[Association between polymorphism of CYP17 gene and serum hormone concentrations in aged men].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between polymorphism of CYP17 gene and serum hormone concentrations in aged men.


METHODS
Eighty-three healthy men at the average age of 66.7 were divided into a < 66.7 group (n = 36) and a > 66.7 group (n = 47), and the polymorphism of CYP17 gene in the 5' promoter region was investigated by PCR using DNA from the men's peripheral blood lymphocytes. A new recognition site was created for the restriction enzyme MspA1 I by transition (T --> C) in the risk allele (A2). Three genotypes A1/A1, A1/A2, A2/A2 were established, serum sex-hormone levels measured, and mean hormone concentration evaluated in each genotype and age group.


RESULTS
No evidence was found that the testosterone (T) level, estrogen (E2) level and T/E2 ratio were associated with the genotype of CYP17 gene. There was no significant difference in T and E2 levels between the two groups, but there was a significant increase in the T/E2 ratio (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A2 allele does not increase sex hormone levels in aged men, but the T/E, ratio was higher in the > 66.7 group than in the < 66.7 group. This may be closely associated with the mechanism of benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer in aged men.
Wang
Jun-Qi
JQ
Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China. wjq68@bjmu.edu.cn
Gu
Xiang
X
Chen
Jia-Cun
JC
Sun
Xiao-Qing
XQ
Mu
Hong-Tao
HT
Wei
Zeng-He
ZH
Li
Ming
M
Xin
Dian-Qi
DQ
Na
Yan-Qun
YQ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase