Effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on secretion of prolactin, growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and cortisol in humans

In order to assess the endocrine effects of acute and short-term granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), we studied seven patients with myelo- and lymphoproliferative disorders who were given G-CSF to prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. On day 0, the patients received a placebo; on days 1 to 4, they received recombinant human G-CSF (300 μg, subcutaneously). Plasma prolactin, growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and cortisol levels were determined at baseline and hourly for 8 hours on days 0 and 1. Additional blood samples were collected at 12 hours on days 0 and 1, and at 9:00 AM on days 2 to 5 of the study. After administration of G-CSF, no significant variations in circulating hormone levels were observed with respect to baseline and corresponding placebo levels. The data indicate that short-term G-CSF administration does not cause endocrine abnormalities in patients undergoing this cytokine treatment.