Does concurrent acute ethanol ingestion during omeprazole therapy affect pituitary gonadal axis in male subjects?

Literature suggests that both ethanol and omeprazole may affect the endocrine system. We studied the effect of concurrent use of ethanol and omeprazole on the pituitary gonadal axis in healthy males.

Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone levels were assessed in a fasting state before and after ingestion of 0.5 g/kg bodyweight of ethanol. Subjects then received omeprazole therapy (20 mg 2x/d for one week) followed by assessment of hormone levels before and after ethanol ingestion as done previously.

Total testosterone levels before and after ethanol at baseline declined an average of 46.6 ng/dL (n = 8; p = NS). The testosterone levels before and after ethanol following omeprazole therapy rose an average of 55.4 ng/dL (n = 8; p = NS). There was no significant difference in the change of ethanol induced testosterone concentrations as a result of omeprazole therapy. Similarly the free testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were also not affected by ethanol or omeprazole alone or in combination.

We conclude that omeprazole and/or acute ingestion of ethanol do not affect the pituitary gonadal axis in healthy male subjects.