NEUROENDOCRINE ALTERATIONS IN UVEITIS PATIENTS

Experimental models of autoimmune uveitis are consistently associated with pinealitis. To investigate the interaction between the neuroendoc rine and immune systems in humans with uveitis, we measured serum leve ls of the predominant pineal hormone melatonin (MEL), prolactin (PRL) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). A total of 100 patients with different forms of uveitis and 30 age-matched, healthy blood donors were evaluated re trospectively. The day-time MEL was reduced significantly (P less-than -or-equal-to 0.01) in patients with iritis and iridocyclitis, and high ly significantly (P less-than-or-equal-to 0.001) in patients with inte rmediate uveitis, chorioretinitis and panuveitis. In 38% of patients d aytime MEL levels in plasma were below the limit of detection. PRL was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in patients with intermediate uveiti s. IL-2 was reduced to about 50% of control values in all groups of pa tients. The results suggest a possible neuroendocrine-immune interacti on in uveitis patients.