Hormonal parameters and sex hormone receptor gene polymorphisms in men with autoimmune diseases

• Published in: Rheumatology international 2013-03, Vol.33 (3), p.575-582
• Main Authors: Doukas, C., Saltiki, K., Mantzou, A., Cimponeriu, A., Terzidis, K., Sarika, L., Mavrikakis, M., Sfikakis, P., Alevizaki, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Autoimmune Diseases - genetics; Body Mass Index; Estrogen Receptor alpha - genetics; Estrogen Receptor beta - genetics; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - genetics; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original Article; Polymorphism, Genetic; Receptors, Androgen - genetics; Rheumatology; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin - analysis
• ISSN: 0172-8172; 1437-160X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00296-012-2386-4

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are more common in women than in men. Sex hormones may play a role. Sex hormone receptors (SHR) are expressed in cells of the immune system. We investigated the possible role of hormonal parameters and of common polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor alpha ( ESR1 ), beta ( ESR2 ), and androgen receptor ( AR ) genes in the appearance of AD in men. 277 men were studied; 125 with ≥1 AD: Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis ( n  = 65), Graves’ disease ( n  = 12), SLE ( n  = 10), and RA ( n  = 38). 152 were controls. Hormonal and biochemical parameters were measured after discontinuation for ≥1 month of any corticosteroid therapy. ESR1 Pvu II , ESR2 Alu I, and the AR (CAG)n repeats polymorphisms were analyzed. AD patients had higher estradiol levels (31.32 ± 12.10, controls 20.37 ± 7.91 pg/ml, p