CIRCULATING GONADAL AND ADRENAL STEROIDS IN AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: POSSIBLE MARKERS OF SUSCEPTIBILITY AND OUTCOME

GARGIULO MONACHELLI GM; SIVORI M; MEYER M; SICA REP; DE NICOLA AF; GONZALEZ DENISELLE M.C

HORMONE AND METABOLIC RESEARCH

GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG

Año: 2014 vol. 46 p. 1 - 8

0018-5043

Changes of some circulating steroids have been reported in patients with sporadicamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but a full comparison of the adrenal and gonadalsteroid profile between ALS patients and controls has not be performed. Considering thatrespiratory failure is one frequent cause of death in ALS, we searched, as well, for therelationship between those steroids and some respiratory parameters. Serum levels ofadrenal and gonadal steroids were measured in 52 age -and gender- matched subjects(28 ALS and 24 controls) using radioimmunoassay techniques. We also evaluatedrespiratory parameters in ALS patients [forced vital capacity FVC%, maximal inspiratorypressure MIP% and maximal expiratory pressure MEP% ] at the time of blood samplecollection. Steroid levels and ratios were correlated with respiratory parameters.Compared to controls, increased levels of testosterone were demonstrated in female ALSpatients. With increasing age, testosterone declined in controls but not in ALS patients.Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate/cortisol ratio showed a positive correlation with FVC%,MIP% and MEP%. Higher total testosterone and free testosterone, as well as lowerprogesterone/free testosterone ratio levels, were associated with a rapid worsening of themonthly FVC%. The present study shows that circulating gonadal and adrenal steroids aredifferentially expressed in ALS patients relative to controls and that they could influencerespiratory outcome in patients. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or progesterone mayprovide a protective function, while others like testosterone or cortisol probably have anegative influence.