title: Interferon-alpha-2-induced stimulation of ACTH and cortisol secretion in man.
abstract: Short-term effects of interferon-alpha 2 on plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured in man in relation to interferon absorption. Interferon-alpha 2 was given subcutaneously at a dose of 3 x 10(6) IU at 17.00 h to 2 female and 5 male patients who suffered from chronic hepatitis B infection and who had not previously been treated with interferon. Plasma levels of ACTH, cortisol and interferon-alpha were determined at 30-min intervals between 16.00 and 24.00 h. In each patient a similar cortisol, ACTH and interferon-alpha profile was determined on a day, when no interferon-alpha treatment was given. Interferon-alpha plasma levels peaked around 21.30 h, i.e. 4.7 h after injection. In each patient ACTH and cortisol levels were increased. As calculated from the areas under the curves, ACTH release was increased by an average of 332% (maxima at about 22.00 h, i.e. 5.2 h post injection); cortisol release was increased by an average of 311% (maxima at about 23.00 h, 5.8 h post injection). These actions were not related to side effects like fever or other flu-like symptoms. Our findings confirm that in man as in animals interferon-alpha 2 can act as a mediator between the immune and endocrine system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, FRG.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hammes
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hiemke
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hess
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone