Differences In Sex Hormone Levels Research Articles

Effect of TSH Suppression Therapy on Sex Hormone Levels after Thyroid Cancer Surgery

Objective: To analyze the effect of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy on sex hormone levels in patients undergoing postoperative treatment for thyroid cancer. Methods: A total of 40 patients undergoing postoperative thyroid cancer treatment were selected for data analysis. TSH suppression therapy was implemented during the postoperative period. Patients were grouped according to the TSH level: TSH < 0.1, 0.1 ≤ TSH < 0.5, and TSH ≥ 0.5. Results: Among male patients, there were no significant differences in sex hormone levels at different dosing times and TSH levels (P > 0.05). For female patients, testosterone levels at different dosing times showed no significant differences under the same circumstances (P > 0.05). The comparison of testosterone levels at different TSH levels over 5 years of TSH suppression therapy did not yield significant differences (P > 0.05). However, the comparison of testosterone levels within 5 years of TSH suppression therapy yielded significant differences (P < 0.05), with the lowest levels observed at 0.1 ≤ TSH < 0.5. Conclusion: The use of TSH suppression therapy in postoperative thyroid cancer treatment minimally affects sex hormone levels in male patients. However, it has a significant impact on female patients. Therefore, preoperative sex hormone testing is recommended, and postoperative monitoring should include regular sex hormone testing.

Long-Term Follow Up of Sexual Function and Steroid Levels in Women after Perimenopausal Hysterectomy with or without Concomitant Oophorectomy.

Hysterectomy, most often performed because of bleeding disorders or uterine leiomyoma, is one of the most common major surgical procedures in women and is usually performed during the perimenopausal period on ages 45-55 years. Hysterectomy may be combined with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, as a risk-reducing procedure to minimize the risk of ovarian cancer. An open question is whether concomitant oophorectomy, with cessation of ovarian androgen secretion, has any long-term effects on sexual function. In the present prospective cohort study of women undergoing benign hysterectomy, the long-term (10-12 years) effects on sexual function and changes in sex hormone levels were investigated in women having undergone perimenopausal hysterectomy, with or without concomitant bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Originally, 491 women (mean age around 50 years) were operated with (patient preference) either only hysterectomy (HYST) or hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (HYST + BSO), and 441 women (90%; HYST; n = 271 and HYST + BSO; n = 170) completed a one-year survey. In the present study, 185 women (42%) of the cohort with one-year follow up participated in the long-term follow up after 10-12 years. Follow-up was with the 10-item McCoy Female Sex Questionnaire and blood analysis of levels of testosterone, estradiol and sexual-hormone-binding globulin. The results showed that specific aspects of sexual function were lower after HYST + BSO compared to HYST 10-12 years after surgery. These lowered items were frequency of sexual fantasies, enjoyment of sexual activity, sexual arousal, and orgasmic frequency. No long-term differences in sex hormone levels were found between the two groups. In conclusion, some items related to sexual function were lower after HYST + BSO in a long-term perspective study, although the levels of testosterone were unaltered. This finding may have implications for clinical recommendations concerning prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy or for hysterectomy during the perimenopausal age.

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) on male sexual health

<h3>Objectives</h3> During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was an increase in the amount of men seeking treatment at urology outpatient clinics for sexual complaints. However, it is unknown whether this condition is directly related to COVID-19. The impact of COVID-19 on male sexual health was explored in the present study. <h3>Methods</h3> Individuals in the male sexual health cohort of our clinic were retrospectively examined. Men who applied to our clinic in the last 6 months and had a history of COVID-19 afterward were invited for an assesment at the 3rd month post COVID-19. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (TT), and prolactin (PRL) levels were all measured. Furthermore, the Premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT), the Chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), the International Index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5), the Beck depression inventory (BDI), and the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) scores were recorded. The pre-covid and post-covid data of the subjects were compared. <h3>Results</h3> The mean age of the participants was 34.8±7.7, the mean body mass index was 26.82±5.3, and the mean modified Charlson comorbidity index was 0.2±0.41. COVID-19 severity was mild in 19/25 (76%) and moderate in 6/25 (24%) of the subjects. LH, FSH, TT, and PRL levels did not differ between precovid and postcovid periods (p>0.05). There was no significant change in PEDT, NIH-CPSI, IIEF-5, or BAI scale scores in the postcovid period (p>0.05), although there was an remarkable decrease in BDI scores as compared to the precovid period (p>0.05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> While there was no difference in sex hormone levels or scale scores used to assess premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, chronic prostatitis, or anxiety, we noticed an unanticipated decrease in depression levels in individuals recovering from COVID-19. More precise results on the impact of COVID-19 on male sexual health could be revealed in future cohort studies with higher case numbers. <h3>Conflicts of Interest</h3> The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) on male sexual health

During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was an increase in the amount of men seeking treatment at urology outpatient clinics for sexual complaints. However, it is unknown whether this condition is directly related to COVID-19. The impact of COVID-19 on male sexual health was explored in the present study. Individuals in the male sexual health cohort of our clinic were retrospectively examined. Men who applied to our clinic in the last 6 months and had a history of COVID-19 afterward were invited for an assesment at the 3rd month post COVID-19. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (TT), and prolactin (PRL) levels were all measured. Furthermore, the Premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT), the Chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), the International Index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5), the Beck depression inventory (BDI), and the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) scores were recorded. The pre-covid and post-covid data of the subjects were compared. The mean age of the participants was 34.8±7.7, the mean body mass index was 26.82±5.3, and the mean modified Charlson comorbidity index was 0.2±0.41. COVID-19 severity was mild in 19/25 (76%) and moderate in 6/25 (24%) of the subjects. LH, FSH, TT, and PRL levels did not differ between precovid and postcovid periods (p>0.05). There was no significant change in PEDT, NIH-CPSI, IIEF-5, or BAI scale scores in the postcovid period (p>0.05), although there was an remarkable decrease in BDI scores as compared to the precovid period (p>0.05). While there was no difference in sex hormone levels or scale scores used to assess premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, chronic prostatitis, or anxiety, we noticed an unanticipated decrease in depression levels in individuals recovering from COVID-19. More precise results on the impact of COVID-19 on male sexual health could be revealed in future cohort studies with higher case numbers. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Clinical Effects of Bushen Culuan Prescription on Infertility Due to Decreased Ovarian Reserve of Kidney Deficiency and Liver Depression Pattern

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to explore the clinical effects of Bushen Culuan prescription on infertility due to decreased ovarian reserve of kidney deficiency and liver depression pattern. Methods Totally 100 infertile patients with ovarian hypofunction treated from October 2019 to January 2022 were selected and divided into the observation group and the control group by a random number table. The control group was treated with estrogen sequential therapy, and the observation group was treated with Bushen Culuan prescription. The clinical efficacy, sex hormone levels including (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], and estradiol [E2]), ovarian function, ovarian blood flow status (peak systolic velocity [PSV], antral follicle count [AFC], arterial pulse index [PI], and resistance index [RI]), and pregnancy outcome in the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results The total effective rate of the observation group (96.00%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (80.00%). The difference was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in sex hormone levels (FSH, LH, E2, and FSH/LH), ovarian function (number of primary follicles, number of dominant follicles, ovulation number, and endometrial thickness), and ovarian blood flow (PSV, RI, PI, and AFC) between the two groups (p &gt; 0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum hormones FSH, LH, E2, and FSH/LH decreased significantly in both groups. The number of primary follicles, dominant follicles, and ovulation increased significantly, and the thickness of endometrium decreased significantly; the indexes of PSV, RI, and AFC of ovarian blood flow increased significantly, and the PI index decreased significantly. The levels of each index in the observation group were better than those in the control group (p &lt; 0.05). In the control group, 32 cases were pregnant within 1 year after treatment, and the pregnancy rate was 64.00%; 21 cases in the observation group were pregnant within 1 year after treatment, and the pregnancy rate was 42.00%; the pregnancy rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 4.014, p = 0.045 &lt; 0.05). Conclusion Bushen Culuan prescription has a definite effect on infertility due to ovarian hypofunction. The action mechanism may involve multicomponent and multitarget stimulation to improve patients' ovarian function, regulate the level of sex hormones, and improve the pregnancy outcome.

Effects of co-infection with Clonorchis sinensis on the sex hormones levels in male patients with chronic hepatitis B.

ObjectiveWe evaluated the levels of sex hormones in male hepatitis B patients co‐infected with Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis).MethodsA total of 136 male individuals were enrolled in this study, including 27 healthy controls, 28 patients with C. sinensis mono‐infection, 19 patients with only chronic hepatitis B, 18 patients with post‐hepatitis B liver cirrhosis, 26 chronic hepatitis B patients co‐infected with C. sinensis, and 18 post‐hepatitis B liver cirrhosis patients coinfected with C. sinensis. Serum levels of progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in these groups were measured.ResultsThe results showed that compared with the LC group, the LC+ C. sinensis co‐infected group had an increase in E2 but decrease in T and FSH. The levels of E2 in CHB+ C. sinensis co‐infected patients were significantly higher than those in CHB mono‐infected patients, but the significantly lower levels of T were observed. Compared with HCs group, the LC group showed significant increase in all terms of sex hormones, except PRL. By contrast, the CHB mono‐infected group presented an apparent decrease in E2, T, and PRL than the HCs group. However, there were no significant differences in sex hormone levels between the C. sinensis mono‐infected patients and HCs.ConclusionThis study suggests that C. sinensis co‐infection aggravates the sex hormone disturbance in HBV patients at both chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis stages, providing evidences for potential strategies in disease prevention and treatment.

Abstract P219: Associations Between Endogenous Sex Hormone Levels And Adipokine Levels In The Multi-ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background: Differences in sex hormone levels contribute to sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Adipokines, which are central to cardiometabolic disease, differ by sex and have divergent associations with CVD. However the link between sex hormones and adipokines is not well established. We hypothesized that an androgenic sex hormone profile is associated with higher leptin &amp; resistin and lower adiponectin levels among postmenopausal women and men. Methods: We performed an analysis of 1822 adults in MESA who had sex hormones and adipokines measured. Sex hormones [Testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)] were measured at exam 1; free T was estimated. Serum adipokines [leptin, resistin, adiponectin] were measured at visits 2 or 3, an average of 2.6 yrs later. We used multivariable linear regression to examine the cross-sectional associations between sex hormones and adipokines. Results: The mean age was 63 (10), 48% were women; 41% White, 13% Chinese American, 20% Black, 26% Hispanic. Leptin: After adjusting for demographics (model 1), higher free T &amp; E2 and lower SHBG were associated with greater leptin levels in women and men; higher DHEA was associated with lower leptin in men ( Table ). With full covariate adjustment (model 3), this remained statistically significant for E2 &amp; SHBG in women and for DHEA in men. Adiponectin: With demographic adjustment, higher free T, E2, DHEA &amp; lower SHBG were associated with lower adiponectin in women, and higher free T &amp; lower SHBG with lower adiponectin in men. After full covariate adjustment, these same relationships were slightly attenuated but remained significant for women and men. Resistin: no association in either sex. Conclusion: A more androgenic profile (higher free T &amp; lower SHBG) was independently associated with lower adiponectin in men and women. Higher E2 &amp; lower SHBG in women, and lower DHEA in men, were associated with leptin. These findings may provide mechanistic insight into the interplay between sex hormones, adipokines and CVD risk.

Sex hormone levels in females of different ages suffering from depression

BackgroundThere are only a few studies on sex hormones in females of different ages suffering from depression, and their conclusions are not uniform until now. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the severity of depression in females and factors such as sex hormones and differences in sex hormone levels in females of different ages, exploring variations after treatment.MethodsA total of 169 females with depression were selected and divided into the first-episode (91 cases) and recurrent (78 cases) groups. Then, on the basis of their age, the first-episode patients were divided into the young (48 cases, age < 45 years), perimenopausal (20 cases, 45–55 years), and elderly groups (23 cases, age > 55 years); the patients with recurrent depression were classified into the young (37 cases, age < 45 years), perimenopausal (19 cases, 45–55 years), and elderly groups (22 cases, age > 55 years). The patients were assessed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases of mental and behavioral disorders. The serum progesterone, prolactin, estradiol, and testosterone levels in the patients were measured, and differences in sex hormone levels of the groups were analyzed.ResultsThe estradiol level was negatively correlated with age and the prolactin level was positively correlated with occupation. The severity of depression in females was found to be negatively correlated with age. The serum progesterone and estradiol levels in the young group were significantly higher than those in the elderly group, regardless of the first episode or recurrence. Estradiol levels in the perimenopausal and elderly groups with first-episode depression were significantly higher than those in the same group with recurrent depression. However, there was no significant difference in the serum progesterone, prolactin, estradiol, and testosterone levels in the recurrent group before and after treatment.ConclusionsSex hormone levels, especially estradiol, varied among females of different ages suffering from depression. Recurrent depression also has a certain effect on sex hormone levels in females. Not only should the age and relapse be considered when studying the sex hormone levels of females with depression, but also attention should be paid to whether the patients have used antidepressants before their sexual hormonal testing.

Description of the voided urinary microbiota in asymptomatic prepubertal children – A pilot study

Recently, it has been established that the urine of a healthy adult bladder contains a microbiota and that urinary dysbiosis may be involved in the development of urinary tract diseases. The urinary microbiota and its relation to bladder health and disease in children is yet to be established. The objective of the present study was to investigate the voided urinary microbiota in asymptomatic prepubertal children. Thirty asymptomatic children (15 boys and 15 girls) participated in the study. Bacterial DNA in "clean-catch" midstream urine (CC MSU) samples was analysed using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. All children had normal bladder function as ensured by uroflowmetry, ultrasonic post-void residual, and frequency-volume charts. Bladder-related parameters and gender comparisons were analysed statistically by parametric and non-parametric tests. Alpha diversity, beta diversity, and a Venn diagram were used to analyse sequencing data. All CC MSU samples contained bacterial DNA. The voided urinary microbiota differed significantly between girls and boys in terms of operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness, Shannon diversity index, and relative abundances of bacterial genera, but not for evenness. The urine of girls was dominated by Prevotella (18.2%), Porphyromonas (12.9%), Ezakiella (8.1%), Prevotella 6 (7.4%), and Dialister (7.0%). Porphyromonas (22.4%) was the most abundant genus in boys, followed by Ezakiella (12.0%), Campylobacter (11.6%), Prevotella (8.6%), and Dialister (3.7%). Girls had 10 unique core OTUs, whereas boys had no unique core OTUs. Porphyromonas appeared as a shared core OTU between genders. Contrary to previous findings, this study found significant differences in the voided urinary bacterial composition among asymptomatic prepubertal children. Moreover, the bacterial composition diverged from that found among healthy adults by other research groups. Among adults, the gender specific urinary microbiota has been hypothesised to be caused by anatomical differences in the reproductive organs and differences in sex hormone levels. This could also be evident for asymptomatic prepubertal children as sex hormone levels are different even at the prepubertal stage. The limitations of the study encompass small sample size and urine collection by CC MSU with risk of contamination from surrounding areas. This study documents that CC MSU samples of asymptomatic prepubertal children are not sterile. The composition of the voided urinary microbiota seems gender specific and unequal to that of healthy adults. The role of the urinary microbiota in paediatric urological disorders should be considered in future studies.

High estradiol and low testosterone levels are associated with critical illness in male but not in female COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Male sex was repeatedly identified as a risk factor for death and intensive care admission. However, it is yet unclear whether sex hormones are associated with disease severity in COVID-19 patients. In this study, we analysed sex hormone levels (estradiol and testosterone) of male and female COVID-19 patients (n = 50) admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) in comparison to control non-COVID-19 patients at the ICU (n = 42), non-COVID-19 patients with the most prevalent comorbidity (coronary heart diseases) present within the COVID-19 cohort (n = 39) and healthy individuals (n = 50). We detected significantly elevated estradiol levels in critically ill male COVID-19 patients compared to all control cohorts. Testosterone levels were significantly reduced in critically ill male COVID-19 patients compared to control cohorts. No statistically significant differences in sex hormone levels were detected in critically ill female COVID-19 patients, albeit similar trends towards elevated estradiol levels were observed. Linear regression analysis revealed that among a broad range of cytokines and chemokines analysed, IFN-γ levels are positively associated with estradiol levels in male and female COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, male COVID-19 patients with elevated estradiol levels were more likely to receive ECMO treatment. Thus, we herein identified that disturbance of sex hormone metabolism might present a hallmark in critically ill male COVID-19 patients.

Blood hormones and torque teno virus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Men and women respond differently to infectious diseases. Women show less morbidity and mortality, partially due to the differences in sex hormone levels which can influence the immune response. Torque teno virus (TTV) is non-pathogenic and ubiquitously present in serum from a large proportion (up to 90%) of adult humans with virus levels correlating with the status of the host immune response. The source of TTV replication is unknown, but T-lymphocytes have been proposed. In this study we investigated the presence and levels of TTV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in premenopausal (pre-MP) women, post-menopausal (post-MP) women, and men, and determined their serum sex hormone levels. Of the examined subjects (n = 27), we found presence of TTV in PMBC from 17.6% pre-MP (n = 17), 25.0% post-MP (n = 4) and 50.0% men (n = 6). The levels of TTV/μg DNA were lower among TTV-positive men and post-MP women compared to pre-MP women. All the positive pre-MP women were either anovulatory, hypothyroid, or both. In addition, the TTV-positive pre-MP women had significantly lower progesterone levels compared to TTV-negative pre-MP women. Although our study was performed on a limited number of subjects, the data suggests that TTV in PBMC is associated with an anovulatory menstrual cycle with low progesterone levels, and possibly with male sex.

Sex Hormone Levels in Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Women: Systematic Review and Exploratory Meta-Analysis.

Lesbian and bisexual women may have different levels of sex hormones compared to heterosexual women. We systematically reviewed comparative studies measuring any sex hormones. A protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO-CRD42017072436) and searches conducted in six databases. Any relevant empirical studies published within the last 50years reporting any circulating sex hormones in sexual minority women compared to heterosexual women were included, with no language or setting restrictions. Inclusions, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted in duplicate. Random-effects meta-analyses of hormone levels, using standardized-mean-differences (SMD) were conducted where five or more studies reported results. From 1236 citations, 24 full papers were examined and 14 studies of mixed designs included, 12 in women without known ovarian problems. Hormones were measured in plasma (n = 9), saliva (n = 4), and urine (n = 2) and included androstenedione, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, pregnanediol, progesterone, testosterone, and several other hormones. Most studies were small, biased, and had considerable heterogeneity. Few found statistically significant differences between groups. All-sample meta-analysis showed increased testosterone in sexual minority women compared to heterosexual women (n = 9; SMD = 0.90; 95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.22, 1.57, I2 = 84%). This was the only difference found. We conclude that the small amount of heterogeneous research, from 50years to date, suggests little discernable difference in sex hormone levels between lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women excepting possibly higher testosterone. A large-scale primary study would be required before placing any certainty in the findings or their implications.

Sex Hormone-Dependent Physiology and Diseases of Liver.

Sexual dimorphism is associated not only with somatic and behavioral differences between men and women, but also with physiological differences reflected in organ metabolism. Genes regulated by sex hormones differ in expression in various tissues, which is especially important in the case of liver metabolism, with the liver being a target organ for sex hormones as its cells express estrogen receptors (ERs: ERα, also known as ESR1 or NR3A; ERβ; GPER (G protein-coupled ER, also known as GPR 30)) and the androgen receptor (AR) in both men and women. Differences in sex hormone levels and sex hormone-specific gene expression are mentioned as some of the main variations in causes of the incidence of hepatic diseases; for example, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more common in men, while women have an increased risk of autoimmune liver disease and show more acute liver failure symptoms in alcoholic liver disease. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the distinction is less pronounced, but increased incidences are suggested among men and postmenopausal women, probably due to an increased tendency towards visceral fat accumulation.

Chapter 8 - Sex and the serotonergic underpinnings of depression and migraine

Most psychiatric disorders demonstrate sex differences in their prevalence and symptomatology, and in their response to treatment. These differences are particularly pronounced in mood disorders. Differences in sex hormone levels are among the most overt distinctions between males and females and are thus an intuitive underpinning for these clinical observations. In fact, treatment with estrogen and testosterone was shown to exert antidepressant effects, which underscores this link. Changes to monoaminergic signaling in general, and serotonergic transmission in particular, are understood as central components of depressive pathophysiology. Thus, modulation of the serotonin system may serve as a mechanism via which sex hormones exert their clinical effects in mental health disorders. Over the past 20 years, various experimental approaches have been applied to identify modes of influence of sex and sex hormones on the serotonin system. This chapter provides an overview of different molecular components of the serotonin system, followed by a review of studies performed in animals and in humans with the purpose of elucidating sex hormone effects. Particular emphasis will be placed on studies performed with positron emission tomography, a method that allows for human in vivo molecular imaging and, therefore, assessment of effects in a clinically representative context. The studies addressed in this chapter provide a wealth of information on the interaction between sex, sex hormones, and serotonin in the brain. In general, they offer evidence for the concept that the influence of sex hormones on various components of the serotonin system may serve as an underpinning for the clinical effects these hormones demonstrate.

Association of serum androgens and coronary artery calcium scores in women

To determine the association between serum androgens measured by high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores. Cross-sectional study. Academic institution. A total of 239 women, aged 40-75years, with CAC testing and complete cardiovascular disease risk evaluation. Total T, DHEA, and androstenedione were measured using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, whereas E2 and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured using commercial assays. None. Independent associations between CAC scores and sex steroids. Overall, 164 subjects had a CAC score < 10, 48 had a CAC score between 10 and 100, and 27 had a score > 100. There were no differences in sex hormone levels between women with CAC scores > 10 vs. CAC scores ≤ 10. In multivariable models adjusting for age, body mass index, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a higher T/E2 ratio was associated with an elevated CAC score, with an unadjusted odds ratio associated with 1-SD change in log-transformed T/E2 of 1.38 (95% confidence interval 1.01-1.89) and adjusted OR 1.02 (95% confidence interval 1.002-1.04). Total T, DHEA, androstenedione, sex hormone-binding globulin, and E2 levels were not associated with increased CAC. In the general population, there are mixed reports regarding the relationship between serum androgens and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and limited information on the relationship between androgens and subclinical atherosclerosis. Our study shows that increased androgens relative to estrogens may have a weak but independent association with subclinical atherosclerosis, as measured by CAC scores.

Effects of oral contraceptives on rheumatoid arthritis in Korean menopausal women: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease with a multifactorial etiology. The higher prevalence of RA in women than in men may originate from differences in sex hormone levels or types. Ethnicity may interact with hormonal factors to produce various observed differences in the prevalence of RA. Oral contraceptives (OCs) are a source of exogenous sex hormones and can affect the prevalence of RA. We investigated the effects of OCs on RA in Korean menopausal women using a national data set. Data were collected from a cross-sectional study of 8789 eligible participants who completed the 2008–2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. To balance the distribution of baseline characteristics between those participants who had ever used OCs and those who had not, we employed propensity score matching to adjust for differences. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the effects of OCs on the incidence of RA. The development of RA in Korean women rapidly increased during the perimenopause. After propensity score matching, the use of OCs was associated with RA (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01–1.51, P = 0.04). However, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was not associated with RA regardless of whether OCs had been used (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.62–1.04, P = 0.09, and OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.66–1.52, P = 0.99, respectively). Our findings suggest that factors associated with sex hormones influence the prevalence of RA.

CYP19A1 polymorphisms associated with coronary artery disease and circulating sex hormone levels in a Chinese population.

BackgroundThe relationship between CYP19A1 genetic polymorphisms and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association of CYP19A1 genetic polymorphisms with CAD in Han and Uygur populations and to characterize the association between the levels of sex hormones and aromatase with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP19A1 genes in Chinese women.ResultsThere were significant differences in the genotype distributions of rs2236722 and rs4646 between CAD patients and control subjects in the Uygur population. The rs4646 was found to be associated with CAD in the dominant model (CC vs. CA + AA) and the additive model (CA vs. CC + AA) (both P ≤ 0.001). The difference remained statistically significant after multivariate adjustment (OR = 0.483, 95% CI: 0.338–0.690, P = 0.000; and OR = 1.844, 95% CI: 1.300–2.617, P = 0.001, respectively). In normal Uygur postmenopausal women, there were significant differences in the genotype distributions of rs4646 and the circulating hormone and aromatase levels between CAD patients and control subjects. The differences in estradiol and aromatase levels remained statistically significant after multivariate adjustment (OR = 0.889, 95% CI: 0.817–0.969, P = 0.007; and OR = 0.947, 95% CI: 0.936–0.957, P = 0.000, respectively). Additionally, there were differences in sex hormone levels between the different ethnicities among the Xinjiang Chinese population.Materials and MethodsAmong a total of 1,064 Han individuals (614 men and 450 women) and 790 Uygur individuals (484 men and 306 women), 498 postmenopausal women (265 Han and 233 Uygur individuals) were selected. Four SNPs (rs2236722, rs2304463, rs4646, and rs4275794) were genotyped using the improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR) technique. The estradiol and testosterone levels were determined using a radioimmunoassay based on GC-2016γ. In addition, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the serum P450 aromatase levels.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that the rs2236722 and rs4646 of the CYP19A1 gene are associated with CAD and circulating sex hormone levels in the Xinjiang population of China.

Detection of sex hormone levels in children with hypospadias

Objective To investigate the differences in sex hormone levels between hypospadias and circumcision groups. Methods Fifty cases of circumcision and 137 cases of hypospadias the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) value was tested with radioimmunoassay, and testosterone was tested with lightimmunoassay. Results DHT value was (64.51±32.10)pg/ml in circumcision group, and (46.72±28.94)pg/ml in hypospadias group (P 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in FSH among all types of hypospadias (P>0.05). Conclusions Inadequate secretion of T or activity insufficiency and functional deficiency of 5 alpha reductase (SRD5A) are likely found in children with hypospadia. Inadequate secretion and low T value might be found in LH-T shaft in children with hypospadia. The normal T value in some children with hypospadia does not show that androgens produced during pregnancy are normal. Key words: Hypospadias/ME; Gonadal steroid hormones/ME

Alcohol-related breast cancer in postmenopausal women - effect of CYP19A1, PPARG and PPARGC1A polymorphisms on female sex-hormone levels and interaction with alcohol consumption and NSAID usage in a nested case-control study and a randomised controlled trial.

BackgroundAlcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of breast cancer (BC), and the underlying mechanism is thought to be sex-hormone driven. In vitro and observational studies suggest a mechanism involving peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in a complex with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) and interaction with aromatase (encoded by CYP19A1). Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) may also affect circulating sex-hormone levels by modifying PPARγ activity.MethodsIn the present study we assessed whether genetic variation in CYP19A1 is associated with risk of BC in a case-control study group nested within the Danish “Diet, Cancer and Health” cohort (ncases = 687 and ncontrols = 687) and searched for gene-gene interaction between CYP19A1 and PPARGC1A, and CYP19A1 and PPARG, and gene-alcohol and gene-NSAID interactions. Association between the CYP19A1 polymorphisms and hormone levels was also examined among 339 non-HRT users. Incidence rate ratios were calculated based on Cox’ proportional hazards model. Furthermore, we performed a pilot randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of the PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism and the PPARγ stimulator Ibuprofen on sex-hormone levels following alcohol intake in postmenopausal women (n = 25) using linear regression.ResultsGenetic variations in CYP19A1 were associated with hormone levels (estrone: Prs11070844 = 0.009, estrone sulphate: Prs11070844 = 0.01, Prs749292 = 0.004, Prs1062033 = 0.007 and Prs10519297 = 0.03, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG): Prs3751591 = 0.03) and interacted with alcohol intake in relation to hormone levels (estrone sulphate: Pinteraction/rs2008691 = 0.02 and Pinteraction/rs1062033= 0.03, and SHBG: Pinteraction/rs11070844 = 0.03). CYP19A1/rs3751591 was both associated with SHBG levels (P = 0.03) and with risk of BC (Incidence Rate Ratio = 2.12; 95 % Confidence Interval: 1.02–4.43) such that homozygous variant allele carriers had increased levels of serum SHBG and were at increased risk of BC. Acute intake of alcohol decreased blood estrone (P = <0.0001), estrone sulphate (P = <0.0001), and SHBG (P = 0.009) levels, whereas Ibuprofen intake and PPARG Pro12Ala genotype had no effect on hormone levels.ConclusionsOur results suggest that genetically determined variation in CYP19A1 is associated with differences in sex hormone levels. However, the genetically determined differences in sex hormone levels were not convincingly associated with BC risk. The results therefore indicate that the genetically determined variation in CYP19A1 contributes little to BC risk and to alcohol-mediated BC risk.Trial registrationNCT02463383, June 3, 2015.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2317-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Lower sex hormone levels are associated with more chronic musculoskeletal pain in community-dwelling elderly women.

Chronic pain is more prevalent in women than in men, with increasing differences between sexes in advanced age. This could be caused by differences in sex hormone levels. We therefore studied the relationship between sex hormones and the prevalence and incidence of chronic pain. The association between sex hormone levels and chronic pain was examined in 9717 participants aged 45 years and older from the Rotterdam Study, a population-based study. Chronic pain was defined as pain in the lower back, hands, knees and/or hips for at least 3 months. Sex hormone levels included estrogen, testosterone, androstenedione, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone. Relationships between hormones and prevalent and new onset chronic pain were analyzed using linear and logistic regression, stratified by gender. Women with androstenedione or estradiol levels in the lowest tertile had more chronic pain (odds ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03-1.39 and odds ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.10-1.48, respectively). Mean estradiol levels were lower among men with chronic pain (mean difference -3.88 pmol/L; P = 0.005). Lowest tertile 17-hydroxyprogesterone in women was associated with 38% more new onset pain. All these associations were independent from age, body mass index, health and lifestyle factors, and osteoarthritis. Lower sex hormone levels are associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain, independent from lifestyle and health-related factors, in community-dwelling elderly women. These results suggest that sex hormones play a role in chronic pain and should be taken into account when a patient presents with chronic pain. Therefore, sex hormones may be a potential treatment target for these patients.