title: Short-term treatment with the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A decreases HPA axis activity and plasma noradrenaline levels in healthy male volunteers.
abstract: Treatment with the selective calcineurin inhibitor and immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) is associated with neurotoxicity and neurocognitive impairments. Whether and to what extent CsA is inducing alterations of the neuroendocrine status is unknown so far. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of short-term CsA treatment on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and catecholamine release as well as state anxiety in healthy male subjects. Treatment with CsA significantly reduced plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and noradrenaline whereas adrenaline levels and state anxiety remained unaffected. Future studies should analyze the mechanisms of CsA-induced effects on neuroendocrine variables, neurocognitive functions and mood.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albring
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wendt
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Engler
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. Electronic address: benjamin.wilde@uk-essen.de.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wilde
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Witzke
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schedlowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced*; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D064368:Healthy Volunteers / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine
keywords: Calcineurin inhibitor; Cyclosporine A; Neuroendocrine parameters; Neuropsychological changes