Endogenous oestradiol but not testosterone is related to coronary artery disease in men.

OBJECTIVES: Men die of coronary artery disease (CAD) more often than women. There is evidence that testosterone either is neutral or has a beneficial effect on male cardiovascular disease. The role of oestrogens in male CAD has been less studied. This study was carried out with the purpose of evaluating the relationship between sex hormone levels and CAD. DESIGN: Case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Men (aged 40-70) submitted to coronary angiography. A 70% occlusion of at least one major coronary artery defined the cases; subjects with ≤ 50% occlusion constituted the control group. MEASUREMENTS: Blood samples were collected for total testosterone (TT), oestradiol, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, lipid profile and albumin measurements. Bioavailable and free testosterone, free androgen index (FAI) and free oestrogen index (FEI) were calculated. Oestradiol and TT levels were examined as terciles, based on the whole study population. RESULTS: Of the 140 patients included, 72 were cases and 68 were controls. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar, except for the older age and lower LDL-C in the cases. Oestradiol and FEI but not total, bioavailable and free testosterone and FAI correlated positively with CAD. After adjustments for potential confounders, oestradiol remained statistically significant. The prevalence of CAD was significantly higher in the 3rd than in the 1st tercile of oestradiol. CONCLUSION: In this study, men with CAD had higher oestradiol and FEI levels. Additional studies are needed to clarify the direction of causality and possible underlying mechanisms.

Endogenous Oestradiol but Not Testosterone Is Related to Coronary Artery Disease in Men Sex hormones and coronary artery disease

Men die of coronary artery disease more often (CAD) than women. There is evidence that testosterone is either neutral or has a beneficial effect on male cardiovascular disease. The role ofoestrogens in male CAD has been less studied. This study was carried out with the purpose of evaluating the relationship between sex hormones levels and coronary artery disease.Designer: Case-control study.Participants: Men (aged 40-70) submitted to coronary angiography. A 70% occlusion of at least one major coronary artery defined the cases; subjects with ¡Ü 50% occlusion constituted the control group.Measurements: Blood samples were collected for total testosterone, oestradiol, LH, FSH, SHBG, lipid profile and albumin measurements. Bioavailable and free testosterone, FAI and FEI were calculated. Oestradiol and total testosterone levels were examined as terciles, based on the wholestudy population. Results: Of the 140 patients included, 72 were cases and 68 were controls. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar, except for the older age and lower LDL-C in the cases. Oestradiol and FEI but not total, bioavailable and free testosterone and FAI correlated positively with CAD. After adjustments for potential confounders oestradiol remained statistically significant. Theprevalence of CAD was significantly higher in the 3rd than in the 1st tercile of oestradiol.

Y chromosome in Turner syndrome: review of the literature / Cromossomo Y na síndrome de Turner: revisão da literatura

Turner syndrome (TS) is one of the most common types of aneuploidy among humans, and is present in 1:2000 newborns with female phenotype. Cytogenetically, the syndrome is characterized by sex chromosome monosomy (45,X), which is present in 50-60 percent of the cases. The other cases present mosaicism, with a 45,X cell line accompanied by one or more other cell lines with a complete or structurally abnormal X or Y chromosome. The presence of Y-chromosome material in patients with dysgenetic gonads increases the risk of gonadal tumors, especially gonadoblastoma. The greatest concern is the high risk of developing gonadoblastoma or other tumors and virilization during puberty if chromosome Y-specific sequences are present. The role of the Y chromosome in human oncogenesis is still controversial. Even though gonadoblastoma is a benign tumor, it can undergo transformation into invasive dysgerminoma in 60 percent of the cases, and also into other, malignant forms of germ cell tumors. Although some authors have questioned the high incidence of gonadoblastoma (around 30 percent), the risk of developing any kind of gonadal lesion, whether tumoral or not, justifies investigation of Y-chromosome sequences by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a highly sensitive, low-cost and easy-to-perform technique. In conclusion, mosaicism of both the X and the Y chromosome is a common finding in TS, and detection of Y-chromosome-specific sequences in patients, regardless of their karyotype, is necessary in order to prevent the development of gonadal lesions.

A síndrome de Turner (ST) é uma das aneuploidias mais comuns em humanos e está presente em 1:2000 recém-nascidas com fenótipo feminino. Citogeneticamente, a síndrome é caracterizada por uma monossomia de cromossomo sexual (45,X) em 50-60 por cento dos casos. Os demais casos apresentam mosaicismo com uma linhagem celular 45,X acompanhada de outra(s) com o cromossomo X ou Y íntegros ou com alterações estruturais. A presença de material do cromossomo Y em pacientes com gônadas disgenéticas aumenta o risco de tumores gonadais, especialmente gonadoblastoma. A consideração mais importante diz respeito ao elevado risco de desenvolvimento de gonadoblastoma ou outros tumores e a virilização na puberdade se sequências cromossomo Y-específicas estiverem presentes. O papel do cromossomo Y na oncogênese dos cânceres humanos ainda é controverso. Apesar de o gonadoblastoma ser um tumor benigno, ele pode transformar-se num disgerminoma invasivo em 60 por cento dos casos e também em outras formas malignas de tumores de células germinativas. Apesar de alguns autores questionarem a alta incidência (em torno de 30 por cento) de gonadoblastoma, o risco do desenvolvimento de qualquer tipo de lesão gonadal, tumoral ou não, justifica a pesquisa de sequências do cromossomo Y por PCR (reação de polimerase em cadeia), técnica de alta sensibilidade, baixo custo e fácil execução. Em conclusão, o mosaicismo cromossômico tanto do X como do Y é um fato comum na ST e a detecção de sequências cromossomo Y-específicas nas portadoras, independentemente do seu cariótipo, é necessária para prevenir o desenvolvimento de lesões gonadais.

Testosterona sérica e doença cardiovascular em homens: [revisão] / Serum testosterone and cardiovascular disease in men: [review]

As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) representam atualmente o principal grupo de causa de morte no Brasil. Os homens morrem mais de doença arterial coronariana e possuem níveis mais elevados de testosterona do que as mulheres. No entanto, estudos recentes indicam que os andrógenos podem ter efeito benéfico e/ou neutro no sistema cardiovascular masculino. Baixos níveis de testosterona endógena têm sido relacionados à presença de vários componentes da síndrome metabólica, incluindo dislipidemia, obesidade visceral, hipertensão arterial sistêmica e estados pró-trombóticos. Os dados da relação entre testosterona e reatividade vascular, aterosclerose e mortalidade cardiovascular nos homens são escassos, com os resultados de estudos disponíveis apresentando contradições. Grandes estudos randomizados e prospectivos são necessários para avaliar a função específica dos andrógenos nas DCV masculinas, para que melhores conclusões possam ser estabelecidas.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the main cause of death in Brazil. Men die more of coronary artery disease and they have higher levels of testosterone than women. However, recent studies indicate that androgens can have beneficial and/or neutral effect in the male cardiovascular system. Low levels of endogenous testosterone have been involved with the presence of some components of the metabolic syndrome including dyslipidemia, visceral obesity, hypertension and thrombus formation process. Consistent data on the relationship between testosterone and vascular reactivity, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality in men are rare, with the results of available studies presenting contradictions. Large randomized and prospective trials are needed to evaluate androgen-specific function in male CVD so that better conclusions can be established.

[Serum testosterone and cardiovascular disease in men]. / Testosterona sérica e doença cardiovascular em homens.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the main cause of death in Brazil. Men die more of coronary artery disease and they have higher levels of testosterone than women. However, recent studies indicate that androgens can have beneficial and/or neutral effect in the male cardiovascular system. Low levels of endogenous testosterone have been involved with the presence of some components of the metabolic syndrome including dyslipidemia, visceral obesity, hypertension and thrombus formation process. Consistent data on the relationship between testosterone and vascular reactivity, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality in men are rare, with the results of available studies presenting contradictions. Large randomized and prospective trials are needed to evaluate androgen-specific function in male CVD so that better conclusions can be established.

Y chromosome in Turner syndrome: review of the literature.

Turner syndrome (TS) is one of the most common types of aneuploidy among humans, and is present in 1:2000 newborns with female phenotype. Cytogenetically, the syndrome is characterized by sex chromosome monosomy (45,X), which is present in 50-60% of the cases. The other cases present mosaicism, with a 45,X cell line accompanied by one or more other cell lines with a complete or structurally abnormal X or Y chromosome. The presence of Y-chromosome material in patients with dysgenetic gonads increases the risk of gonadal tumors, especially gonadoblastoma. The greatest concern is the high risk of developing gonadoblastoma or other tumors and virilization during puberty if chromosome Y-specific sequences are present. The role of the Y chromosome in human oncogenesis is still controversial. Even though gonadoblastoma is a benign tumor, it can undergo transformation into invasive dysgerminoma in 60% of the cases, and also into other, malignant forms of germ cell tumors. Although some authors have questioned the high incidence of gonadoblastoma (around 30%), the risk of developing any kind of gonadal lesion, whether tumoral or not, justifies investigation of Y-chromosome sequences by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a highly sensitive, low-cost and easy-to-perform technique. In conclusion, mosaicism of both the X and the Y chromosome is a common finding in TS, and detection of Y-chromosome-specific sequences in patients, regardless of their karyotype, is necessary in order to prevent the development of gonadal lesions.

Prevalence of the polymorphism MTHFR A1298C and not MTHFR C677T is related to chromosomal aneuploidy in Brazilian Turner Syndrome patients / A prevalência do polimorfismo A1298C e não do C677T do gene MTHFR está relacionada à ocorrência de aneuploidias cromossômicas em mulheres brasileiras portadoras da síndrome de Turner

BACKGROUND: Dysfunctions in the folate metabolism can result in DNA hypomethylation and abnormal chromosome segregation. Two common polymorphisms of this enzyme (C677T and A1298C) reduce its activity, but when associated with aneuploidy studies the results are conflicting. The objective of the present study is to analyze the MTHFR gene polymorphisms in women with Turner Syndrome and in a control group, correlating the findings to the chromosomal aneuploidy. METHODS: The study comprised 140 patients with Turner Syndrome, of which 36 with chromosome mosaicism and 104 non-mosaics, and a control group of 209 fertile and healthy women without a history of any offspring with aneuploidy. Polymorphisms C677T and A1298C were studied by RFLP-PCR and the results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The frequency of genotypes MTHFR 677CC, 677CT and 677TT in the patients with Turner Syndrome and chromosome mosaicism was, respectively, 58.3 percent, 38.9 percent and 2.8 percent. Among the patients with non-mosaic Turner Syndrome, 47.1 percent presented genotype 677CC, 45.2 percent genotype 677CT, and 7.7 percent genotype 677TT. Among the 209 individuals of the control group, genotypes 677CC, 677CT and 677TT were found at the following frequencies: 48.3 percent, 42.1 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively. As for polymorphism A1298C, the patients with Turner Syndrome and chromosome mosaicism presented genotypes 1298AA, 1298AC and 1298CC at the following frequencies: 58.3 percent, 27.8 percent and 13.9 percent, respectively. Among the non-mosaic Turner Syndrome patients, genotype 1298AA was found in 36.5 percent, genotype 1298AC in 39.4 percent, and genotype 1298CC in 22.1 percent. In the control group, genotypes 1298AA, 1298AC and 1298CC were present at the following frequencies: 52.6 percent, 40.7 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively. CONCLUSION: No correlation was observed between the MTHFR gene polymorphism 677 and chromosomal aneuploidy in the...

INTRODUÇÃO: Disfunções no metabolismo dos folatos podem resultar em hipometilação do DNA e na segregação cromossômica anormal. Dois polimorfismos comuns no gene MTHFR (C677T e A1298C) reduzem a atividade da enzima e, quando associados a estudos de aneuploidias apresentam resultados conflitantes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi a análise dos polimorfismos do gene MTHFR em mulheres portadoras da síndrome de Turner e em indivíduos de grupo-controle, correlacionando os achados ao mecanismo de formação de aneuploidias cromossômicas. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 140 portadoras da síndrome de Turner sendo 36 com mosaicismo cromossômico e 104 não-mosaicos, e um grupo-controle composto por 209 mulheres férteis e saudáveis sem história de prole com aneuplodia. Os polimorfismos MTHFR C677T e A1298C foram estudados por RFLP-PCR e os resultados analisados estatisticamente. RESULTADOS: A freqüência dos genótipos MTHFR 677CC, 677CT e 677TT nas pacientes portadoras de síndrome de Turner e mosaicismo cromossômico foi, respectivamente, 58,3 por cento, 38,9 por cento e 2,8 por cento. Das pacientes portadoras de síndrome de Turner não-mosaico, 47,1 por cento apresentaram o genótipo 677CC, 45,2 por cento o genótipo 677CT e 7,7 por cento apresentaram o genótipo 677TT. Nos 209 indivíduos do grupo-controle, os genótipos 677CC, 677CT e 677TT foram encontrados nas seguintes freqüências: 48,3 por cento, 42,1 por cento e 9,6 por cento, respectivamente. Quanto ao polimorfismo A1298C, as portadoras de síndrome de Turner e mosaicismo cromossômico apresentaram os genótipos 1298AA, 1298AC e 1298CC nas seguintes freqüências: 58,3 por cento, 27,8 por cento e 13,9 por cento, respectivamente. Já nas portadoras de Síndrome de Turner não-mosaico, o genótipo 1298AA foi encontrado em 36,5 por cento, o genótipo 1298AC em 39,4 por cento e o genótipo 1298 CC em 22,1 por cento . No grupo-controle, os genótipos 1298AA, 1298AC e 1298CC estavam presentes nas freqüências 52,6 por cento...

Clinical implications of the detection of Y-chromosome mosaicism in Turner's syndrome: report of 3 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical implications of the presence of a Y chromosome in Turner's syndrome patients with karyotype abnormalities. DESIGN: To investigate the presence of Y-chromosome sequences in different tissue samples. SETTING: Endocrinology outpatient clinic of a federal university in Brazil. PATIENT(S): Five Turner's syndrome patients with karyotype abnormalities such as marker chromosomes, additional material, or ring chromosomes. INTERVENTION(S): Peripheral blood, oral epithelial cells, and hair root samples were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The SRY gene and the DYZ3 repeat region were amplified by polymerase chain reaction followed by gel electrophoresis mobility of amplified genomic DNA, and ultraviolet visualization. Prophylactic gonadectomy was offered to the Y-positive patients. RESULT(S): The analysis of the different tissues revealed that three of the five patients studied presented Y-chromosome mosaicism. These three patients underwent prophylactic gonadectomy, and in one of them, the histopathologic study of the gonads disclosed hilus cell hyperplasia and stromal luteoma with contralateral nodular hyperthecosis. CONCLUSION(S): A systematic search for Y-chromosome mosaicism in Turner's syndrome patients is justified by the risk of developing gonadal tumors or androgen-producing lesions.

Prevalence of the polymorphism MTHFR A1298C and not MTHFR C677T is related to chromosomal aneuploidy in Brazilian Turner Syndrome patients.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunctions in the folate metabolism can result in DNA hypomethylation and abnormal chromosome segregation. Two common polymorphisms of this enzyme (C677T and A1298C) reduce its activity, but when associated with aneuploidy studies the results are conflicting. The objective of the present study is to analyze the MTHFR gene polymorphisms in women with Turner Syndrome and in a control group, correlating the findings to the chromosomal aneuploidy. METHODS: The study comprised 140 patients with Turner Syndrome, of which 36 with chromosome mosaicism and 104 non-mosaics, and a control group of 209 fertile and healthy women without a history of any offspring with aneuploidy. Polymorphisms C677T and A1298C were studied by RFLP-PCR and the results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The frequency of genotypes MTHFR 677CC, 677CT and 677TT in the patients with Turner Syndrome and chromosome mosaicism was, respectively, 58.3%, 38.9% and 2.8%. Among the patients with non-mosaic Turner Syndrome, 47.1% presented genotype 677CC, 45.2% genotype 677CT, and 7.7% genotype 677TT. Among the 209 individuals of the control group, genotypes 677CC, 677CT and 677TT were found at the following frequencies: 48.3%, 42.1% and 9.6%, respectively. As for polymorphism A1298C, the patients with Turner Syndrome and chromosome mosaicism presented genotypes 1298AA, 1298AC and 1298CC at the following frequencies: 58.3%, 27.8% and 13.9%, respectively. Among the non-mosaic Turner Syndrome patients, genotype 1298AA was found in 36.5%, genotype 1298AC in 39.4%, and genotype 1298CC in 22.1%. In the control group, genotypes 1298AA, 1298AC and 1298CC were present at the following frequencies: 52.6%, 40.7% and 6.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: No correlation was observed between the MTHFR gene polymorphism 677 and chromosomal aneuploidy in the Turner Syndrome patients. However, the MTHFR gene polymorphism at position 1298, mainly genotype 1298CC that reduces the enzyme efficiency, was more frequent in the group of Turner Syndrome patients, suggesting its involvement in mechanisms related to chromosomal imbalances.

Detection of hidden Y mosaicism in Turner's syndrome: importance in the prevention of gonadoblastoma.

UNLABELLED: The presence of Y chromosome fragments in patients with Turner's syndrome (TS) is known to increase the risk of gonadoblastoma. The investigation of Y sequences is usually performed only in the presence of marker chromosomes and therefore does not rule out the presence of hidden mosaicism in patients with 45,X TS without any marker. AIMS: 1. To investigate the presence of hidden Y mosaicism in non-mosaic 45,X patients with TS, using samples from different tissues, and its association with the development of gonadoblastoma. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients with a 45,X karyotype were studied. The SRY and DYZ3 sequences were amplified by PCR, using genomic DNA from peripheral blood, oral epithelial cells and hair roots. Prophylactic gonadectomy was offered to the Y-positive patients. RESULTS: The analysis of the different tissues revealed that seven (35%) out of the 20 patients studied presented hidden chromosome Y mosaicism. Four of these patients underwent prophylactic gonadectomy, and bilateral gonadoblastoma was found in one of them. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic search for hidden Y chromosome mosaicism in patients with TS and 45,X karyotype is justified by the possibility of developing gonadoblastoma.

Ascite devido à peritonite crônica em LES / Ascite due to chronic peritonitis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Ascite secundária a peritonite ocorre clinicamente em cerca de 11 por cento dos pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES), sendo mais freqüênte na fase aguda da doença. Descrevemos um caso raro de peritonite lúpica com ascite intensa e de evoluçäo crônica e chamamos a atençäo para a dificuldade no diagnóstico e no tratamento. Trata-se de uma paciente de 30 anos, sexo feminino, com diagnóstico de LES que desenvolveu distensäo abdominal de grande monta devido à ascite indolor, associado a edema de membros inferiores. Foram realizadas paracenteses que mostraram-se compatíveis com exsudato, porém sem crescimento bacteriano e ausência de células neoplásicas. A pesquisa de células LE no líquido ascítico foi negativa. Realizados US de abdome e laparoscopia, mostraram apenas ascite e a biópsia peritoneal demonstrou peritonite crônica inespecífica. Foi introduzido pulsoterapia com ciclofosfamida 750 mg IV e prednisona VO na dose de 20mg/dia, obtendo-se estabilizaçäo da ascite, mas permanecendo ainda pequeno volume residual, com tendência a regressäo. Em conclusäo, ascite por peritonite crônica é uma manifestaçäo rara de LES e todo esforço dever ser feito para que outras causas sejam excluídas. O tratamento pode exigir o uso de imunossupressor.