ENDOCRINE EVALUATION IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH INTERFERON-ALPHA FOR CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C

The aim of our study was to evaluate the hormonal profile in a group o f 31 subjects who underwent recombinant interferon-a therapy for chron ic active hepatitis C. Hormonal determinations were performed before t reatment began and at the end of the 3rd and 6th months of therapy. Fr ee-T-4 concentrations, though remaining in the normal range, showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) after 3 and 6 months of therapy compa red with pretreatment levels. A lesser decrease in free-T-3 levels was also seen. TSH basal values did not show any variation, while an incr eased secretory response to TRH stimulation was observed at the end of the 6th month. Thyroglobulin and calcitonin levels remained normal, w hile an increase in antithyroglobulin and antithyreoperoxidase antibod y levels was observed in 4 patients (12.9%). No modifications in the o ther pituitary hormones or in adrenal and sex steroid concentrations w ere noticed. A significant increase in IGF-I concentrations (p < 0.05) was observed during treatment, and an inverse correlation was seen be tween IGF-I and alanine aminotransferase levels (p < 0.01). This study supports the view that interferon treatment can influence thyroid fun ction. The increase in IGF-I concentration observed during therapy may reflect an improvement in patients with hepatic disease, but a direct stimulatory effect of interferon on IGF-I secretion cannot be exclude d.