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Acute adrenocortical stimulation by recombinant gamma interferon in human controls
F Holsboer1, G K Stalla, U von Bardeleben
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, FRG.
Life Sciences
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Recombinant gamma-interferon (rec-gamma-IFN) boosts cortisol release in healthy males, not by increasing ACTH. This suggests rec-gamma-IFN stimulates lymphoid cells to activate the adrenal cortex.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Neuroendocrinology
Background:
- Recombinant gamma-interferon (rec-gamma-IFN) is a cytokine with diverse biological functions.
- The interaction between the immune system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is complex and not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of rec-gamma-IFN on corticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol secretion in healthy individuals.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which rec-gamma-IFN influences the HPA axis.
Main Methods:
- Administration of 20 micrograms of rec-gamma-IFN to 10 healthy male controls.
- Measurement of ACTH and cortisol levels at baseline and post-injection.
- Assessment of the suppressibility of the rec-gamma-IFN effect by dexamethasone.
- Evaluation of rec-gamma-IFN's effect on ACTH secretion from pituitary cell cultures.
Main Results:
- Rec-gamma-IFN significantly enhanced cortisol secretion, peaking approximately 3 hours post-injection.
- The enhanced cortisol secretion was suppressible by dexamethasone.
- No significant increase in ACTH secretion was observed following rec-gamma-IFN administration.
- Rec-gamma-IFN did not stimulate ACTH secretion in pituitary cell cultures.
Conclusions:
- Rec-gamma-IFN appears to stimulate cortisol secretion indirectly, likely via activation of lymphoid cells.
- These activated lymphoid cells may release an unknown substance that directly stimulates the adrenal cortex.
- The HPA axis exhibits feedback regulation in response to rec-gamma-IFN-induced activation.