title: Hormonal profiles and immunological studies of male lupus in Taiwan.
abstract: The aims of this study were to describe hormonal profiles, cytokine production and Fc-gamma receptor (Fcgamma-R) distribution in male lupus patients in Taiwan, and to look for any differences between our patients and normal individuals. Sixteen newly diagnosed and untreated male lupus patients were studied. Hormonal profiles were determined by radioimmunoassay. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) production from both monocytes and neutrophils was determined by ELISA and murine thymocyte proliferation assay. The FcgammaR distribution on both monocytes and neutrophils was detected by flow cytometer. There were no significant differences in FSH, LH, testosterone, oestradiol, and beta-HCG blood levels in male lupus patients compared with normal individuals; however, the prolactin level in lupus patients was significantly higher than in normal individuals. Furthermore, there was no difference in IL-1 and IL-1ra production from both monocytes and neutrophils among male and female lupus patients, and normal individuals. Male lupus patients have a significantly lower FcgammaRII distribution on both monocytes and neutrophils when compared with female lupus patients and normal individuals. It was concluded that the high prolactin level and low FcgammaR distribution may play a role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of male lupus.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. ming0503@ms3.hinet.net
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000378:metabolism*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins