Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of the heroin addicts on rat’s thyroid C cells, the secretion of calcitonin(CT) and serum FT3, FT4, TSH. Methods Adulthood 55 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group(NCG), saline control group(SCG) and heroin dependence group(HDG). Heroin-dependent rat models were set up by the way of subcutaneous injection of heroin and the thyroid glands were excised on the 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, and 38th days after models were set up. Tissues were assessed by immunohistochemical SABC method, cell counting, image analysis method and chemiluminescence techniques. Result Compared with the normal control group(NCG)and saliane control group( SCG), the immune staining intensity was weakened; the number of CT positive cells was reduced(EM>P/EM><0.05); the average gray value was significantly higher(EM>P/EM><0.05) and showed a gradual increase in the CT positive cells of heroin dependence group(HGD). The concentration of TSH in HDG was not statistically significant as compared with the NCG. The concentration of FT3 in HDG decreased gradually on the 10th day and the 17th day as compared with the NCG.(EM>P/EM><0.05). The concentration of FT4 in HDG increased gradually on the 24th day and the 38th day as compared with the NCG.(EM>P/EM><0.05). Conclusion During heroin dependence period, the number and functional of CT positive cells has decreased. The changes of concentration of FT3 and FT4 suggest that the function of thyroid gland has changed.

Key words: Calcitonin, FT3, FT4, TSH, Thyroid gland, Heroin dependence, Immunohistochemistry, Rat