[Evaluation of pituitary-gonadal axis in alcohol dependent males].

Unlabelled: Chronic alcoholism leads to organic damages of nervous system, the liver and the endocrine system. The aim of the study is to evaluate pituitary-gonadal axis in males chronically dependent with alcohol.
Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 50 alcohol dependent men aged 27 to 53 years (40.7 +/- 6.6) treated at the Ward of Toxicology and Environmental Diseases (Detoxification Unit). Al-cohol dependence was diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria. The intensity of withdrawal syndrome was measured using CIWA-A scale. In all the patients anthropometrical measurements and abdominal ultrasonography were performed as well as blood pressure was measured. Levels of gonadotropin, total testosteron, PRL were determined, thyroid and adrenal gland function were assessed and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in all patients. Activity of the liver enzymes, urea and creatine concentration were determined. Erectile dysfunction was assessed using IIEF. 5 questionnaire: in those patients who received < or =21 points an incidence of diabetes mellitus, thyroid gland and cardiovascular diseases was assessed using standardized questionnaire.
Results: Alcohol dependency longer than 15 years was stated in 25, longer than 10 years in 9, and longer than 5 years in 16 of examined patients. The moderate withdrawal syndrome was diagnosed in 22, severe withdrawal syndrome in 26 and very severe withdrawal syndrome in 2 of the patients. BMI ranged from 15.8 to 33.8 kg/m2 (mediane 24.67; +/- 0.54 kg/m2). In 24 men erectile dysfunction was diagnosed using IIEF5 questionnaire. No significant difference was noted between level of total testosterone and PRL in the group with or without erectile dysfunction (testosterone: 5.07 +/- 2.41 vs. 4.54 +/- 2.74; PRL: 330.2 +/- 214.2 vs. 307.4 +/- 258.2). Gonadropine level in the group of men with erectile dysfunction was significantly higher than that without erectile dysfunction (LH: 7.4 +/- 5.2 vs. 4.38 +/- 2.23, p < 0.01; FSH: 13.3 +/- 29.3 vs. 4.59 +/- 19.92, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results obtained confirm that secondary stimulation of pituitary-gonadal axis in alcoholic men depends on liver function and ethanol toxic effect on gonads.