Elevation of C-reactive protein during the luteal phase in healthy adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Variations in inflammatory markers have been reported in adult women during the luteal phase, but whether these findings are observed during adolescence is unknown. We postulate that higher ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (usCRP) and lower 2-hydroxyestrone (2OHE) levels, an estrogen metabolite with cardioprotective actions, are present during the luteal phase in young women.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate usCRP levels during the menstrual cycle and to determine its association with 2OHE and 16α-hydroxyestrone (16OHE) in adolescents.


METHODS
Healthy postmenarcheal adolescents (N = 37) were studied during one menstrual cycle in follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase-like period (LP-L).


RESULTS
Elevations in usCRP levels in the LP-L were observed in the entire group and in anovulatory cycles (1.9 ± 1.1 mg/L in FP to 2.5 ± 1.8 mg/L in LP-L; p < 0.0001). Increases in estrone, estradiol, free and bioavailable estradiol, testosterone, usCRP and 2OHE levels were observed in LP-L compared with FP (p < 0.01), with a borderline elevation in IFG-I levels (p = 0.06).


CONCLUSIONS
We report an elevation of usCRP and 2OHE levels during the luteal phase in healthy adolescents. Elevations of this inflammatory marker in anovulatory adolescents without an increase in 2OHE may play a role in metabolic risks associated with chronic anovulation.
Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Maternal and Child Research, University of Chile , Santiago , Chile .
Paulina M
PM
Merino
Daniela
D
Martínez
German
G
Iñiguez
Patricia
P
Lopez
Fernando
F
Cassorla
Francisco
F
Perez-Bravo
Ethel
E
Codner
D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006894:Hydroxyestrones / Q000652:urine; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014504:Urban Health
D015415:Biomarkers; D006894:Hydroxyestrones; C026702:16-hydroxyestrone; D011374:Progesterone; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C024980:2-hydroxyestrone
Adolescence; C-reactive protein; cardiovascular risk; estrogens; hydroxyestrones; menstrual cycle; ovulation