title: Testicular Sertoli cell function in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: To assess the testicular Sertoli cell function according to inhibin B levels in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and the possible effect of anti-TNF therapy on this hormone production, 20 consecutive AS patients and 24 healthy controls were evaluated. At study entry, AS patients were not receiving sulfasalazine/methotrexate and never have used biological/cytotoxic agents. They were assessed by serum inhibin B levels, hormone profile, urological examination, testicular ultrasound, seminal parameters, and clinical features. Ten of these patients received anti-TNF treatment and they were reevaluated for Sertoli function and disease parameters at 6 months. Four of them agreed to repeat sperm analysis. At study entry, the median of inhibin B (68 vs. 112.9 pg/mL, p = 0.111), follicle-stimulating hormone levels (3.45 vs. 3.65 IU/L, p = 0.795), and the other hormones was comparable in AS patients and controls (p > 0.05). Sperm analysis was similar in AS patients and controls (p > 0.05) with one AS patient presenting borderline low inhibin B levels. Further analysis at 6 months of the 10 patients referred for anti-TNF therapy, including one with borderline inhibin B, revealed that median inhibin B levels remained stable (116.5 vs. 126.5 pg/mL, p = 0.431) with a significant improvement in C-reactive protein (27.8 vs. 2.27 mg/L, p = 0.039). Sperm motility and concentration were preserved in the four patients who repeated this analysis after TNF blockage. In conclusion, this was the first study to report, using a specific marker, a normal testicular Sertoli cell function in AS patients with mild to moderate disease activity.
authors: Division of Rheumatology of Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Breno Pires
authors: BP
authors: Almeida
authors: Carla Gonçalves Schahin
authors: CG
authors: Saad
authors: Fernando Henrique Carlos
authors: FH
authors: Souza
authors: Julio Cesar Bertacini
authors: JC
authors: Moraes
authors: Lucia Akemi
authors: LA
authors: Nukumizu
authors: Vilma Santos Trindade
authors: VS
authors: Viana
authors: Eloísa
authors: E
authors: Bonfá
authors: Clovis Artur
authors: CA
authors: Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein