Prolactin and interleukin 2 concentrations before and after i.v. TRH application in primary hypothyroidism and in controls

The authors evaluated serum level of prolactin (PRL) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) before and after i.v. application of tyreoliberin (TRH) 0.2 mg in 10 women as controls and 10 women with primary hypothyreoidism. In controls, there was a significant increase of IL-2 20 min following application of TRH (IL-2 0 min: 17.95 +/- 11.69, IL-2 in 20 min: 33.36 +/- 17.73 fmol/l), in patients with hypothyreoidism the serum level of IL-2 decreased (IL-2 0 min: 31.32 +/- 19.0, IL-2 in 20 min: 19.11 +/- 17.8 fmol/l). The basal concentration of IL-2 in patients with hypothyreoidism was significantly higher as in controls (p < 0.01). The presented finding indicated relation between the neuroendocrine and immune system but its value is not yet apparent. (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 7.)