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The effect of long-term treatment with recombinant interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-alpha 2b) on luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, free testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was evaluated in 7 male patients suffering from chronic viral hepatitis. The drug was given three times a week for 6 months in a single standard dose of 3 x 10(6) units. Hormone evaluations were performed in basal conditions and every 2 months for 12 months. Serum testosterone values decreased after IFN treatment, reaching the lowest levels at the 6th month. However, testosterone values did not fall below the normal range. Serum SHBG concentrations, which were above the normal range in basal conditions, also decreased after IFN. Serum-free testosterone and LH concentrations did not change during IFN therapy. IFN-alpha 2b at the dose and schedule employed was not responsible for any measurable imbalance in male sex hormones.

A chronobiological study was carried out in 6 male patients (67–71 years), suffering from Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) and 6 male patients (52–74 years) suffering from multi-infarct dementia (MID), to evaluate their 24-hour β-endorphin and cortisol secretory patterns. Six healthy male adults (28–37 years) and 6 healthy elderly male subjects (78–84 years) constituted the control groups. Blood samples were drawn every 4 h from 8.00 to 20.00 h and every 2 h from 24.00 to 6.00 h. Mean 24-hour β-endorphin levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the ATD patients (39.2 ± 1.5 ng/l) than in the other groups (33.8 ± 1.1,30.1 ± 1.6 and 33.2 ±1.1 ng/l in the elderly subjects, the adults and the MID patients, respectively). The circadian rhythm was absent in the ATP patients, in the elderly subjects and the MID patients. No differences in plasma cortisol circadian rhythm were observed among the four groups. Our data indicate that changes in circulating β-endorphin concentrations and circadian pattern may be due to the aging process.

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