title: Endocrine effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In addition to well-documented endocrine properties of interleukins, hemopoietic growth factors could also exert hormonal activities. In fact, our previous studies have shown that GM-CSF may stimulate cortisol and GH release. In contrast, few data only are available about the possible effects of G-CSF. This study was carried out to investigate endocrine effects of G-CSF in cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 8 cancer patients who were investigated after G-CSF (0.3 mg subcutaneously) or during saline infusion alone as control by collecting venous samples at zero time and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. Serum levels of cortisol, GH, PRL, FSH. LH, TSH and melatonin were measured by the RIA method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The circadian rhythm of cortisol was not influenced by G-CSF. No significant differences in mean levels of GH, PRL, FSH or LH were seen after G-CSF and during saline infusion. Both TSH and melatonin decreased after G-CSF, without, however, significant differences with respect to the values seen on saline alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that G-CSF has no substantial endocrine affects in humans. Therefore, G-CSF would differ from GM-CSF not only for its hemopoietic properties, but also from an endocrine point of view.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio Analisi, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rovelli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tancini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ardizzoia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lissoni
mesh_terms: D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor