EFFECT OF R-INTERFERON-ALPHA ADMINISTRATION ON HYPOTHALAMUS-PITUITARY-THYROID AXIS IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS

Recent studies pointed out the development of autoimmune thyroid disea ses during interferon (IFN) therapy, mainly in patients with positive thyroid autoantibodies (MsAb and TgAb) before treatment. The effects o f recombinant human IFN alpha (rhIFNalpha) on thyroid function and thy roid autoantibodies were studied in 12 patients with chronic active he patitis associated with virus B or C, selected on the basis of negativ e results for MsAb and TgAb. No significant variation in T3, T4 and TS H levels was observed either after the first administration of rhIFN a lpha (3 million IU i.m.) or after three months of therapy (3 million I U i.m. 3 times a week). TSH response to TRH was in the normal range ei ther before or after the therapy. The absence-of MsAb and TgAb was con firmed in all the patients at the end of the treatment. These results indicate that no patient developed thyroid disorder during IFN therapy . Nevertheless, since positive MsAb and TgAb have been considered as a risk factor for thyroid diseases in patients selected for IFN therapy they should be carefully assessed for autoantibodies before undergoin g IFN treatment.