Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 70, 566-571, Copyright © 1990 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Evidence of endocrine involvement early in the course of human immunodeficiency virus infection

JA Merenich, MT McDermott, AA Asp, SM Harrison and GS Kidd
Department of Medicine, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado 80045-5001.

Adrenal, gonadal, and thyroid function were assessed in 40 asymptomatic subjects in whom infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) had recently been documented. None of the patients had historical or clinical evidence of endocrine dysfunction. Their mean serum hormone levels were also within the expected ranges, but several differences were noted compared to those of seronegative controls. Basal cortisol, basal aldosterone, and ACTH-stimulated cortisol were significantly lower in the HIV group. One subject (2.5%) had a subnormal cortisol response, and two (5%) had abnormal aldosterone responses to ACTH. PRA tended to be higher, and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels somewhat lower in the HIV group. Serum free testosterone was markedly elevated in the HIV patients and was associated with an exaggerated LH response to GnRH, but PRL, estradiol, and basal and peak GnRH- stimulated FSH did not differ between groups. Three subjects (8%) had subclinical hypothyroidism. Serum thyroid hormone levels were normal, but basal T3 was lower in the HIV group compared to control values. While of little immediate clinical importance, many subtle endocrine aberrations are evident very early in the course of HIV infection. These findings obtained in HIV-seropositive subjects without infections or tumors and who were not receiving medical therapy suggest an effect of HIV on each of the endocrine systems examined.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Bongiovanni, F. Adorni, M. Casana, F. Tordato, C. Tincati, P. Cicconi, T. Bini, and A. d. Monforte Subclinical hypothyroidism in HIV-infected subjects J. Antimicrob. Chemother., November 1, 2006; 58(5): 1086 - 1089. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Habasque, F. Aubry, B. Jegou, and M. Samson Study of the HIV-1 receptors CD4, CXCR4, CCR5 and CCR3 in the human and rat testis Mol. Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2002; 8(5): 419 - 425. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Dejucq and B. Jegou Viruses in the Mammalian Male Genital Tract and Their Effects on the Reproductive System Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev., June 1, 2001; 65(2): 208 - 231. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. C. Lo and M. Schambelan Reproductive Function in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2001; 86(6): 2338 - 2343. [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Jubault, A. Penfornis, F. Schillo, B. Hoen, M. Izembart, J. Timsit, M. D. Kazatchkine, J. Gilquin, and J.-P. Viard Sequential Occurrence of Thyroid Autoantibodies and Graves' Disease after Immune Restoration in Severely Immunocompromised Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1-Infected Patients J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2000; 85(11): 4254 - 4257. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				F. B. Hashemi, T. K. Hughes, and E. M. Smith Human Immunodeficiency Virus Induction of Corticotropin in Lymphoid Cells J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 1998; 83(12): 4373 - 4381. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. Bhasin, T. W. Storer, N. Asbel-Sethi, A. Kilbourne, R. Hays, I. Sinha-Hikim, R. Shen, S. Arver, and G. Beall Effects of Testosterone Replacement with a Nongenital, Transdermal System, Androderm, in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Men with Low Testosterone Levels J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 1998; 83(9): 3155 - 3162. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				I. Sinha-Hikim, S. Arver, G. Beall, R. Shen, M. Guerrero, F. Sattler, C. Shikuma, J. C. Nelson, B.-M. Landgren, N. A. Mazer, et al. The Use of a Sensitive Equilibrium Dialysis Method for the Measurement of Free Testosterone Levels in Healthy, Cycling Women and in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 1998; 83(4): 1312 - 1318. [Abstract] [Full Text]