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Testosterone
Evidence from basic and clinical studies suggests that testosterone has an immunomodulatory
as well as a potential neuroprotective effect that could be beneficial in MS.
Methods:
Ten male MS patients were treated with 10 g of gel containing 100 mg of testosterone
in a cross-over design (6 month observation period followed by 12 months of treatment).
Blood samples were obtained at three-month intervals during the observation and the
treatment period.
Isolated blood peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to
examine lymphocyte subpopulation composition by flow cytometry and ex vivo protein
production of cytokines (IL-2, IFNgamma, TNFalpha, IL-10, IL-12p40, TGFbeta1) and
growth factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF, platelet-derived growth factor
PDGF-BB, nerve growth factor NGF, and ciliary neurotrophic factor CNTF). Delayed
type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin recall tests were obtained before and during treatment
as an in vivo functional immune measure.
Isolated blood peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to examine lymphocyte subpopulation composition by flow cytometry and ex vivo protein production of cytokines (IL-
Results: Testosterone treatment significantly reduced DTH recall responses and induced
a shift in peripheral lymphocyte composition by decreasing CD4+ T cell percentage
and increasing NK cells. In addition, PBMC production of IL-2 was significantly decreased
while TGFbeta1 production was increased.
Furthermore, PBMCs obtained during the treatment
period produced significantly more BDNF and PDGF-BB.
Conclusion: These results are
consistent with an immunomodulatory effect of testosterone treatment in MS.
In addition,
increased production of BDNF and PDGF-BB suggests a potential neuroprotective effect.
Furthermore, PBMCs obtained during the treatment period produced significantly more BDNF and PDGF-
Author: Stefan M Gold, Sara Chalifoux, Barbara S Giesser and Rhonda R Voskuhl
Source: Journal of Neuroinflammation 2008, 5:32 (01/08/08)
Comment:
What this report suggests is that testosterone may be helpful although no indication of its potential benefit for women with MS has been assessed? More women then men are diagnosed with MS and the numbers are increasing.