title: Serum steroid hormone profiles in postmenopausal smokers and nonsmokers.
abstract: Morning serum steroid levels were determined in postmenopausal chronic smokers and nonsmokers. Postmenopausal smokers (n = 9) had significantly elevated levels of cortisol, progesterone (P), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione, and testosterone compared with nonsmokers (n = 16). The increases were most significant for cortisol (P less than 0.001) and 17-OHP (P less than 0.0005). Estrone, estradiol, dihydrotestosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate did not differ between the groups. P to estrogen ratios tended to be higher in the smoking population. The significantly elevated P levels observed in the group of postmenopausal smokers may explain, in part, the epidemiologic finding that women smokers have a decreased incidence of endometrial carcinoma. In addition, the hypercortisolism associated with smoking may increase the risk of osteoporosis.
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000097:blood; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking; D013256:Steroids / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D013256:Steroids; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D004970:Estrone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone