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Bit more (but not much) on testosterone for MS

Immune modulation and increased neurotrophic factor production in multiple sclerosis patients treated with testosterone 01 August 2008


Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with a pronounced neurodegenerative component. It has been suggested that novel treatment options are needed that target both aspects of the disease.

Evidence from basic and clinical studies suggests that testosterone has an immunomodulatory as well as a potential neuroprotective effect that could be beneficial in MS.

Methods: Ten male MS patients were treated with 10 g of gel containing 100 mg of testosterone in a cross-over design (6 month observation period followed by 12 months of treatment). Blood samples were obtained at three-month intervals during the observation and the treatment period.

Isolated blood peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to examine lymphocyte subpopulation composition by flow cytometry and ex vivo protein production of cytokines (IL-2, IFNgamma, TNFalpha, IL-10, IL-12p40, TGFbeta1) and growth factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF, platelet-derived growth factor PDGF-BB, nerve growth factor NGF, and ciliary neurotrophic factor CNTF). Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin recall tests were obtained before and during treatment as an in vivo functional immune measure.

Results: Testosterone treatment significantly reduced DTH recall responses and induced a shift in peripheral lymphocyte composition by decreasing CD4+ T cell percentage and increasing NK cells. In addition, PBMC production of IL-2 was significantly decreased while TGFbeta1 production was increased.

Furthermore, PBMCs obtained during the treatment period produced significantly more BDNF and PDGF-BB.

Conclusion: These results are consistent with an immunomodulatory effect of testosterone treatment in MS.

In addition, increased production of BDNF and PDGF-BB suggests a potential neuroprotective effect.

Author: Stefan M Gold, Sara Chalifoux, Barbara S Giesser and Rhonda R Voskuhl

Source: Journal of Neuroinflammation 2008, 5:32

BDNF I beleive, is our friend. It goes up with antidepressants like Zoloft and Prozac. We must continue to trace what it can do for us...

But it it worth being cured of MS is you have to suffer from testosterone poisoning?

Symptoms: aggressive driving, beer drinking, excessive interest in football, lechery, beer gut, driving with an elbow outside the car, belching, knowing everything better...


(Sorry, just got back from holidays and still very silly!)

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Bibo ergo sum

Yeah, knowing everything does have its perils, but the lechery and driving a car with your elbow out the window makes up for it.