Human xanthine oxidase antibody levels: variation between males and females in Chinese and Europeans.
Levels of antibody specific for Xanthine oxidase (XODAb) of the immunoglobulin classes IgG, IgM and IgA have been determined in the sera of blood donors of Chinese and European ethnic origin by immunoassay. No significant differences were found between the two ethnic groups. Significant differences were found in the distribution, of XODAb IgM levels between Chinese males and females and European males and females (chi 2 = 8.262, P = 0.025; chi 2 = 9.423, P = less than 0.001). Since the age range of the female blood donors is 16-49 years, it was postulated that the higher IgM XODAb levels in the females was the result of autoimmunisation by endothelial Xanthine oxidase during menstruation. A group of post-menopausal women showed significantly lower IgM XODAb levels compared to the blood donors (chi 2 = 31.748, P = less than 0.0005). IgM levels in a group of older men were also significantly lower (chi 2 = 3.895, P = less than 0.05) but the difference was much less marked. Unlike the younger males and females there was no significant difference in the distribution of XODAb IgM levels between older males and females. The results seem to support the hypothesis of menstrual auto-immunisation.
Lewis
W H
WH
Department of Health Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic, Hung Hom, Kowloon.
Ng
Y L
YL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008598:Menstruation / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase