Biomaterial Database

Androgen and prolactin (Prl) levels in systemic sclerosis (SSc): relationship to disease severity. 2006

Luisa Mirone, and Angela Barini, and Antonella Barini

U.O.C. Reumatologia--Cattedra di Reumatologia, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. luisa.mirone@rm.unicatt.it

Testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin, (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and prolactin (Prl) serum levels were measured by electrochemiluminescense immunoassay (ECLIA) in 39 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and compared with serum hormonal levels in control subjects matched for sex and reproductive status. A possible relationship with disease duration and disease severity was examined. Our data show an altered androgen and prolactin (Prl) status in SSc patients, in most cases related to disease duration and disease severity score. We can hypothesize that hormonal dysregulation is a consequence of the chronicity of the disease. The altered hormonal status could result in relative immunological hyperactivity contributing to enhance tissue damage and disease severity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D011388	Prolactin	A lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). It is a polypeptide of approximately 23 kD. Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation. Prolactin receptors are present in the mammary gland, hypothalamus, liver, ovary, testis, and prostate.	Lactogenic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropin,PRL (Prolactin),Hormone, Pituitary Lactogenic,Hormone, Pituitary Mammotropic,Pituitary Lactogenic Hormone,Pituitary Mammotropic Hormone
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000728	Androgens	Compounds that interact with ANDROGEN RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of TESTOSTERONE. Depending on the target tissues, androgenic effects can be on SEX DIFFERENTIATION; male reproductive organs, SPERMATOGENESIS; secondary male SEX CHARACTERISTICS; LIBIDO; development of muscle mass, strength, and power.	Androgen,Androgen Receptor Agonist,Androgen Effect,Androgen Effects,Androgen Receptor Agonists,Androgenic Agents,Androgenic Compounds,Agents, Androgenic,Agonist, Androgen Receptor,Agonists, Androgen Receptor,Compounds, Androgenic,Effect, Androgen,Effects, Androgen,Receptor Agonist, Androgen,Receptor Agonists, Androgen
D012595	Scleroderma, Systemic	A chronic multi-system disorder of CONNECTIVE TISSUE. It is characterized by SCLEROSIS in the SKIN, the LUNGS, the HEART, the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, the KIDNEYS, and the MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM. Other important features include diseased small BLOOD VESSELS and AUTOANTIBODIES. The disorder is named for its most prominent feature (hard skin), and classified into subsets by the extent of skin thickening: LIMITED SCLERODERMA and DIFFUSE SCLERODERMA.	Sclerosis, Systemic,Systemic Scleroderma,Systemic Sclerosis
D013256	Steroids	A group of polycyclic compounds closely related biochemically to TERPENES. They include cholesterol, numerous hormones, precursors of certain vitamins, bile acids, alcohols (STEROLS), and certain natural drugs and poisons. Steroids have a common nucleus, a fused, reduced 17-carbon atom ring system, cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene. Most steroids also have two methyl groups and an aliphatic side-chain attached to the nucleus. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)	Steroid,Catatoxic Steroids,Steroids, Catatoxic