RESUMO
The functional status of pituitary-gonadal hormones and their relationship to the pattern of inflammatory cytokines in the lepromatous (LL/BL) and tuberculoid (TT/BT) poles of leprosy were investigated. Gonadotropins [luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)], interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were significantly higher in LL/BL leprosy patients than in controls and were not different from controls in TT/BT patients. LH and FSH were positively correlated with IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and CRP concentrations and ESR. Testosterone plasma levels were significantly decreased in LL/BL patients and not different in TT/BT patients compared with controls. In addition, testosterone levels were inversely correlated with IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Prolactin plasma levels of both LL/BL and TT/BT patients were not different when compared with those of controls. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF-alpha plasma levels and ESR and CRP concentrations. IL-1beta was positively correlated with ESR but not with CRP. The significant correlations between gonadotropins and testosterone and cytokines in leprosy patients suggest that cytokines may have a direct influence at testicular level and may be of pathogenetic significance in leprosy and in other inflammatory states involving reproductive dysfunction.
Assuntos
Citocinas/sangue , Gonadotropinas Hipofisárias/sangue , Hanseníase/sangue , Adulto , Sedimentação Sanguínea , Proteína C-Reativa/análise , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Hormônio Foliculoestimulante/sangue , Humanos , Interleucina-1/sangue , Interleucina-6/sangue , Hormônio Luteinizante/sangue , Masculino , Prolactina/sangue , Testosterona/sangue , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/análiseRESUMO
The functional status of adrenocortical hormones and their relationship to the pattern of inflammatory cytokines in the lepromatous and tuberculoid poles of leprosy were investigated. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plasma levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) were significantly higher in LL/BL (lepromatous) leprosy patients than in control subjects. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF-alpha plasma levels and ESR and CRP concentrations. IL-1beta was positively correlated with ESR but not with CRP. Both baseline and stimulated adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol plasma levels were not different between patients and control subjects. In contrast, adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) plasma levels were significantly lower in leprosy patients than in sex-matched control subjects. There was a significant inverse correlation between DHEA-S and IL-6, TNF-alpha, and CRP concentrations. This finding may be of pathogenetic significance in this disease and in other inflammatory states.
Assuntos
Corticosteroides/sangue , Interleucinas/sangue , Hanseníase/sangue , Hanseníase/imunologia , Hormônio Adrenocorticotrópico/sangue , Adulto , Sedimentação Sanguínea , Proteína C-Reativa/análise , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Sulfato de Desidroepiandrosterona/sangue , Humanos , Hidrocortisona/sangue , Interleucina-1/sangue , Interleucina-6/sangue , Hanseníase Dimorfa/sangue , Hanseníase Dimorfa/imunologia , Hanseníase Virchowiana/sangue , Hanseníase Virchowiana/imunologia , Hanseníase Tuberculoide/sangue , Hanseníase Tuberculoide/imunologia , Masculino , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/análiseRESUMO
The functional status of adrenocortical hormones and their relationship to the pattern of inflammatory cytokines in the lepromatous and tuberculoid poles of leprosy were investigated. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plasma levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) were significantly higher in LL/BL (lepromatous) leprosy patients than in control subjects. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF-alpha plasma levels and ESR and CRP concentrations. IL-1beta was positively correlated with ESR but not with CRP. Both baseline and stimulated adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol plasma levels were not different between patients and control subjects. In contrast, adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) plasma levels were significantly lower in leprosy patients than in sex-matched control subjects. There was a significant inverse correlation between DHEA-S and IL-6, TNF-alpha, and CRP concentrations. This finding may be of pathogenetic significance in this disease and in other inflammatory states.