Evaluation of the hypothalamic-hypophysial, thyroid, and gonadal axes before and after disulfiram administration in patients with chronic alcoholism.
We studied 14 alcoholic men without evidence of liver damage. After two weeks of alcohol abstinence, the patients were divided into two groups of seven patients each. Hypothalamic-hypophysial, thyroid, and gonadal axis tests were done on group 1 patients before disulfiram administration, and the tests were later repeated while the patients were taking disulfiram. Group 2 patients had initial testing done while taking disulfiram and repeat testing after the drug was stopped. The following abnormalities were found and were not affected by disulfiram: lack of suppression of both growth hormone and glucagon with oral glucose intake, and lack of response of follicle-stimulating hormone after administration of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone. After disulfiram administration, we noticed a blunted response of thyrotropin to thyrotropin-releasing hormone.
Ramirez
G
G
Department of Internal Medicine, Tampa Veterans Administration Medical Center, FL.
Ables
M F
MF
Butcher
D E
DE
Morris
A D
AD
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007980:Levodopa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011897:Random Allocation; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects*
D007328:Insulin; D013739:Testosterone; D007980:Levodopa; D005934:Glucagon; D004221:Disulfiram