title: Interferon-beta treatment does not elevate cortisol in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Interferons (IFN) are used to treat cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS). High doses of IFN elevate serum cortisol, which may indirectly affect the course of either of these diseases. IFN-induced elevation of serum cortisol could speed recovery from exacerbations of MS. We find that IFN-beta at 9 or 45 MU every other day does not elevate serum or urine cortisol in MS. Clinical effects of IFN-beta in MS are likely to be direct, and not mediated indirectly through alteration of serum cortisol levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, IL 60637.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Reder
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lowy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D016899:Interferon-beta; D006854:Hydrocortisone