Abstract

Testosterone, estradiol and progesterone serum blood levels were evaluated by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in men with acute viral hepatitis (VH) A or B during the 1st, 10th and 30th day of hospitalization in the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Medical Academy in Lublin. In addition, immunoradiometricassay (IRMA) was used to determine the SHBG level. Our examinations resulted in the detection of an elevated testosterone level 1in blood serum of patients with acute hepatitis A and hepatitis B during the enire period. Peak values of the hormone were observed in patients with acute hepatitis A at its peak activity. In both studied groups, high levels of estradiol and progesterone were found, and the levels of these hormones were significantly higher in patients with hepatitis B than in patients with hepatitis A. The study revealed significant elevation of blood serum SHBG level in men with acute hepatitis A (excluding the period of convalescence, that is day 30) and in patients with acute hepatitis B during the whole hospitalization period. The changes of hormone levels and sex hormone binding globulin were more pronounced in men with acute hepatitis B than in patients with acute hepatitis A.

Keywords: hepatitis A and B, Testosterone, Estradiol, Progesterone, SHBG