplemented with iodide in drinking water to provide total intake of either 2.6 or 8.6 μg I/day. The BBDR-HPT axis model slightly overpredicted day 1 increases in serum T4 following iodide supplementation for both doses, while the remaining predicted serum T4 and TSH concentrations agreed with observations.FIG. 5.Recovery from iodide deficiency in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a low iodide diet for 7 months. After 7 months on a low iodide diet (0.6 μg I/day), rats were supplemented with iodide to provide total intake of approximately 2.6 μg I/day (black) or 8.6 μg I/day (dark gray) beginning on day 0 and continuing for 9 days (Fukuda et al., 1975). Model simulations of serum T4 (solid lines) and TSH (dashed lines) are compared with recovery data modified from Fukuda et al. (1975) for serum T4 (•, 2.6 μg I/day; ○, 8.6 μg I/day) and serum TSH (▾, 2.6 μg I/day; ▿, 8.6 μg I/day). Data expressed as percent of baseline recorded at day 0.Model Performance AnalysisThe predictive ability of the model to describe iodide deficiency was evaluated using AUC P/M ratios described by Gustafson et al. (2002). A value near 1.0 indicates agreement between model predictions and data observations. The AUC P/M ratios ranged from 0.37 to 2.27 for four metrics (serum T4, T3, TSH, and total thyroid iodide) across four iodide deficiency data sets (Figs. 2–4). The average AUC P/M ratios for each metric were 0.77, 0.54, 1.52, and 1.47 for serum T4, T3, TSH, and total thyroidal iodide, respectively. Taken together, the overall average AUC P/M ratio for the BBDR-HPT axis model predictive performance was 1.08.Sensitivity AnalysisThe sensitivity analysis of the BBDR-HPT axis model was carried out for steady-state serum concentrations of T4, T3, and TSH, and total thyroid iodide content for an iodide-sufficient intake of 20 μg I/day and iodide-deficient intake of 1 μg I/day. None of the parameters are associated with NSCs greater than 1.0, suggesting that there is minimal amplification of error from the inputs to the model outputs (Clewell et al., 2000). Total amount of thyroidal iodide predictions were most affected by a 1% change in the volume of the thyroid (VTc) (NSC = 0.99) under iodide-sufficient conditions and an NSC of 0.98 under iodide-deficient conditions. The parameters that play a major role in the retention of thyroidal bound iodide were more sensitive under iodide-sufficient conditions (VmaxBci, 0.94 and KbTSH, −0.93) for the prediction of total thyroid iodide than iodide-deficient conditions (both less than 0.01). A 1% change in the thyroid hormone production constant (kTSHIB) also reflected similar sensitivity of the total amount of iodide in the thyroid with NSCs of −0.95 and −0.96 under iodide-sufficient and -deficient conditions, respectively. Evaluation of the sensitivity analysis shows that the basal rate of TSH production (k0TSH) is more influential under iodide-deficient conditions (total thyroid iodide, NSC = −0.73; serum TSH, NSC = 0.89) than iodide-sufficient conditions (total thyroid iodide, NSC = 0.01; serum TSH, NSC = 0.49). Overall, serum T4 and T3 were much less sensitive than total thyroid iodide and serum TSH to a 1% change in model parameters.DISCUSSIONThe intent of this research was to develop a first generation BBDR model for the HPT axis in the adult rat using serum thyroxine (T4) and TSH levels to control the TSH-mediated thyroidal uptake of dietary iodide and the production and secretion of thyroid hormones. This parsimonious approach represents the simplest model structure to describe the negative feedback loop and, for now, ignores protein synthesis rates. This approach was successful, with some exception, in describing HPT axis changes that occurred over days to months (steady-state conditions) for data sets from several laboratories. The dominant negative feedback control of T4 on TSH was described (Equation 13), along with the stimulation of TSH on thyroidal iodide uptake (Equations 1–2) and subsequent thyroid hormone production (Equation 14).Adult rats excrete approximately 95% of a daily iodide-sufficient intake (normal laboratory intake of 20 μg I/day) according to our model simulations. Urinary iodide levels arise from metabolism of thyroid hormones, as well as excess iodide provided in the diet. The normal adult rat stores 12–18 μg iodide (McLanahan et al., 2007), and model predictions estimate that rats utilize about 1.4 μg I/day in thyroid hormone production under normal, euthyroid conditions. Furthermore, under iodide-sufficient conditions, our model predicts that 85% of the daily T3 production is derived from T4 metabolism, with the remaining (15%) produced in the thyroid. This is in agreement with others who suggest that at least 80% of the daily T3 production occurs as a result of T4 metabolism in a euthyroid system (Burger, 1986).The BBDR-HPT axis model was tested for its ability to predict changes in serum T4, T3, TSH, and total thyroid iodide during administration of low iodide diets. The model predicted the temporal response (over days to months) for decreases in serum T4 and increases in serum TSH resulting from the lack of available iodide for thyroid hormone production in an acceptable manner with some exceptions. Across all studies, the predictions of serum T3 was less consistent with the experimental data compared to other predicted endpoints. However, our model does agree with literature data such that the percent of daily T3 production in the thyroid increases significantly under iodide-deficient conditions (Abrams and Larsen, 1973; Greer et al., 1968). The percent of overall T3 production in the thyroid is predicted to increase from 15% (iodide-sufficient 20 μg I/day intake) to 25% as iodide intake rate decreases to 1 μg/day and 45% at an iodide intake rate of 0.35 μg/day. Model predictions during steady-state iodide deficiency (1 μg I/day) suggest that the percent of daily iodide intake excreted in urine decreases to about 65% and only 0.67 μg of iodide is utilized in daily thyroid hormone production. Thyroid iodide stores are severely depleted to about 20% (2.8 μg) of euthyroid, iodide-sufficient values, resulting in a decrease of over 50% in serum T4 concentrations.Using the BBDR-HPT axis model to evaluate dietary intake of iodide under steady-state conditions, a sharp decline in serum T4 is predicted to occur when dietary intake is less than 2 μg I/day even in the presence of significant TSH stimulation of the thyroid (Fig. 6). Others have reported that laboratory rats require an iodide intake greater than 2 μg I/day to maintain euthyroid status (Pedraza et al., 2006).FIG. 6.Iodide dose-response plot for serum T4 and TSH. BBDR-HPT axis model was used to determine steady-state serum T4 and TSH concentrations over a wide range of iodide intakes, intakes ranged from insufficient (0–2 μg I/day) to sufficient (> 2 μg I/day).Comments on the First-Generation BBDR-HPT Axis ModelSeveral feature of the HPT axis were not included in the present model, for example, protein synthesis, thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH), or metabolites of thyroid hormones (reverse T3, T2, T1, or thyroid hormone conjugates other than T4-glucuronide). Physiological changes were not included that occur during long-term iodide deficiency and hypothyroidism. For example, structural changes in the thyroid (Colzani et al., 1999), increases in thyroid blood flow (Michalkiewicz et al., 1989), and altered biological activity of thyroid hormone–metabolizing enzymes (Janssen et al., 1994; Obregon, et al., 2005; Pedraza et al., 2006) were not accounted for in this model iteration. TRH, secreted by the hypothalamus, stimulates release of TSH from the pituitary, while circulating T4 and T3 inhibit both TRH and TSH synthesis and release (Fail et al., 1999; Simpkins et al., 1976). Our model does not explicitly describe TRH effect on TSH; however, the BBDR-HPT axis model relates serum T4 levels to the TSH output from the pituitary, which implicitly includes TRH effects. There are no time-course data for TRH changes under iodide deficiency or following exposure to thyroid active compounds; thus, it is not possible to adequately describe TRH mathematically for euthyroid, steady-state or perturbed systems.A challenge in the development of this model was relying on published HPT axis data sets that varied dramatically. For example, reported TSH values for adult male Sprague-Dawley rats range from 4.6 ± 0.49 ng/ml to 8.73 ± 0.81 ng/ml (McLanahan et al., 2007), approximately 15–20 ng/ml (Siglin et al., 2000), 327 ± 174 ng/ml (Okamura et al., 1981a), to a high of 440 ± 220 ng/ml (Lemarchand-Beraud and Berthier, 1981). Several factors may contribute to this variability including, time of sampling, weight of animal, and radioimmunoassay analytical method, and standards employed. Thus, in reporting our model results, we reported TSH as fold change to normalize and compare model simulations with more data sets. Most of the iodine deficiency studies occurred prior to 1990, and many methods for analysis of thyroid hormones, TSH, and iodide have evolved since their publication. Another significant concern is verification of iodide and iodine in the rat chow. This amount can vary significantly between batches of rodent chow (Naeije et al., 1978). Unfortunately, the actual iodide and iodine concentrations in rodent chow is not usually measured by laboratories.The development of this model was initiated with the ultimate goal of integrating it with PBPK models for thyroid toxicants to interpret dose-response characteristics of HPT axis–mediated toxicity. Thyroid toxicants are defined as compounds, which alter serum thyroid hormone and TSH concentrations (Zoeller and Tan, 2007). The role of dietary iodide intake and the ability of anions to disturb the HPT axis will be explored with this first generation model and then expanded to include thyroid active chemicals that act by other modes of action.Future studies to support continued development of the BBDR-HPT axis model should include time-course studies after perturbation of the HPT axis to capture changes in endogenous iodide, serum TSH, T4, and T3, and thyroid hormones in tissues, such as the liver and regions of the brain. Time scales for intra- and extrathyroidal changes in protein synthesis and activity need to be explored in further detail. To this end, Kogai et al. (1997) have demonstrated that changes in NIS mRNA in FRTL-5 cells occur much faster (6 h) than protein expression (36 h) in response to TSH exposure. In vitro studies are also needed to better understand endogenous synthesis rates of TSH and thyroid hormones and metabolic clearance rates.SUPPLEMENTARY DATAThe supplementary data includes details of the radiotracer submodel development for 125I, 125I-TSH, 125I-T3, and 131I-T4, as well as model simulations for these stand alone submodels. The submodels developed and presented in supplementary data were used to test the model structure and obtain preliminary model parameters for the linked BBDR-HPT axis model. The model parameters optimized for radiotracer submodels (Table 1S) were used with the model structures depicted in Figure 1S for simulations shown in Figure 2S. These model parameters were reoptimized to euthyroid, steady-state iodide-sufficient conditions in the dietary iodide BBDR-HPT axis combined model. Supplementary data are available online at http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/.FUNDINGUnited States Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results research grant (RD83213401-0); United States Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results Fellowship (FP-91679301-0 to E.D.M).The authors extend special thanks to Dr Kyung O. Yu for providing experimental data sets for use in radioiodide model development. Sincere thanks to Dr Jerry L. Campbell, Jr, for model review. The views expressed in the manuscript are those of the authors and do not represent official opinions of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 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