Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays a major role in the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. However, the effects of peripheral CRH administration on immune functions are only partially known. In the present study, we used a clinically established CRH stimulation test to investigate potential CRH effects on blood immune cell distribution and ex vivo cytokine production in humans. Healthy male volunteers received an intravenous injection of either CRH (100 μ g, n = 7) or placebo (0.9% NaCl, n = 5) on two days with a 3-day washout phase in between. Blood samples, cardiovascular and psychological parameters were analyzed before (baseline) as well as 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min post injection. Results showed that CRH administration significantly increased cortisol and noradrenaline levels, heart rate, as well as self-reported side-effects and state anxiety. However, distribution of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-stimulated production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha remained unaffected. Thus, even though peripheral administration of CRH induced pronounced neuroendocrine and psychological responses, it failed to affect lymphocyte circulation and cytokine release.
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