HORMONES IN SELF-TOLERANCE AND AUTOIMMUNITY - A ROLE IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Recent studies indicate that pituitary hormones play an important role in immunoregulation. The evidence that endocrine abnormalities are as sociated with, and may contribute to the development of autoimmune dis ease is reviewed and discussed. Patients suffering from rheumatoid art hritis show a number of endocrine abnormalities that indicate altered pituitary function. The decreased bioactivity of prolactin and possibl e inadequate glucocorticoid response to inflammation found in patients may have an etiological role in rheumatoid arthritis. The further cla rification of the possible role of endocrine factors in the etiology o f autoimmune disease is needed urgently.