[Size=4]Blood levels of selected hormones in patients with multiple sclerosis.[/size]
Zych-Twardowska E, Wajgt A.
Source1st Chair and Department of Neurology, Silesian Medical University in Katowice, Poland.
[Size=4]Abstract[/size]
BACKGROUND: Hormonal studies in patients with multiple sclerosis are rare and they often produce results which are difficult to interpret. These investigations, however, are becoming more and more important as they may cast some light on possible interrelationships between hormonal and immune systems. The aim of the present work was to investigate endocrine function in patients with multiple sclerosis on the basis of blood levels of selected pituitary (TSH, ACTH, GH) and thyroid hormones (T3, T4), and cortisol.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine MS subjects, including 25 menstruating women, 6 post-menopausal women and 18 men were included in the analysis. The hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay and immunoradiometric assay kids.
RESULTS: Pituitary function in respect of TSH, corticotropin and growth hormone secretion was normal. Both men and women suffering from multiple sclerosis manifested low serum T3 concentrations coexisting with normal T4 levels which may indicate changed peripheral conversion pathway of thyroid hormones. On the other hand, the disturbances in pituitary-adrenal cortex system in respect of glycocorticosteroid secretion were not observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Normal function in respect to pituitary hormones (TSH, corticotropin, growth hormone) and normal T4 level versus low serum T3 concentration may indicate changes in peripheral conversion pathway of thyroid hormones in MS patients.
[Size=4]Evaluation of endocrine profile, hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis and semen quality in multiple sclerosis.[/size]
Safarinejad MR.
SourceUrology and Nephrology Research centre, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. safarinejad@unrc.ir
[Size=4]Abstract[/size]
Several endocrine and sexual disturbances have been demonstrated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients of both sexes. The endocrine profile, hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis and semen quality were evaluated in male patients with MS. A total of 68 male MS patients aged 18 years or older were recruited. Forty-eight age-matched healthy male volunteers served as controls. All subjects underwent complete physical examination and routine semen analysis. Two blood samples were drawn from each participant at 15-min intervals for the determination of the resting levels of: luteinising-hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, oestradiol and sex hormone binding globulin. The HPT axis was assessed using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and human chorionic gonadotrophin tests. The mean basal serum levels for LH, FSH and testosterone in MS patients were significantly lower than the mean for normal controls (P = 0.01). The injection of GnRH analogue did not yield a significant increase in FSH and LH levels in the MS patients compared to normal controls (P = 0.001). Total sperm count, sperm motility and percent normal sperm morphology were lower in MS patients compared to controls. MS subjects with progressive disease had higher and more severe HPT axis abnormalities than that for patients with relapsing remitting MS. Most subjects with MS have hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism state and fertility impairment. It appears that the damage to HPT axis is both in pituitary and testicular levels. Further studies are needed to better elucidate the underlying pathophysiology of HPT axis dysregulation.
Just a reminder, ms patients were found to have low levels of allopregnanalone.