The effects of gonadotropin treatment on the immunological features of male patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


The effects of gonadotropin treatment on the immunological features of male patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Jan;85(1):66-70. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/20097831
Yesilova Z; Ozata M; Kocar IH; Turan M; Pekel A; Sengul A; Ozdemir IC; Department of Internal Medicine, Gulhane School of Medicine,; Etlik-Ankara, Turkey.

Abstract: There is a significant line of evidence for a role of androgens in the modulation of the immune system. However, little is known about immunological features of male patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) and the potential effects of gonadotropin treatment. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of selected soluble immune parameters [IgA, IgG, IgM, C3c, C4, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-4], the CD4+/CD8 ratio, and counts of total lymphocyte and some subpopulation of lymphocytes (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ cells) before and after gonadotropin treatment in men with IHH. Twenty-nine IHH patients and 19 age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. The patients were treated with human menopausal gonadotropin/hCG for 6 months. The pretreatment levels of serum Igs, C3c, IL-2, and IL-4 in the patients were significantly higher than those in the controls (P<0.001 for all). After treatment, all Igs (P<0.001), C3c (P<0.01), and IL-2 and IL-4 levels (P<0.005) were decreased significantly compared to pretreatment levels. Pretreatment lymphocyte counts (P<0.05); the percentages of CD3+ cells (P<0.001), CD4+ cells (P< 0.001), and CD19+ cells (P<0.001); and the CD4/CD8+ ratio in the patient group were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in the controls. After treatment, the lymphocyte count (P<0.001); CD3+ (P<0.01), CD4+ (P<0.001), and CD19+ (P<0.005) cells; and the CD4-/CD8+ ratio (P<0.001) were decreased, but CD8+ cells were increased significantly (P<0.001). In summary, lack of testosterone action results in the enhancement of cellular and humoral immunity. The results of this study allowed us to conclude that testosterone deficiency affects both cell-mediated and humoral immunity, and these may be modulated with gonadotropin therapy in male patients with IHH.
Keywords: CLINICAL TRIAL JOURNAL ARTICLE Adult Blood Cell Count Complement 3c/METABOLISM Complement 4/METABOLISM CD4-CD8 Ratio Gonadotropins/*DEFICIENCY/*THERAPEUTIC USE Hormones/BLOOD Human Hypogonadism/*DRUG THERAPY/*IMMUNOLOGY Immunoglobulins/BLOOD Interleukin-2/BLOOD Interleukin-4/BLOOD Lymphocyte Count Male Testosterone/BLOOD

KWDclinicaltrialjournalarticleadultbloodcellcountcomplement3c/metabolismcomplement4/metabolismcd4-cd8ratiogonadotropins/KWDdeficiency/KWDtherapeuticusehormones/bloodhumanhypogonadism/KWDdrugtherapy/KWDimmunologyimmunoglobulins/bloodinterleukin-2/bloodinterleukin-4/bloodlymphocytecountmaletestosterone/blood
000430
A0040798

Copyright © 2000 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2000. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .