Circadian rhythm of androstendione and free testosterone in asthmatic women with postmenopausal hormone therapy.
OBJECTIVE
of this study was to assess daily rhythm of androstendione (delta4alpha) and free testosterone (FT) levels in postmenopausal asthmatic women before and after hormonal replacement therapy and the influence of inhaled glucocorticosteroids (GC).


METHODS
54 asthmatic and 20 healthy postmenopausal women (aged 48-59) before and after 6 months of estrogen plus progestin therapy (EPT) were studied. Hormone concentrations in serum (delta4alpha and FT) were assessed with the use of RIA method. Statistical analysis of the circadian rhythm was performed with the use of cosinor test according to Halberg et al


RESULTS
Cosinor analysis of delta4alpha and FT secretion during the day showed existence of daily rhythm in three studied groups before as well as after postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT). A statistically significant decrease of circadian concentrations of delta4alpha and FT in groups of patients treated with GC was observed. Changes in amplitude of delta4alpha and FT rhythm between studied groups were not observed. However, displacement of rhythm acrophase of studied hormones in asthmatic women in comparison to control group before and after HT was shown. No significant differences in circadian values of delta4alpha and FT concentrations before HT use compared to values after HT were shown.


CONCLUSIONS
Postmenopausal asthmatic women show diminished circadian concentrations of androstendione and free testosterone in serum caused among other things by inhalative GC. Postmenopausal hormone therapy did not influence any changes in function of studied endocrine organs.
Kos-Kudla
B
B
Dept. of Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, Silesian Medical University, Zabrze. beatakos@ka.onet.pl
Ostrowska
Z
Z
Marek
B
B
Kajdaniuk
D
D
Nowak
M
M
Kudla
M
M
Glogowska-Szelag
J
J
Lisik
V
V
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione