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ABSTRACT: The levels of 10 unconjugated and 5 sulphurylated neutral steroids were assayed following chromatographic purification by radioimmunoassay procedures in the blood plasma obtained simultaneously from the left spermatic vein and cubital vein of 13 patients with varicocele.The levels of all unconjugated steroids as well as those of sulphurylated pregnenolone and sulphurylated testosterone were significantly higher in the spermatic vein than in the cubital vein.The ratios of the levels in spermatic to peripheral blood were highest in the case of testosterone (68.1), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (61.2) and androstenedione (14.7) and lowest in the case of cortisol (1.3), suggesting that the former three steroids represent major secretory products of the human testis.The levels of pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone in spermatic vein were significantly correlated to those in the cubital vein.The peripheral plasma levels of 17-hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone in varicocele patients exhibiting severe oligospermia were significantly lower than those found in their normospermic counterparts. The levels of progesterone in the spermatic vein blood were also significantly lower in the oligospermic than in the normospermic group.The results indicate that in man, there is a significant relationship between the spermatogenic process and the profile of steroids secreted by the testes.
International Journal of Andrology 06/2008; 1(1‐6):297 - 307. · 3.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Only one-fifth of chronic alcoholic patients develop chronic liver disease in spite of continuous alcohol abuse. Hepatitis C has been proposed to be one of several suggested factors contributing to the development of liver disease.
In 201 consecutive chronic alcoholic patients admitted to the hospital for detoxification, antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) were determined, using second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) tests. Sera from patients with antibodies were tested with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect HCV RNA and subsequently genotyped.
Twenty-nine patients (14%) were positive in the ELISA and RIBA tests. HCV RNA was detected in 23 of the 29 (79%); 21 could be genotyped. Previous intravenous drug abuse was present in 18 of 29 (58%) in the positive group versus 3 of 172 (2%) in the negative group (p < 0.001), whereas the prevalence of previous blood transfusions did not differ between the groups. In one-third of the positive cases no obvious route of transmission was found. On the basis of clinical and biochemical variables and, if available, histology, altogether 6 of 29 (21%) HCV-positive patients were classified as having severe liver disease as compared with 12 of 172 (7%) HCV-negative patients (p < 0.05). HCV-positive patients with liver disease were younger than HCV-negative patients with liver disease (p < 0.05).
Hepatitis C virus infection is common among chronic alcoholic patients in Stockholm, especially among patients with a history of intravenous drug abuse. To confirm ongoing infection, detection of HCV RNA is necessary. This infection seems to be a factor contributing to the development of liver disease in alcoholic patients.
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 11/1995; 30(11):1113-8. · 2.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (D-MPA, 250 mg) and testosterone enanthate (TE, 200 mg) were administered twice with a 4-week interval to nine healthy men, and the levels in blood of steroids, gonadotrophins, lipoproteins, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and prostaglandins (PGs) were measured, as well as steroid levels in semen and the sperm count and motility. The hormones analysed were: MPA, testosterone, androstenedione (A), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), oestradiol (E2), cortisol (C), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the sulphoconjugated forms (-S) of testosterone, DHT, pregnenolone (5-P) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Peak values of MPA (10.2 +/- 4.6 nmol/l) and testosterone (28.0 +/- 10.0) were found in the first blood samples 2 days after each injection. Thereafter the levels of MPA decreased gradually and reached the limit of detection 18-20 weeks after the second injection. Blood levels of testosterone fell sharply from the peak values and were grossly subnormal 2 weeks after each injection; levels did not return to pretreatment values during 24 weeks of follow-up. The pattern of change of DHT, A, E2 and sulphonated androgens was similar to that of testosterone. These data suggest that D-MPA and TE are absorbed at similar rates, and that the TE is metabolized rapidly. The subsequent reduction in the levels of A, testosterone-S and DHT-S was less marked and reached pretreatment values earlier than did the testosterone levels. No obvious changes were found in the levels of C, 5-P-S and DHEA-S or in the seminal plasma levels of the various steroids studied. The blood levels of LH and FSH fell precipitously 2 days after the first injection, then started to increase 4 weeks after the second injection to reach pretreatment values 12 weeks later. Of the lipoproteins studied only the levels of HDL-cholesterol and SHBG were found suppressed after treatment. Severe oligozoospermia and the complete absence of progressively motile sperm, in at least one semen sample, was observed in all subjects at 3-7 and at 5-16 weeks, respectively, after the last injection, suggesting that the men were infertile for at least 1 month after treatment. A spurious increase in the PG content of semen was also observed. In spite of the low blood testosterone levels, no subject reported changes in sexual behaviour or other signs of anabolic imbalance during or after the study. However, the increase in levels of E2 in some individuals should be kept in mind as a possible cause of side-effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
International Journal of Andrology 09/1988; 11(4):265-76. · 3.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have investigated the interrelationship of the levels of 10 steroids in peripheral venous, spermatic arterial and spermatic venous blood, and in tissue specimens from the epididymis, vas deferens and testis from 8 patients who underwent orchidectomy for pathological conditions of the reproductive organs. The steroids analyzed by radioimmunoassay were: pregnenolone (5-P), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-P), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the sulpho-conjugated forms (-S) of 5-P, DHEA, T and DHT. The quantitatively major steroids in peripheral venous blood were, in order of magnitude, DHEA-S, 5-P-S, DHT-S, T-S and T. No difference was observed between the levels of any of the steroids measured in peripheral venous and spermatic arterial blood. With the exception of DHEA-S and DHT-S, the levels of all steroids in spermatic venous blood were substantially higher than in peripheral venous blood (P less than 0.001). No correlation was found between steroid levels in spermatic venous and peripheral venous blood. Steroid concentrations in tissue from the epididymis, vas deferens and testis were markedly higher than in peripheral venous blood (P less than 0.01 to P less than 0.001), except for the levels of DHEA-S which were about equal in the various blood and tissue specimens. Tissue to blood ratios varied from approximately 2.0 to 500 according to the steroid in question. The peripheral blood levels of 5-P-S, DHEA-S and DHT-S were substantially higher than respective unconjugated steroid levels (P less than 0.001); the ratios (sulpho-conjugated to unconjugated) were approximately 17, 215 and 30, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
International Journal of Andrology 09/1986; 9(4):241-9. · 3.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The effect of vasectomy on the steroid profile of seminal plasma was studied in 19 healthy men at 4-monthly intervals during a 2-year post-vasectomy period. The steroids analyzed by radioimmunoassays were: androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), oestradiol (E2) and the sulphoconjugated forms of pregnenolone (delta 5P-S), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S), testosterone (T-S), dihydrotestosterone (DHT-S), oestrone (E1-S) and oestradiol (E2-S). The quantitatively most important steroids present in the seminal plasma were DHEA-S, delta 5P-S and DHT-S. Vasectomy resulted in a significant but non-progressive reduction in DHT (40%) and T (23%) levels. The levels of E2, delta 5P-S and DHT-S also exhibited a smaller reduction following vasectomy. No significant changes were observed in the levels of the other steroids studied. The results are interpreted as suggesting that under normal conditions the bulk of the steroids present in the ejaculate is contributed by the accessory reproductive organs. In addition, a significant part of the DHT and T reach the ejaculate together with the sperm directly from the testis and/or epididymis. It is suggested that the normal steroid levels in seminal plasma established in this investigation could serve as reference values in the hormonal evaluation of male infertility.
International Journal of Andrology 05/1983; 6(2):116-24. · 3.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In order to re-assess the possible hormonal consequences of male sterilization, the peripheral plasma levels of lutropin (LH) follitropin (FSH), and dihydrotestosterone sulphate (DHT-S) were measured in a group of 20 healthy men at weekly intervals in the month before and at bimonthly intervals up to 2 years after vasectomy. In addition, the levels of 14 steroids of gonadal and/or adrenal origin were measured before, and then every second month (12 subjects) or every sixth month (8 subjects) following vasectomy. No significant alterations were observed in the levels of any of the hormones studied. The results are interpreted as indicating that in the first 2 years following vasectomy in men there is no consistent or progressive change in the peripheral plasma levels of gonadotrophins or in a variety of steroids of testicular and/or adrenocortical origin.
International Journal of Andrology 05/1983; 6(2):125-34. · 3.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In 24 apparently healthy men who requested sterilization by vasectomy, we have measured the intratesticular and peripheral plasma levels of 9 unconjugated and 5 sulphoconjugated steroids. These steroid levels were then compared with those found in a group of 18 men, admitted to the hospital with complaints of infertility. With the exception of higher dihydrotestosterone levels in the infertile group, no differences were found between the two groups with regard to the peripheral plasma levels of the unconjugated or sulphoconjugated steroids studied. On the other hand, the intratesticular levels of cortisol, pregnenolone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, pregnenolone sulphate and testosterone sulphate (but not those of testosterone) were significantly diminished in the infertile group. With the exception of dehydroepiandrosterone levels in the fertile group, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and dihydrotestosterone sulphate in the infertile group, the intratesticular steroid levels were uncorrelated with the plasma levels. The data are interpreted as suggesting that a) male infertility may be associated with intratesticular alterations of steroid metabolism which are not reflected by the peripheral steroid levels; b) the plasma and intratesticular levels of testosterone are not sensitive enough indices for the endocrine evaluation of male infertility; c) the role of the sulphoconjugated forms of steroids in the maintenance of male fertility deserves further investigation.
International Journal of Andrology 09/1982; 5(4):367-78. · 3.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Using radioimmunoassay method, we have estimated the levels of cortisol (C), pregnenolone (delta 5P), 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17-OH-delta 5P), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-P), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in peripheral plasma samples collected at short-time (15 min) intervals from 10 fertile men, during two 4-h periods (06.00 to 10.00 and 18.00 to 22.00). In addition, the levels of biologically active luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by an in vitro bioassay method in 9 of the subjects. The levels of all steroids studied exhibited diurnal variation with higher levels during the morning and lower levels during the evening period. The cortisol and the delta 5-steroid levels also exhibited individual short-term episodic spikes during the 2 periods. No short-term variation was observed in the levels of 17-OH-P, A, T and DHT. Statistically significant correlations were found between the levels of C and those of the delta 5-steroids and A in most of the subjects. No correlation was found between the above steroid levels and those of 17-OH-P, T and DHT. Also the LH levels exhibited episodic spikes of 60 to 90 min duration, but no diurnal variation. When the LH levels were related to those of T found in the same samples or in samples withdrawn 15 to 810 min afterwards, a significant positive correlation was found on repeated occasions in 5 of the 9 subjects. No systematic negative correlation was found when the T levels were related to those of LH in the same sequential fashion. Whereas the positive correlations found between LH and T levels in some of the subjects might suggest that physiological changes in peripheral LH levels are instrumental in regulating T-secretion, the rather consistent lack of significant negative correlation between T and LH levels seems to favour the view that the release of LH is not modulated by peripheral testosterone levels alone.
International Journal of Andrology 11/1981; 4(5):532-45. · 3.59 Impact Factor
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Contraception 11/1979; 20(4):377-96. · 2.72 Impact Factor
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Acta endocrinologica 01/1978; 86(4):851-64.
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ABSTRACT: Type A behavior was assessed in 30 men and 30 women (ages 30-50) by a Videotaped Structured Interview (VSI). Scores for total Type A behavior as well as subcomponents (competitiveness, time urgency, hostility) were examined in relation to cardiovascular and neuroendocrine reactivity during a work day (change from a work-free day) and during laboratory-induced stress (change from resting condition). In addition, Type A and Type B males and females were compared with regard to total serum cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. The results showed relationships between 1) competitiveness/hostility and physiological reactivity at work in men, 2) total Type A behavior (and hostility) and serum cholesterol in men, and 3) hostility and serum cholesterol in women. As expected, the association between Type A behavior and physiological measurements was more pronounced for "extreme" Type A and B men and women (upper and lower 10 subjects, respectively) than for the total groups of each sex.
Psychosomatic Medicine 51(2):113-22. · 3.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) in the blood and tissues of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
DHEAS levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in blood from 112 patients with IBD: 46 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 66 with Crohn's disease. The levels were compared with those in 80 healthy controls. In addition, DHEAS concentrations were measured in gut tissue from 40 patients (28 patients with IBD and 12 with other bowel disorders) who had undergone gut surgery. Correlation analyses were carried out between the blood and tissue levels of DHEAS.
The mean levels of DHEAS in the blood were markedly lower in the two patient groups (1350 nmol/l in UC and 1850 nmol/l in Crohn's disease vs. 3300 nmol/l in controls; p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively). A diminution below the confidence limits of the controls (< 2500 nmol/l) was found in 37 (79%) of the patients with UC and in 49 (74%) of those with Crohn's disease. The remainder had DHEAS levels within the normal range (> 2500 nmol/l). The overall mean DHEAS concentration in gut tissue was 226 nmol/kg. A significant correlation was found between levels in the blood and those in tissues (correlation coefficient = 0.469; p < 0.002).
These data indicate that low blood DHEAS is a feature in a majority of patients with UC or Crohn's disease. The possibility that there is a functional relationship between low DHEAS levels and some of the pathophysiologic features of IBD needs to be investigated.
Clinical and experimental rheumatology 16(5):579-82. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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Journal of endocrinological investigation 2(2):131-7. · 1.57 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To assess the relationship between blood and tissue steroid levels, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in blood and joint tissues from a group of patients with RA (N = 29) ranging in age from 26 to 80 years (mean 63, SD: 13) and another group with secondary osteoarthritis (OA; N = 23), ranging in age from 47 to 86 years (mean 66, SD: 9), all of whom were scheduled for surgical correction of joint dysfunction. Seventeen of the RA patients were on steroid treatment at the time of the study. Assessing all the patients together, it was found that the tissue concentrations of DHEAS very closely paralleled the blood levels (r = 0.875; p < 0.001). The mean blood and tissue concentrations of DHEAS were found to be significantly reduced in RA, compared to those in OA (geometric means 540 vs. 2100 nmol/l blood, respectively, and 160 vs. 420 nmol/kg tissue, p < 0.001). Individual data indicated, however, that: (a) 3/29 patients with RA exhibited normal levels; (b) the reduction was more accentuated in those patients on steroid treatment; and (c) 5/23 patients with OA, who were treated for cardiovascular disorders, also had reduced DHEAS levels. Significant differences were not found between the mean cortisol levels in RA and those in OA, nor was there a correlation between the blood and tissue levels of this steroid. The possible influence of reduced DHEAS levels on immune-mediated diseases and/or pathophysiology is unknown, and needs to be investigated.
Clinical and experimental rheumatology 11(6):597-601. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Litter-mate adult male rats were treated with daily intramuscular injections of ACTH (10.5 micrograms), dexamethasone (2.0 mg), ethynyl estradiol (1.7 micrograms) and hCG (5 IU) for three consecutive days. The animals were sacrificed on the fourth day and the intratesticular and peripheral plasma steroid levels were analyzed. The steroids measured by radioimmunoassay included pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. In addition, the sulphoconjugated forms of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were estimated in the peripheral blood. The administration of ACTH diminished the intratesticular levels of all steroids studied. Also dexamethasone and ethynyl estradiol treatment suppressed all intratesticular steroid levels, except that of pregnenolone (the former) and of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (the latter). The suppressive effect of ethynyl estradiol was strongest on the levels of the delta 5-steroids and that of dexamethasone on the delta 4-steroids; the latter was significantly stronger than the effect of ACTH. The stimulatory effect of hCG was limited to the metabolism of progesterone and was restricted to the sequence: 17-hydroxyprogesterone----androstenedione----testosterone---- dihydrotestosterone. Dexamethasone-suppression, and hCG-stimulation of the intratesticular levels of delta 4-steroids, was mirrored by corresponding changes in the peripheral plasma levels, with the exception of the plasma levels of androstenedione which were not influenced by any of the treatments studied. Also the suppression of intratesticular testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels by ACTH, dexamethasone, or ethynyl estradiol was closely reflected by their plasma levels both in the unconjugated and sulphoconjugated forms. On the hand, the administration of ACTH diminished the intratesticular levels of pregnenolone and progesterone but significantly increased those in the plasma. Moreover, both ACTH and ethynyl estradiol reduced the levels of all delta 5-steroids in testicular tissue, but not in the peripheral plasma, although they decreased the circulating levels of pregnenolone sulphate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. The data are interpreted as suggesting that the hormonal agents studied interfere with testicular steroidogenesis through different mechanisms.
Steroids 45(3-4):235-45. · 2.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Blood levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in patients with: a) polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis (PMR:TA; N = 25), with and without cortisone derivative treatment (N = 10 and N = 15, respectively); and b) primary fibromyalgia (PF; N = 15). The mean DHEAS levels were found to be significantly reduced in PMR:TA, compared to those in PF (Geom. mean 820 vs. 2300 nmol/l, respectively; p < 0.001), and the reduction was more marked in patients on cortisone derivative treatment. The DHEAS levels found in PF were found to be normal and consistent with those previously reported in non-immune mediated rheumatological diseases such as osteoarthritis, and in healthy subjects, using the same method of analysis. The low levels found in patients with PM:TA are in accordance with those previously reported in immune-mediated diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting that diminution of DHEAS is a constant endocrinologic feature in these categories of patients. The pathophysiological significance of these low DHEAS levels needs to be investigated.
Clinical and experimental rheumatology 12(4):415-7. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In a clinical study the blood levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), pregnenolone sulphate (5-PS), testosterone sulphate (TS) and their respective unconjugated steroids were measured in: 20 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were receiving either no treatment (11 patients) or else treatment with chloroquine (9 patients), in some cases combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); in 26 patients receiving corticosteroid (Prednisolone) treatment; and in healthy men and women. The patients not on corticosteroid exhibited substantially reduced DHEAS, 5-PS and TS levels (geom. mean: 2300 vs. normal 4300 nmol/l DHEAS; 200 vs. 320 nmol/l 5-PS; and 120 vs. 360 nmol/l TS; p less than 0.001), irrespective of the difference in sex, age or chloroquine treatment. The patients on corticosteroid treatment displayed a similar pattern of levels, but the reduction was much more marked than in the patients not on the steroid (geom. mean: 610 nmol/l DHEAS, 55 nmol/l 5-PS; and 35 nmol/l TS; p less than 0.001). No consistent changes were observed in the unconjugated steroid levels, although they were also reduced by the treatment with prednisolone. The data indicate that a deficiency in sulpho-conjugated steroids is a permanent feature of patients with SLE and that this is accentuated by the administration of corticosteroid derivatives. Further studies are needed to establish the pathophysiological significance of these findings.
Clinical and experimental rheumatology 7(6):583-8. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Using radioimmunoassays (RIA) we measured the concentrations of prolactin, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), pregnenolone sulphate (5-PS) and testosterone sulphate (TS) in peripheral blood and synovial fluid (SF) from 50 patients with arthritis of the knee associated with different diagnoses. These included RA (25 cases); and psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, unspecified polyarthritis, polyarthritis and sacroilitis, and regional enteritis (25 cases). Fifty-six healthy subjects (age 19 to 60 years) were used as controls. No significant difference was found between the blood prolactin levels in patients and controls. The mean levels of cortisol, 5-PS, DHEAS and TS were significantly reduced in the patients with RA (mean 133 vs 286 nmol/l cortisol, 26 vs 80 nmol/l 5-PS, 930 vs 3290 nmol/l DHEAS and 25 vs 40 nmol/l TS; p less than 0.001 for cortisol, 5-PS and DHEAS, and p less than 0.05 for TS). The reduction was more marked in the DHEAS levels in patients with positive rheumatoid factor (RF) reactivity. Patients with diagnoses other than RA had normal levels of the various steroids except patients on steroid treatment, who also exhibited reduced levels. The 5 hormones measured in the SF were found in relatively high concentrations, parallelling those in the blood. The ratios (SF/blood) varied from 0.66 for 5-PS to 1.1 for cortisol, and the correlation coefficients between 0.66 for 5-PS and 0.94 for DHEAS (p less than 0.001). Low blood and SF levels of sulpho-conjugated steroids, particularly DHEAS, are a permanent disorder in patients with RA and positive RF reactivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Clinical and experimental rheumatology 10(1):25-30. · 2.15 Impact Factor
