Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and cytokine production in multiple sclerosis with or without interferon-beta treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate brain damage in multiple sclerosis (MS); they can also influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. We evaluated the possible abnormalities of HPA axis function in relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS).


METHODS
IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-6 production by ex-vivo lymphocytes from 10 normal volunteers and 10 RR-MS patients before and during IFN-beta therapy was assessed; pituitary-adrenal function was evaluated by means of CRH and ACTH stimulation tests.


RESULTS
In untreated patients the production of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-6 was increased, and was significantly decreased by IFN-beta. Neither basal, nor stimulated ACTH, cortisol, DHEA, DHEAs, 17-alpha-OH-progesterone levels differed between controls and RR-MS patients, both before and during treatment. Moreover, no correlation was found between endocrine and immune parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
In MS the HPA axis function seems normal and not influenced by IFN-beta treatment. This result is discussed in relation to the increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines found in this disease.
Limone
Paolopiero
P
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. paolopiero.limone@unito.it
Ferrero
B
B
Calvelli
P
P
Del Rizzo
P
P
Rota
E
E
Berardi
C
C
Barberis
A M
AM
Isaia
G C
GC
Durelli
L
L
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016899:Interferon-beta; D007371:Interferon-gamma