title: Neuroendocrine effects of interferon alpha 2-a in healthy human subjects.
abstract: The acute effects of interferon alpha-2a (3 x 10 IU im) on catecholamine and immunoreactive beta endorphin plasma levels, cortisol serum levels and lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor density were evaluated in ten healthy volunteers. Interferon induced a significant increase in plasma norepinephrine; there was an increased norepinephrine standing response, too. On the contrary, epinephrine standing response was reduced by interferon. Lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptors decreased significantly after interferon administration; dissociation constant of binding was unchanged. Cortisol serum levels increased significantly with respect to control test, whereas immunoreactive beta endorphin did not change. These results support the hypothesis of functional relationships between neuroendocrine and immune systems; moreover they may be useful in clinical trials given the administration of interferon alpha in an increasing number of diseases.
authors.affiliation: Medical Pathology R and Clinical Methodology, ISMI, University of Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pende
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Musso
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vergassola
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Puppo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ioverno
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Criscuolo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Indiveri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006854:Hydrocortisone