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Published on: January 15, 2011
Increased interleukin-2 levels during standard TRH test in man
J Komorowski1, H Stepień, M Pawlikowski
1Institute of Endocrinology, Medical University of Lódź, Poland.
Insights
Pituitary hormones like TSH and PRL influence immune system activation. The TRH test showed increased TSH, PRL, T3, T4, and IL-2, while the MCP test elevated PRL but not interleukins.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Neuroendocrinology
Background:
- Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine involved in immune regulation and hormone secretion.
- Cytokines (IL-1, IL-6) and pituitary hormones (TSH, PRL) can stimulate IL-2 production.
- The interplay between pituitary hormones and immune system activation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role of pituitary hormones in immune system activation.
- To assess the impact of TRH and metoclopramide (MCP) on immune markers and hormone secretion.
Main Methods:
- Standard diagnostic tests: TRH test (0.2 mg) in 8 healthy subjects and oral MCP test (10 mg) in 8 females with galactorrhea.
- Measurements included PRL, TSH, T3, T4, IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-6.
- Peak responses were analyzed for both tests.
Main Results:
- TRH test: significant increases in TSH, PRL, T3, T4, and IL-2.
- MCP test: significant increase in PRL, but no changes in interleukin concentrations.
- These findings suggest a link between pituitary hormone release and immune responses.
Conclusions:
- Pituitary hormones play a role in modulating immune system activation.
- TRH stimulation leads to increased thyroid hormones and IL-2 production.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the neuroendocrine-immune axis interactions.
Abstract:
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a pluripotential cytokine that, besides its role in the regulation of immunocompetent cells function, also stimulates hormone secretion. On the other hand, several factors, including cytokines (interleukin-1, IL-1; interleukin-6, IL-6) and pituitary hormones (thyrotropin, TSH; prolactin, PRL), exert stimulatory effects on T-cell connected IL-2 production. In order to evaluate the role of both pituitary hormones in the activation of the immune system, the following two standard diagnostic tests were performed: TRH test (0.2 mg) in 8 healthy human subjects (4F/4M) aged 18-50 years, and oral metoclopramide (MCP) test (10 mg) in 8 females with galactorrhea and regular menstruation aged 18-52 years. The mobilization (peak response) of PRL, TSH, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4), IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6 in TRH test, and PRL, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6 for MCP test were evaluated. The responses of TSH (2.0 +/- 0.3 vs 12.3 +/- 2.2 microlU/ml, p < 0.01), PRL (15.3 +/- 2.3 vs 46.4 +/- 8.8 ng/ml, p < 0.01), T3 (178.0 +/- 16.4 vs 248.7 +/- 21.1 ng/dl, p < 0.001), T4 (7.9 +/- 0.4 vs 9.6 +/- 0.5 micrograms/dl, p < 0.001), and IL-2 (45.6 +/- 7.8 vs 79.9 +/- 16.4 fmol/ml, p < 0.05) in TRH test were noted. The peak response of PRL (16.3 +2- 2.6 vs 107.7 +/- 22.4 ng/ml, p < 0.01) in MCP test was also observed, but without any changes in interleukin concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
