title: Correlation of serum 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide with acne and chest hair density in men.
abstract: Serum 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (3 alpha-Adiol-G) is considered to be an indicator of peripheral tissue androgen metabolism. Precursor circulating androgens are converted in peripheral tissue to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is ultimately metabolized to 3 alpha-Adiol-G and secreted from the cell. Elevated serum 3 alpha-Adiol-G concentrations have been reported in women in hyperandrogenic states. We studied 44 consecutive male medical students for chest hair density, acne, and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), total testosterone (total T), free and albumin-bound (bioavailable) T (bio T), and 3 alpha-Adiol-G concentrations. Although there was considerable overlap of serum 3 alpha-Adiol-G values among the groups defined by hair density or acne scores, we found statistically significant correlations between serum 3 alpha-Adiol-G and chest hairiness (P = 0.0034), acne (P = 0.0005), and a combined chest hairiness and acne score (P = 0.0018). There was no significant correlation between these clinical parameters and the levels of precursor androgens. There was, however, a strong correlation between serum 3 alpha-Adiol-G and bio T (P = 0.0005), suggesting that in men serum 3 alpha-Adiol-G levels may be dependent upon available free and albumin-bound T. The correlations in men of serum 3 alpha-Adiol-G with chest hair density, acne, and the hairiness and acne index supports the hypothesis that the serum levels of 3 alpha-Adiol-G reflect the extent of androgen action in peripheral tissues.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey 17033.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Lookingbill
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Santen
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Demers
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood*; D000732:Androstanols / Q000097:blood*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013909:Thorax
chemical_list: D000732:Androstanols; D012709:Serum Albumin; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; C028895:androstane-3,17-diol glucuronide; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate