Relation between markers of inflammation and estradiol in older men.
BACKGROUND
Inflammation plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis. Studies in women receiving estrogens show their proinflammatory effects. This study sought to determine relation between sex hormones and 2 inflammation markers: C-reactive protein and fibrinogen.


METHODS
One hundred men of at least age 50 years were enrolled in the study. Plasma levels of total testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen were measured. Free estradiol and free testosterone were calculated.


RESULTS
Estradiol and free estradiol levels were positively correlated with C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. In a subgroup analysis, this association persisted only in patients with stable coronary artery disease. No significant correlations were found between testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, and markers of inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that estradiol may have proinflammatory effects in older men with coronary artery disease.
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Wojciech
W
Barud
Robert
R
Palusinski
Jerzy
J
Beltowski
Grazyna
G
Wojcicka
Wojciech
W
Myslinski
Andrzej
A
Grzybowski
Boguslaw
B
Makaruk
Jolanta
J
Mieczkowska
Jerzy
J
Mosiewicz
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein