The relationship of estrogen receptor-alpha polymorphism with symptoms and other characteristics in post-menopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of the estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) genotypes (PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms) on symptoms and bone density.


METHODS
We recruited 177 post-menopausal women to register hot flashes, vaginal dryness, depression, anxiety, sleep alterations, and serum hormones (FSH, LH, estrone, and estradiol). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured with a radiographic method, correcting with an external reference. ER-alpha genotyping was carried out by PCR.


RESULTS
Scores for vaginal dryness were lower for the xx (P = 0.003), and pp genotypes (P = 0.006). Hot flashes were lower for the Pp (P = 0.006) genotype. FSH circulating levels were lower for Xx genotype (P = 0.036). The factors associated with BMD were estrone (P > 0.000001), estradiol (P = 0.0035) and XbaI (P = 0.035). Vaginal dryness, was associated with PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms (P = 0.037 and P = 0.039). Depression was associated with log(estrone) (P = 0.011), schooling (negatively, P = 0.012), and marginally with BMI (P = 0.066). Sleep alterations correlated with log(estrone) (P = 0.014) and marginally with years since menopause (P = 0.046). Anxiety correlated with schooling (negatively, P = 0.006) and age (p = 0.015), and hot flashes with schooling (negatively, P = 0.014). BMD was associated with log(estrone) (p < 0.000001), estradiol (negatively, P = 0.0036), and marginally with XbaI (P = 0.036).


CONCLUSIONS
In post-menopausal women, the ER-alpha polymorphism was associated with vaginal dryness, and hot flashes but not with other physical or emotional symptoms. Extraglandular estrogen production, and diverse molecular factors related to estrogen action may play an important role in this process.
Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Universidad de Guanajuato, 20 de Enero 929, Leon Gto 37160, Mexico. jmmalacara@hotmail.com
Juan Manuel
JM
Malacara
Elva Leticia
EL
Pérez-Luque
Sandra
S
Martínez-Garza
Francisco Javier
FJ
Sánchez-Marín
D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D004522:Educational Status; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000235:genetics*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D005819:Genetic Markers; D004970:Estrone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone