scholarly journals Low serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone in Albanian female patients with allergic disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Violeta Lokaj-Berisha ◽  
Besa Gacaferri Lumezi ◽  
Naser Berisha

AbstractEvidence from several unrelated animal models and some studies conducted in humans, points to the immunomodulatory effects of androgens on various components of the immune system, especially on allergic disorders. This study evaluated the serum concentrations of sex hormones in women with allergy. For this purpose, blood samples were obtained from 78 participants in order to detect serum IgE concentrations, total testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA-S. The majority of the subjects (54) in the study were consecutive patients with doctor-diagnosed allergic pathologies: 32 with allergic rhinitis, 10 with asthma and rhinitis, and 12 with skin allergies. In addition, 24 healthy volunteers were included in the research as the control group. The average age of the subjects was 32.54 years (SD ± 11.08 years, range between 4–59 years). All participants stated that they had not used any medical treatment to alleviate any of their symptoms prior to taking part in the research. They all underwent skin-prick tests for common aero-allergens, which was used as criterion for subject selection. Hence, the subjects were selected if they reacted positively to at least one aero-allergen. Their height and weight were measured in order to calculate the BMI. As a result, statistically significant differences between controls and allergic women in serum concentrations of androgens (testosterone, p = 0.0017; DHEA-S, p = 0.04) were found, which lead to the conclusion that the concentration of total serum testosterone and DHEA-S was lower in female patients with allergic diseases compared to controls.

Folia Medica ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raditsa N. Sokolova ◽  
Rumyana K. Yankova ◽  
Tsvetana I. Abadjieva ◽  
Tatyana A. Popova ◽  
Maria V. Ivanovska ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground:Changes in lifestyle and obesity in recent decades have brought about a dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and allergic diseases. Clinical and epidemiological studies associate obesity with epidemics of allergic diseases. The link between obesity and DM2 with immunological components of IgE-mediated allergic inflammation is not yet conclusively established.Aim:To examine the key immunological components of IgE-mediated allergic inflammation in patients with DM2 and their relationship with glycemic control and anthropometric indicators.Materials and methods:Fifty-five patients with DM2 and 32 healthy controls with normal weight and body mass index (BMI) of 18-24.9 kg/m2were included in the study. Th2-cytokine profile (serum levels of IL-4 and IL-5, pg/ml) and total serum IgE IU/ml were assessed in all participants in the study using ELISA. In patients with DM2, levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%) in the blood were also measured.Results:Serum levels of IL-4 and IL-5 are significantly higher in patients with DM2 compared to the control group. Serum levels of IL-4 and IL-5 positively correlated with BMI as well as serum levels of IL-4 with waist circumference. Total serum IgE positively correlated with HbA1c.Conclusion:Obesity and poor glycemic control in patients with DM2 affect key immunological components of IgE-mediated allergic inflammation and possibly alter the immune response to allergens and antigens.


2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
pp. 3654-3658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Z. Leder ◽  
Don H. Catlin ◽  
Christopher Longcope ◽  
Brian Ahrens ◽  
David A. Schoenfeld ◽  
...  

Androstenedione is a steroid hormone and the major precursor to testosterone. It is available without prescription and taken with the expectation that it will be converted to testosterone endogenously and increase strength and athletic performance. The metabolism of orally administered testosterone has not been well studied. We randomly assigned 37 healthy men to receive 0, 100, or 300 mg oral androstenedione in a single daily dose for 7 d. Single 8-h urine collections were performed on the day before the start of the androstenedione administration and on d 1 and 7 to assess excretion rates of free and glucuronide- conjugated testosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, and dihydrotestosterone. Serum testosterone glucuronide concentrations were measured by frequent blood sampling over 8 h on d 1 in 16 subjects (5 each in the 0 and 100 mg group and 6 in the 300 mg group). In the control group, mean (±se) d 1 and 7 excretion rates for testosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, and dihydrotestosterone were 3 ± 1, 215 ± 26, 175 ± 26, and 0.4 ± 0.1 μg/h, respectively. In the 100 mg group, mean d 1 and 7 excretion rates for testosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, and dihydrotestosterone were 47 ± 11, 3,836 ± 458, 4,306 ± 458, and 1.6 ± 0.2 μg/h, respectively. In the 300 mg group, mean d 1 and 7 excretion rates for testosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, and dihydrotestosterone were 115 ± 39, 8,142 ± 1,362, 10,070 ± 1,999, and 7.7 ± 1.5μ g/h, respectively. Urinary excretion rates of all metabolites were greater in both the 100 and 300 mg groups than in controls (P < 0.0001). Urinary excretion rates of testosterone (P = 0.007), androsterone (P = 0.009), etiocholanolone (P= 0.0005), and dihydrotestosterone (P < 0.0001) were greater in the subjects who received 300 mg androstenedione than in those who received 100 mg. In the treated groups, excretion of free testosterone accounted for less than 0.1% of the total excreted testosterone measured. Serum testosterone glucuronide levels increased significantly during frequent blood sampling in both the 100 and 300 mg groups compared with controls (P = 0.0005 for the 100 mg group; P < 0.0001 for the 300 mg group). The net mean changes in area under the curve for serum testosterone glucuronide were −18 ± 25%, 579 ± 572%, and 1267 ± 1675% in the groups receiving 0, 100, and 300 mg/d androstenedione, respectively. We conclude that the administration of both 100 and 300 mg androstenedione increases the excretion rates of conjugated testosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, and dihydrotestosterone and the serum levels of testosterone glucuronide in men. The magnitude of these increases is much greater than the changes observed in serum total testosterone concentrations. These findings demonstrate that orally administered androstenedione is largely metabolized to testosterone glucuronide and other androgen metabolites before release into the general circulation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghulam Nabi ◽  
Muhammad Amin ◽  
Tabinda Rauf ◽  
Khwaja Muhammad Khan ◽  
Ayaz Ali Khan

The demand for potent and new pesticides increases day by day because of pest resistant and more food production. The objective of this study was to find out the effects of chronic pesticides exposure on the reproductive health of poor and reckless farmers.A 5 mL blood was drawn from 80 men (40 farmers, 40 controls) and was analyze for serum total testosterone using Biocheck (USA) kit. A detail questionnaire was designed about socio-demographic, occupational activities and clinical characteristics.In farmer group the Mean±SEM of total serum testosterone was 546±10 ng/dl and in control was 664±17 ng/dl. Total serum testosterone was significantly lowered (P< 0.0001) in farmers at 95% confidence interval as compared to control group. Reproductive health problems like infertility, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory problems, decreased libido, absent morning and nocturnal erection and general health problems like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson and diabetes mellitus were more common in farmers.Pesticides negatively affect the physiology of endocrine system. It reduces the serum total testosterone concentration in farmers significantly.This low testosterone produces negative effects on the reproductive as well as general health.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Arjona-Luna

There are reports about the relationship between testosterone levels and aggressiveness in animals and humans. The practice of martial arts requires high levels of pain tolerance, fear control and of course, enough aggressiveness to overcome psychological and biological stress. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to identify the relationship between basal testosterone levels and martial arts practice by comparing total serum testosterone values between male athletes and martial artists. In this cross-sectional study, the total testosterone between a control group of 15 male athletes and 15 male martial artists was compared. The participants had the following inclusion criteria: healthy men between 18 and 35 years old, not obese, with at least 1 year of continuous training, 3 to 5 sessions per week with a duration from 60 to 90 min at a moderate to high intensity, non smokers, alcohol free, and free from exogenous testosterone or testosterone precursors. Blood samples were recolected between 8:00 to 10:00 am and the laboratory results were obtained by chemiluminescence. The testosterone levels mean of the martial artist's group was 6.44 (±1.17) ng/mL and the athlete's control group had a mean of 6.09 (±1.32) ng/mL. Comparing values with the Student´s t-test showed no statistically significant difference, with a p value of 0.45. There is no significant difference of basal total testosterone levels between male martial artists and athletes, and it seems there is no direct relationship between testosterone levels and martial arts practice. Further investigation on the physiologic responses produced by the practice of combat sports is a growing necessity.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abeer I Abd Elmagid ◽  
Hala Abdel Al ◽  
Wessam El Sayed Saad ◽  
Seham Kamal Mohamed

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and one of the most important causes of death among them.Angiogenesis is an important step for primary tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastases. Angiopoietins are well-recognized endothelial growth factors that are involved in angiogenesis associated with tumors. Aim To explore the diagnostic significance of serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in breast cancer and to evaluate its prognostic efficacy through studying the degree of its association with the TNM staging of the disease. Patients and Methods This study was conducted on (35) Egyptian female patients who were diagnosed as breast cancer according to histopathological examination of breast biopsy (Group 1, Breast Cancer Patients) and (25) female patients with benign breast diseases (Group II, Pathological Control Patients), in addition to (20) age - matched apparently healthy, free mammogram, females serving as healthy controls (Group III, Healthy Controls). For all participants, measurement of serum Ang-2 was done using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results A highly significant increased levels of Ang-2 was observed in breast cancer patients when compared to healthy control group (Z = 4.95, p &lt; 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in Ang-2 levels between breast cancer patients group and pathological control group (Z = 3.37, p &gt; 0.05). No significant difference was detected in Ang-2 levels in relation to TNM stage and histological grade. No significant correlation was found between Ang-2 levels and serum levels of CA15-3, hormone receptors, HER2/new receptor status (p &gt; 0.05, respectively). Conclusion This study revealed that Ang-2 serum levels were significantly increased in patient with breast cancer compared with healthy controls, indicating that high Ang-2 level is a promising non invasive biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis. However, no significant difference of Ang-2 levels was detected in relation of breast TNM staging in the population studied.


Author(s):  
Khaled S. Abd ◽  
Adnan F. AL-Azzawie

This study aims to evaluate serum levels of the Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and its relationship with some sex hormones such as Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone hormone and the infertility type in some infertile Iraqi men. Blood and seminal fluid samples from (60) idiopathic male infertile and (60) healthful individuals as a control group aged (18 to 60 year) were collected from private clinics. Serum hormones (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) were measurement using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The levels of DHEA-S, FSH, LH and prolactin are significantly higher (P≤0.01) expect of the testosterone level was significantly decreased (P≤ 0.01) in the infertile men as compared with control group. High significant differences (P≤0.01) were recorded when comparing the hormonal levels (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) according to the age groups. There are significant differences (P≤ 0.01) in levels of (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) in the infertility period.  Smoker infertile men have high levels (P≤ 0.05) in the DHEA-S and LH while have low levels in the prolactin hormones compared with control. Patients with family history have shown significant differences (P≤0.05) in the levels of DHEA-S, FSH, LH and prolactin. In conclusion, this study revealed significantly increase in the DHEA-S levels in the infertile men and negative correlation between DHEA-S and FSH. Therefore, DHEA-S has important role in the diagnosis and follow up of the male infertility.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  

Neuropeptides coordinate and regulate physiological processes in all animals. Alarin is a 25 amino acid neuropeptide which promotes the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). It has been known that serum luteinizing hormone levels are increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Therefore, purpose of this was to examine the association of circulating gonadotropin secretions, and alarin with women with polycystic ovary syndrome, and to compare these findings with those of control subjects in an effort to better understand the pathophysiology of PCOS. 28 participants with a diagnosis of PCOS with normal weight and 28 participants with a diagnosis of PCOS with obese and 28 control group participants were included in this case-control study. Hormone profiles of the participants (alarin, insulin, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-SO4 ), lipid profiles total testosterone, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride, cholesterol) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) values were measured. Results: Serum androgens were elevated in the PCOS. Blood LH was also elevated (P < 0.05) but was higher in PCOS than Control. Patients with PCOS had an increased alarin compared with controls. LH/FSH ratio and Alarin /FSH ratio were greater than 2.1, 2.4, respectively. The blood alarin levels were significantly correlated with the serum LH levels (r=0.492, p=0.002) and the LH/FSH ratios (r=0.450, p<0.001) and Alarin/ FSH ratios. The FSH/LH and alarin /FSH ratio were elevated in the PCOS. Based on these results, the FSH/LH and Alarin /FSH ratio appears to be a useful marker of PCOS.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Ghulam Nabi ◽  
Muhammad Amin ◽  
Jeena Urooj ◽  
Muhammad Kamil ◽  
Ayaz Ali Khan

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of wood, cigarette and marijuana smoke on the reproductive health of tandoor occupants. A total of 100 male individuals were selected (50 control and 50 tandoor occupants). A standard questionnaire was designed regarding their age, economic status, marital status, fuel type, exposure time (per day), use of mask, addiction and reproductive health. Morning blood samples of 5 mL of the size were taken from all participants. Serums were obtained and analyzed for total serum testosterone concentration. Bio-check (USA) kit was used according to the manufacturer protocol and procedures for testosterone analysis. In control group the mean ± SEM of total serum testosterone was 671.9 ± 20.02 ng/dl where as in tandoor occupants it was 542.7 ± 16.40 ng/dl. There was a significant reduction (P**** < 0.0001) in total serum testosterone concentration in tandoor occupants as compared to control group. Reproductive health problems like, low libido, erection problems, infertility, decreased frequency for shaving and absent morning and nocturnal erection were common in tandoor occupants as compared to control group. Wood, cigarette and marijuana smoke negatively affects testosterone concentration and lowers it significantly. This reduced testosterone concentration then produces ill effects like low libido, erection problems, infertility and absent morning and nocturnal erection. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Polkowska ◽  
Izabela Elżbieta Pasierowska ◽  
Marta Pasławska ◽  
Elżbieta Pawluczuk ◽  
Artur Bossowski

Introduction. The increasing knowledge of adropin, afamin, and neudesin and the regulation of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance allows for the assessment of the differences in their concentrations between the groups with varied duration of diabetes mellitus (DM). Aim of the Study. Assessment of serum levels of adropin, afamin, and neudesin in children with type 1 diabetes, with respect to the disease duration. Materials and Methods. The study consisted of 138 patients aged 5–18 years (M 40.58%). Children with type 1 diabetes (n = 68) were compared to the control group (n = 70). The diabetic group was divided into 4 subgroups: (I) newly diagnosed patients, after an episode of ketoacidosis (n = 14), (II) duration no longer than 5 years (n = 18), (III) 5 to 10 years (n = 27), and (IV) longer than 10 years (n = 9). Serum concentrations of adropin, afamin, and neudesin were assessed and compared between the groups of patients. The criterion for statistical significance was p<0.05. Results. The concentrations of adropin and afamin across all subgroups were lower than that in the control group, while neudesin levels were higher in diabetic patients compared to the control group. The differences were statistically significant. Conclusions. Adropin, afamin, and neudesin may play a major role in the regulation of glucose metabolism and have a significant potential as novel biomarkers to predict future metabolic disorders. However, further multicentre studies on a larger cohort of patients are necessary to specify the role of these substances in the course and treatment of type 1 diabetes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Bernard Henrotin ◽  
Eva Feigerlova ◽  
Alain Robert ◽  
Mathieu Dziurla ◽  
Manuela Burgart ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to examine the effects of occupational exposure to diisononyl phthalate (DINP) on serum testosterone levels in male workers.MethodsFrom 2015 to 2018, 97 male workers were recruited from six French factories in the plastics industry. In a short longitudinal study, changes over 3 days in the level of total or free serum testosterone and DINP exposure were measured. DINP exposure was measured by urinary biomonitoring: mono-4-methyl-7-oxo-octyl phthalate (OXO-MINP), mono-4-methyl-7-hydroxy-octyl phthalate (OH-MINP) and mono-4-methyl-7-carboxyheptylphthalate (CX-MINP). We further analysed changes in follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, total testosterone to oestradiol ratio and two bone turnover markers (procollagen-type-I-N propeptide, C terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen), and erectile dysfunction via standardised questionnaires (International Index of Erectile Function, Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males). Linear mixed models were used with the variables ‘age’ and ‘abdominal diameter’ included as confounder.ResultsIncreased urinary OXO-MINP was associated with a significant decrease in total serum testosterone concentrations, but only for workers who exhibited the smallest variations and lowest exposures (p=0.002). The same pattern was observed for CX-MINP but was not significant; no association with OH-MINP was detectable. More self-reported erectile problems were found in workers exposed directly to DINP at the workstation (p=0.01). No changes were observed for the other biological parameters.ConclusionsShort-term exposure to DINP is associated with a decrease in total serum testosterone levels in male workers. Our results suggest that DINP could present weak antiandrogenic properties in humans, but these need to be confirmed by other studies.


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