Acute effects of interferon-alpha administration on testosterone concentrations in healthy men

Abstract

Objective: Recombinant human interferon alpha (rhIFN-a) is used therapeutically in malignant disorders and chronic hepatitis. The present study was assessed to study the effects of rhIFN-a on the hypothalamic±pituitary±testicular (HPT) axis. Design and methods: We performed a saline-controlled cross-over study in six healthy men, sequentially measuring the serum concentrations of gonadotropins, testosterone, the free androgen index (FAI) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) after a bolus subcutaneous injection of rhIFN-a. Results: rhIFN-a induced a sustained decrease of both testosterone (from 19.5 6 1.88 to a nadir of 5.49 6 0.51 nmol/l at the end of the study) and FAI (from 98.7 6 14.7 to a nadir of 32.1 6 5.3 at the end of the study), whereas concentrations of LH, FSH and SHBG were not different between the two studies. Conclusions: Our results suggest that rhIFN-a affects the HPT axis at the testicular level, either directly or indirectly, and changes feedback relationships between the pituitary and the testis.

Sexual dysfunction in males with chronic hepatitis C and antiviral therapy: interferon-induced functional androgen deficiency or depression?

“…We confirmed, however, that differences are not due to changes in SHBG levels. This is consistent with the findings of Corssmit et al (2000). We are aware that the best measures for bioavailable testosterone are represented by either concentrations of free testosterone measured by equilibration dialysis assays or free testosterone calculated from albumin and SHBG levels (Christ-Crain et al 2004a).…”

“…In accord with Barreca et al (1993) and Corssmit et al (2000), we observed a significant decline of free and total testosterone serum concentrations within the normal range over time. As testicular function is known to be controlled by gonadotropins (LH, FSH) and is affected by prolactin, we evaluated the time course and concentrations of gonadotropins and prolactin.…”

“…The assessment of interferon-induced changes in sex hormone serum levels has been so far limited to small studies (Barreca et al 1993, Kauppila et al 1997, Corssmit et al 2000, Weidinger et al 2002, case reports or animal models (Hibi et al 1997, Montor et al 1998.…”

Potential role of type I interferons in the treatment of pituitary adenomas

“…However, subcutaneous administration of IFN-α2b (5 MIU/m 2 ) to healthy men induced an acute decrease in both testosterone and free androgen index without no alterations in plasma gonadotropins within 12 h after injection [49]. The same was found by Orava et al [50], who reported a decrease in serum testosterone concentration during daily injections of IFN-α (1.5-3 MIU) for 4 to 10 days in three healthy men.…”

“…In healthy volunteers and patients with various diseases (chronic viral hepatitis, multiple sclerosis) type I IFNs had no effect on LH and FSH concentrations before and after stimulation with LH releasing hormone [23,34,37,49]. However, subcutaneous administration of IFN-α2b (5 MIU/m 2 ) to healthy men induced an acute decrease in both testosterone and free androgen index without no alterations in plasma gonadotropins within 12 h after injection [49].…”