Serum Sex hormones, Gonadotropins, Cortisol, and Prolactin in the Patients with Alcohol Dependence / 신경정신의학

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Sexual dysfunction has been frequently experienced by male alcoholics. The possible etiologies of the sexual problems in alcoholics has been known to be hormonal rather than neuropathic or psychosocial. The main purpose of our study was, therefore, to examine the different parameters of the hypothalamic -pituitary- gonadal awis(testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follic1e-stimulating hormone ; HPG axis) in chronic alcoholic men. On the other hand, cortisol and prolactin were included because they could influence the HPG axis. METHODS: Serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follic1e-stimulating hormone, cortisol, and prolactin were measured in 15 male patients with alcohol dependence once during withdrawal and once after 21 days of abstinence. The results were compared with those of 12 healthy male volunteers. RESULTS: During withdrawal, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, cortisol and prolactin levels were significantly enhanced. Estradiol and cortisol concentrations fell significantly during abstinence, whereas luteinizing hormone and prolactin concentrations remained elevated. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that normal serum concentrations of testosterone were maintained in chronic alcoholic men without hepatic cirrhosis. In contrast to this, estrogen and prolactin concentrations seemed to be markedly enhanced. Whether this increase in estrogen and prolactin concentrations is implicated in different clinical and psychological symptoms seen in chronic alcoholics remains to be investigated.