MEDICINSKI GLASNIK

32
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Influence of short-term changes in sex hormones on serum
concentrations of cellular adhesion molecules in young healthy
women
Ivana Begić 1 , Ana Čavka 2 , Martina Mihalj 2 , Tatjana Baćun 1 , Ines Drenjančević 2
1 2 Internal Medicine Clinic, University Hospital Centre of Osijek, Osijek, Department of Physiology and Immunology, School of Medicine
of the University “Josip Juraj Strossmayer”; Osijek, Croatia
Corresponding author:
Ines Drenjančević
Department of Physiology and Immunology,
School of Medicine University Josip
Juraj Strossmayer; Osijek
Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Phone: +385 31 512 882;
fax: +385 31 512 866;
E-mail: ines.drenjancevic@mefos.hr
Original submission:
28 June 2011;
Revised submission:
20 August 2011;
Accepted:
21 August 2011.
ABSTRACT
Med Glas Ljek komore Zenicko-doboj kantona 2012; 9(1):32-36
Aim To determine if short-term changes in sex hormones (such as
cyclic changes within the menstrual cycle) can influence the serum
concentration of soluble cell adhesion molecules (CAMs).
Methods Sixteen healthy young women with normal cycles participated
in this study. Serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and
E-selectin were determined in three different phases of the menstrual
cycle: a) early follicular (EF) phase, b) ovulatory (O) phase
and c) midluteal (ML) phase, by standardized ELISA-based kits.
To confirm the exact assessment of menstrual cycle phases, serum
levels of estrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH were measured.
Results There were significant oscillations in serum female sex
hormones concentration over the cycle duration, as expected the
level of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (PROG) was the lowest
in EF phase, the highest E2 appeared in O phase, and both E2
and PROG were present in high concentrations during ML phase.
There was a significant positive correlation between E2 and serum
soluble ICAM -1 concentrations (p=0,041, correlation coefficient
0,306). However, there was no significant change in other soluble
CAMs concentration during the menstrual cycle.
Conclusion Results of our study suggest that short-term
changes in female sex hormone levels could modulate
expression of soluble ICAM-1, but not VCAM -1 or
E-selectin in extent that would affect a young woman’s
health.
Key words: cell adhesion molecules, female sex hormones, sI-
CAM-1, sVCAM-1, E-selectin