Study on the correlationship between serum levels of sex hormones and Th1/Th2 cytokines in male patients with graves' disease

Objective: To explore the effect of sex hormones on the balance of Th1/Th2 in male patients with GD through investigation of changes of serum levels of sex hormones and cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-4) after treatment. Methods: Serum levels of E2, testosterone, FSH, LH (with RIA) and IFN-γ, IL-4 (with ELISA) were determined in 42 male patients with Graves' disease (both before and after 12 weeks of successful antithyroid therapy) and 40 controls. Results: The levels of E2, T, LH, FSH in the patients before treatment were significantly higher than those in the controls (P<0.05). After treatment the levels all decreased, approaching those in controls. The serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ were also significantly higher than those in controls (P<0.05) before treatment. After treatment the levels of IL-4 decreased, approaching normal, while the levels of IFN-γ were still significantly higher. Multiple regression analysis showed that the level of E2 was an independent fator affecting the levels of IL-4, and showed positive correlationship. The level of T was an independent factor affecting the levels of IFN-γ, also showed positive correlationship. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ were independent factors to each other, and there was negative correlationship between them. Conclusion: There were changes in levels of sex hormones and imbalance of Th1/Th2 in male patients with Graves' disease. The sex hormones might have some effect on Th1/Th2 balance in male patients with GD. (authors)