Evidence for Changes in Adrenal and Testicular Steroids During HIV Infection

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Abstract
The serum levels of cortisol, progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, androstenedione (δ4), testosterone (T), estrone, and estradiol of HIV + men and HIV- men were determined by radioimmunoassay. The cortisol, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and estrone levels of all HIV+ subjects were 35–55% (p < 0.01), 25–90% (p < 0.01), and 30–50% (p < 0.01) higher, respectively, than those of controls. Androgen levels were very high in Centers for Disease Control (CDC) groups II and III of HIV infection (DHEA, 85%, p < 0.01; δ4, 60%, p < 0.01; T, 30%, p < 0.05), but much lower in group IVC1 and IVC2. The estradiol levels were significantly elevated only in group IVD (50%, p < 0.01) and group IVC2 (25%, NS). These results indicate that serum hormone levels are correlated with HIV infection group. The changes in steroid hormone concentrations during the development of HIV infection may have important implications for the immune response of patients The high cortisol and estrone levels of all groups, the elevated androgen levels in asymptomatic groups, and the low androgens in AIDS patients may form part of the complex network of immunomodulatory factors.

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