Research

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

Stefan M Gold^1,2 , Sara Chalifoux¹ , Barbara S Giesser¹ and Rhonda R Voskuhl¹

¹Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Research Building 1, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, University of California Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

²Cousins Center, 300 Medical Plaza, University of California Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Neuroinflammation 2008, 5:32doi:10.1186/1742-2094-5-32

Published:	31 July 2008

Abstract

Background

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, IFNγ, TNFα, IL-17, IL-10, IL-12p40, TGFβ1) 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 TGFβ1 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.

Trial Registration

NCT00405353 http://www.clinicaltrials.gov webcite