Short-term sequential analysis of sex hormones and helper T cells type 1 (Th1) and helper T cells type 2 (Th2) cytokines during and after multiple sclerosis relapse.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease with a clear sex-bias that may be attributed to sex hormones, sex' linked genes or both. Here we sought to determine the evolution pattern of cortisol and sex hormones at MS relapse and 2-months later in 7 male patients with relapsing remitting MS, and whether there was a correlation with a specific Th1 and Th2 cytokine pattern. Our findings indicate the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the concomitant upregulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines during relapse. The further increase of sex hormones, in particular estradiol in our male MS patients suggest their possible implication in the physiopathology of the illness and a putative anti-inflammatory and neuroreparatory effect.
de Andrés
Clara
C
Department of Neurology, University General Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain. jamarti@eresmas.net
Rodríguez-Sáinz
M Carmen
MC
Muñoz-Fernández
M Angeles
MA
López-Lazareno
Nieves
N
Rodríguez-Mahou
Margarita
M
Vicente
Angeles
A
Fernández-Cruz
Eduardo
E
Sánchez-Ramón
Silvia
S
D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000276:immunology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones