Serum parathyroid hormone levels are associated with FokI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene in untreated postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Allelic variants in polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been related to the incidence of secondary, as well as primary, hyperparathyroidism. In spite of their pathophysiological importance, the relationships between VDR genotypes and serum PTH regulation in normal women have not been extensively investigated. METHODS: We studied the association between the VDR gene (FokI polymorphism) and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels during the winter in 95 untreated, postmenopausal women with normal values of serum PTH. We checked statistically for years since menopause (YSM) and serum ionized calcium. Intergroup differences in serum PTH levels between FF, Ff, and ff allele combinations of FokI polymorphism were evaluated using a one-way ANCOVA and the least significant difference (LSD) multiple comparisons test. RESULTS: Significant intergroup differences were found in PTH values (P<0.035, ANCOVA), which were higher in the ff than in the FF genotype (P<0.01, LSD). No differences in serum PTH were found between allele combinations in ApaI, TaqI, and BsmI polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the FokI polymorphism of the VDR gene is closely related to the magnitude of PTH secretion and/or degradation in postmenopausal women. The causal importance of this phenomenon in the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis remains to be determined.     

Apolipoprotein E genotype and response of lipid levels to postmenopausal estrogen use

The allelic variation of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) influences serum lipid levels. Postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) has favorable effects on the serum lipid profile. We examined the effect of ApoE genotype on lipid response to ERT in 692 community-dwelling women aged 60 and older. ApoE genotypes were categorized into three groups: ApoE 2 (E2/E2+E2/E3, n=94), ApoE 3 (E3/E3, n=430), and ApoE 4 (E3/E4+E4/E4, n=142). Compared to 497 women not using ERT, 169 women currently using ERT were younger (P=0.01), had lower levels of total cholesterol (TC; P=0.10) and low-density lipoprotein (P<0.001), higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL; P<0.001) and triglycerides (TG; P=0.009), and were more likely to have had a surgical menopause (P<0.001). No significant differences in body mass index, alcohol intake, physical activity, or cigarette smoking were found between current ERT users and nonusers (P>0.10). There was a significant interaction between ApoE 2 and ERT for HDL levels: women with ApoE 2 using ERT had the highest HDL levels, and women with ApoE 2 not using ERT had the lowest HDL levels (P=0.015). The unfavorable effect of ApoE 4 genotype on lipoproteins is not altered by HRT, but ApoE 2 genotype modulates the HDL-ERT association in older women.     

Postmenopausal serum androstenedione levels are associated with the calcitonin receptor gene polymorphism T1377c. A pilot study

We tested the hypothesis that homeostasis of sex-steroids is related to the calcitonin receptor (CALCR) genotype. To determine the CALCR genotype PCR amplification followed by digestion with Alul restriction enzyme were carried out according to Nakamura et al. Indeed, a single nucleotide difference at position 1377 of cDNA generates two alleles (CC genotype or TT genotype). Serum estradiol, testosterone and their precursors androstendione (AD) and DHEA levels were estimated in a cohort of 113 postmenopausal women. While serum DHEA levels did not differ between the individual allele combinations, AD levels as well as AD/DHEA ratio were higher in carriers of TC and CC genotypes than those with TT genotype (p<0.05 and p<0.02, respectively, ANCOVA). We postulate that the 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity is associated with C allele at least in C19 steroids. The data correspond with the functionality of CALCR.     

载脂蛋白E增强子基因多态性与冠心病及血清脂质的关系

目的研究载脂蛋白E(Apo E)内含子1增强子元件(IE1)基因多态性与人类冠心病(CHD)及其血脂水平的关系.方法采用聚合酶链式反应结合限制酶切片段长度多态分析方法,分析了79例健康人及91例冠心病患者的IE1基因型及测定血清血脂.结果CHD组IE1G/G基因型频率(0.604)和G等位基因频率(0.758)分别显著高于对照组(0.392,0.652;P＜0.05);CHD组的G/G基因型的血清总胆固醇高于同组的G/C基因型和C/C基因型,也高于对照细G/G基因型(P均＜0.05).结论IE1G/G基因型及G等位基因是冠心病的危险因子.     

Apolipoprotein E and Paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms are associated with lower serum thyroid hormones in postmenopausal women

Objective  Autoimmune thyroiditis and overt or subclinical hypothyroidism have been associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Design  Cross-sectional investigation of the association between gene polymorphisms related to CVD with thyroid function and autoimmunity.
Patients  In total 84 healthy postmenopausal women aged 49–69 years.
Measurements  FT3, FT4, anti-TPO and anti-TG were assessed in the sera of participants. The following polymorphisms were assessed from peripheral lymphocyte DNA: Apolipoprotein E E2/E3/E4, paraoxonase 1 A/B, Glycoprotein IIIa leu33pro, MTHFR ala222val, ApoBarg3500gln, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 4G/5G, cholesterol 7-α hydroxylase A204C and cholesterol ester transfer protein B1/B2.
Results  A statistically significant correlation was found between Apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase1 polymorphisms and serum thyroid hormones: carriers of the E2 or E4 allele of the ApoE gene had lower levels of FT4 ( P  = 0·0005) than women with the E3/E3 genotype. Carriers of the B allele of paraoxonase 1 gene had lower levels of FT3 compared to women with the wild-type genotype ( P =  0·047). A statistically significant positive association ( P =  0·049) was also observed between anti-TG antibodies and the presence of the E2 allele of the Apolipoprotein E gene.
Conclusions  Polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase 1 are associated with different levels of thyroid hormone and anti-Tg antibody levels in the study population in this pilot study. The mechanism underlying this association remains to be elucidated.     

妊娠期高血压疾病患者胎盘组织中ApoE、LPL ser447stop基因多态性检测及意义

目的检测妊娠期高血压疾病(HDP)患者胎盘组织中载脂蛋白E(ApoE)及脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)第9外显子(ser447stop)基因多态性,并探讨其临床意义。方法采用multi-ARMS PCR及PCR-RFLP方法,分别检测36例妊娠期高血压患者(A组)、94例子痫前期患者(B组)及130例正常妊娠妇女(C组)胎盘组织中的ApoE及LPLser447stop基因多态性。结果 A组ApoE2/3、E2/4、E3/3、E3/4及E4/4基因表型频率分别为25.00%、0、50.00%、22.22%、0,B组分别为19.15、0、56.38、24.47%、1.06%,C组分别为14.61%、3.08%、76.92%、5.38%、0.77%。A、B组E3/3、E3/4基因型与C组比较,P均<0.01。A组ApoE等位基因ε2、ε3、ε4频率分别为12.50%、73.61%、11.11%,B组分别为9.57%、78.19%、13.30%,C组分别为8.46%、86.54%、5.00%。A、B组ApoE等位基因ε3、ε4与C组比较,P均<0.05。共检测到3例LPL ser447stop杂合子变异,其中B组2例,C组1例。各组间比较,P均>0.05。结论 HDP患者胎盘组织中ApoE3/4基因表型、ApoEε4等位基因频率增高,ApoEε3等位基因频率降低;ApoE3/4基因表型可能是HDP的危险因素,ApoEε4等位基因可能是HDP的遗传易患因子,而ApoEε3等位基因则具有保护作用。LPL ser447stop基因多态性可能与HDP的发生无关。     

ApoE genotypes are associated with age at natural menopause in Chinese females

Ages at natural menarche and menopause are influenced by several genetic factors. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype and the age at menarche and natural menopause in Chinese females. In the current study, 398 (elderly group, aged 47–80 years) and 825 (young group, aged 15–25 years) Chinese females were enrolled under informed content. Ages at natural menarche and menopause were obtained by questionnaires. ApoE genotypes were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. In the elderly group, the number of pregnancies and live births and breastfeeding were associated with the age at menopause (P = 0.008, P = 0.002, and P = 0.023, respectively). One-way ANOVA analysis revealed that the ApoE genotype was significantly associated with age at natural menopause (ANM; P = 0.010). Compared with ApoE ε3/3 carriers, ApoE ε3/4 females showed a 1.8-year delay in ANM (P = 0.002). Single ApoE allele-positive/allele-negative analysis also showed that the age at menopause of ApoE ε4 carriers was delayed compared with those who were not carriers (P = 0.023). In the young group, no statistical difference was found in the age of menarche between the carriers of ApoE ε3/3 and ε3/4. Single ApoE allele-positive/allele-negative analysis showed that the age at menarche in ApoE ε4 carriers was slightly earlier than in those who were not carriers (P = 0.048). Meanwhile, univariate association analysis revealed that the ApoE genotypes were not significantly associated with the age at menarche using age as a covariate in the pooled group (young + elderly) (P = 0.143). We demonstrated that the ApoE genotype is significantly linked to the age at natural menopause.     

西北地区中老年人群ApoE基因分布特征及血脂水平与认知功能障碍的关系

目的 探讨我国西北地区中老年人群ApoE基因分布特征及其血脂水平与轻度认知障碍（MCI）、阿尔兹海默病（AD）患者发病的关系。方法 以门诊就诊和住院的陕西、甘肃、青海等地区患者为研究对象,根据MCI及AD诊断标准,从中筛查出MCI组120例,AD组64例,正常对照组65例;采用基因芯片法行ApoE基因型测定及血脂检测,并进行统计学分析。结果 本研究中6种基因型均有测出;所选3组人群的ApoE基因型分布符合Hardy-Weinberg遗传平衡定律;3组间的基因型分布E3/E3纯合子频率最高(72.3%),E2/E2型最少（1.5%）,其中,MCI组及AD组E3/E4和E4/E4基因型频率明显高于对照组,而E2/E3型则低于对照组(均P<0.05);MCI组与AD组之间的等位基因分布频率差异无显著性;从血脂水平与基因多态性关系上,AD组患者血清TC、LDL-C水平明显增高,与对照组比较,差异有显著性(P<0.05);MCI及AD组患者中ApoEε4基因型TC、LDL-C 水平明显高于ApoEε2基因型(P<0.05),组间对照显示MCI及AD组ApoEε4基因型TC、LDL-C水平均高于对照组(P<0.05),但MCI与AD组ApoEε4基因型TC、LDL-C水平无明显差异。结论 西北地区中老年人群的ApoE基因分布具有一定的地域特性,其人群MCI及AD的患病与ApoE基因的多态性及血脂水平存在一定的关联。     

Effect of apoE genotype on the hypolipidaemic response to pravastatin in an outpatient setting

BACKGROUND: Considerable variability exists in the plasma lipid and lipoprotein response to statin treatment due, in part, to genetic factors. The gene for apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is polymorphic and the different genotypes modulate baseline lipid levels. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the apoE genotype on the lipoprotein response to pravastatin treatment in an outpatient population followed-up in several different clinics across Spain. Subjects and methods. Subjects (n=401; 56% female; mean age 57 years), who were hypercholesterolaemic despite a diet poor in saturated fat and cholesterol, were treated according to NCEP-ATP II guidelines. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins were measured centrally before and after 16 weeks of treatment with 20 mg day-1 of pravastatin. RESULTS: ApoE genotype distributions were 3.2% with varepsilon2/3, 73.1% with varepsilon3/3 and 22.4% with varepsilon3/4 or varepsilon4/4. ApoE genotype did not have any effect on baseline lipid levels except on triglycerides such that the carriers of the varepsilon2 allele had concentrations significantly greater than those subjects with varepsilon3/3 genotype and carriers of the varepsilon4 allele after adjustment for age, gender and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001). Once adjusted for age, gender, BMI and baseline lipid levels, the apoE polymorphism did not significantly influence the plasma lipid and lipoprotein response to pravastatin. CONCLUSION: ApoE genotype appears not to influence the hypolipidaemic effect of pravastatin in patients monitored in a general outpatient setting.     

Role of apolipoproteins E and A-I: epistatic villains of triglyceride mediation in coronary heart disease

The epistatic effects of ApoE (HhaI) and ApoA-I (PstI) genes as the genetic modulators of lipid levels were investigated in 165 angiographically verified CHD patients and 120 controls of Punjab, a northwest province of India. It has been revealed that of all the genotypic combinations of ApoE and ApoA-I, E4 allele carriers (E4+) with P1P2 genotype (ApoA-I/PstI) had higher risk of CHD (OR 2.99, CI 1.31-6.8, P<0.01) which exacerbated (OR 3.44, CI 1.45-8.15, P<0.01) after adjustment with the confounders. Individually, neither ApoA-I nor ApoE was found to be associated with TG levels however, pairwise epistasis (additive x additive model) explored their significant synergistic contributions with raised TG levels (P<0.01).     

脑出血患者载脂蛋白Eε4等位基因与血脂及血糖水平的关系

目的　探讨载脂蛋白E(ApoE)ε4等位基因与脑出血患者血脂及血糖水平的关系。方法　用聚合酶链反应 限制性片段长度多态性技术检测 2 2 5例脑出血患者的ApoE基因型 ,并进行血脂、血糖含量测定。结果　在脑出血患者中 ,ε4等位基因携带者的高密度脂蛋白胆固醇较非ε4等位基因携带者明显减少 ,血糖明显增高。结论　在高血压动脉硬化基础上 ,ApoEε4等位基因可通过血脂及血糖代谢异常加重动脉硬化 ,从而更易导致脑出血。     

Homozygosity in the ApoE 4 polymorphism is associated with dysphagic symptoms in older adults

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is the most well‐described genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and nonpathological cognitive decline. While possession of the E2 allele may have protective properties, substantial research evidence suggests the E4 allele increases the risk of cognitive degeneration. As neurodegenerative processes are implicated in swallowing dysfunction, we hypothesized that the presence of ApoE 4 would be predictive of dysphagia symptoms in older adults. Eight hundred members of a genetically well characterized community dwelling elderly cohort received the Sydney oropharyngeal dysphagia questionnaire via mail. Cognitive function was also measured using the modified Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status (TiCS‐m) and depression with the Geriatric Depression Score (GDS). ApoE allele was genotyped on blood samples from all subjects and data analyzed using standard statistical software (SPSS version 16). Completed questionnaire response rate was 79% (23.5% men, 76.5% women; mean age 81 ± 5 years; range 69–98 years). Possession of one or more of the ApoE 4 and 2 alleles was found in 23.5% and 16%, respectively. Swallowing score was significantly related to GDS (rho 0.133, P < 0.001**) and age (rho 0.107, P < 0.007**) but not general cognitive function as measured by TICS‐m. Self‐reported swallowing function was not significantly associated with heterozygosity of any allele or homozygosity for E2 or E3 alleles. Although infrequent (1.1% of all subjects) ApoE E4 homozygosity was significantly associated with higher swallowing scores compared to all other allele combinations (P = 0.033) and while attenuated, was still predicted in multivariate regression modeling (B = 0.812; SE = 0.323; P = 0.012). We report the association between ApoE 4 homozygous genotype and self‐reported oropharyngeal dysphagia symptoms in community‐dwelling older adults. As this association is weakened by the multivariate analysis and the population frequency of ApoE 4 allele homozygosity is low, this finding while intriguing requires replication in larger independent cohorts.     

载脂蛋白E基因多态性与冠心病的关系

目的 研究载脂蛋白E(ApoE)基因多态性与冠心病发病及对血脂代谢影响的关系。方法 对71例冠心病患者(CHD组)和69例正常对照者(对照组)的静脉全血白细胞提取DNA,应用PCR,HhaI酶切,用12％聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳,检测出其ApoE基因型及等位基因分布频率。结果 CHD组及对照组均检出4种基因型,分别是E     

The relationship between apolipoprotein E4 and lipid metabolism is impaired in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Human apolipoprotein (Apo) E4 (ApoE4) is an important determinant of lipid metabolism and cell-to-cell cholesterol transport. It is also a major genetic risk factor for both vascular disease and familial and sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since vascular pathology could dramatically reduce neuronal reserve capacity, a biological chain of events between ApoE4, hypercholesterolemia and AD has been postulated. The aim of the present study is to explore the relationship between lipid metabolism and ApoE isoforms in a large series of elderly subjects in relation to the presence or absence of AD. METHODS: Of 332 referrals to a neurology clinic specializing in memory disorders, 146 were given a diagnosis of AD (age, mean +/- SD 76 +/- 13.1 years, 64.4% women) according to DSM-IIIR criteria. One hundred and seventy-six subjects were included as controls (age 80 +/- 5.6 years, 58% women). The ApoE phenotype was determined by the isoelectrofocalization method, cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, ApoA and ApoB were determined by routine chemistry. FINDINGS: A significant association was observed between the E4 allele and AD (chi2 = 13, p < 0.001) only below age 80. In the control group, cholesterol levels were found to be significantly higher in men but not in women with an E4 allele (6.35 +/- 1.3 mmol/l) as opposed to those without (5.8 +/- 1.2 mmol/l). ApoB levels were also found to be higher in the presence of ApoE4, with no gender effect. Within the AD group no significant relationship was found between ApoE4 and cholesterol levels (mean 6.05 +/- 0.9 mmol/l in E4-AD subjects versus 5.8 +/- 1.21 mmol/l in non-E4-AD subjects). Similar observations were made in relation to triglycerides and phospholipids. INTERPRETATION: Our results demonstrate the disappearance of the ApoE4-raising effect on serum cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels in AD suggesting a more complex relationship between AD and lipid metabolism than has previously been supposed. This lipid abnormality may further contribute to the progression of AD.     

载脂蛋白E基因多态性对血脂水平的影响及与冠状动脉狭窄的关系

为探讨载脂蛋白E基因多态性对血脂水平的影响及与冠状动脉狭窄程度的关系 ,采用聚合酶链反应—限制片段长度多态性对 95例冠心病患者和 46例正常对照者载脂者蛋白E基因型进行分析 ,同时测定血脂及载脂蛋白B水平。并根据冠状动脉受累支数不同将冠心病患者分为冠状动脉多支病变组和单支病变组。结果显示 ,5 5例冠状动脉病变多支组和 40例冠状动脉单支病变组E3/ 4基因型和ε4等位基因频率均高于对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ,且多支病变组E3/ 4基因型和ε4等位基因频率高于单支病变组 (P <0 .0 5 )。与E3/ 3及E2 / 3基因型比较 ,E3/ 4基因型者有较高的总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和载脂蛋白B水平及较低的高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平。与对照组比较 ,冠心病组E3/ 4基因型升高总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和载脂蛋白B的作用及降低高密度脂蛋白胆固醇的作用更明显。表明载脂蛋白E基因多态性影响血胆固醇代谢 ,ε4等位基因与冠心病危险性增加有关 ,ε4等位基因频率升高的冠心病者冠状动脉受累支数加重 ,推测ε4等位基因可能与冠状动脉狭窄程度存在内在联系。     

Estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms are associated with estradiol levels in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: Postmenopausal estradiol (E(2)) levels vary widely between individuals and this variation is an important determinant of diseases such as osteoporosis. It has been suggested that the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene may influence peripheral E(2) levels, but the role of common sequence variations in the ESR1 gene is unclear. METHODS: In 631 postmenopausal women and 528 men from the Rotterdam Study, a population-based, prospective cohort study of individuals aged 55 years and over, ESR1 PvuII-XbaI haplotypes were determined and correlated with plasma E2 levels. RESULTS: In women, haplotype 1 (T-A) was significantly associated with an allele-dose-dependent decrease in E(2). After adjusting for age, body mass index, years since menopause and testosterone levels, plasma E(2) levels decreased by 1.90 pmol/l per allele copy of this haplotype (P < 0.05). Extreme genotypes, representing 23 and 27% of the population, varied by 3.93 pmol/l. No association with plasma testosterone was observed. In a subset of 446 women, no association of genotype with plasma concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione or estrone was seen. In men, none of the sex hormone levels was associated with the ESR1 PvuII-XbaI haplotypes. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated a role for genetic variations in the ESR1 gene in determining post-menopausal E(2) levels in women.     

Effects of DHEA replacement on bone mineral density and body composition in elderly women and men

OBJECTIVE: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor for both oestrogens and androgens. Its marked decline with ageing may influence age-related changes in tissues influenced by sex hormones. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of DHEA replacement on bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in elderly women and men with low serum DHEA sulphate (DHEAS) levels. DESIGN: Prospective 6 month trial of oral DHEA replacement, 50 mg/day. PATIENTS: Experimental subjects were 10 women and eight men, aged 73 +/- 1 years. Control subjects were 10 women and eight men, aged 74 +/- 1 years. MEASUREMENTS: BMD, body composition, serum markers of bone turnover, serum lipids and lipoproteins, oral glucose tolerance, serum IGF-I, total serum oestrogens and testosterone. RESULTS: BMD of the total body and lumbar spine increased (mean +/- SEM; 1.6 +/- 0.6% and 2.5 +/- 0.8%, respectively; both P < or = 0.05), fat mass decreased (- 1.3 +/- 0.4 kg; P < 0.01) and fat-free mass increased (0.9 +/- 0.4 kg; P < or = 0. 05) in response to DHEA replacement. DHEA replacement also resulted in increases in serum IGF-I (from 108 +/- 8 to 143 +/- 7 microg/l; P < 0.01) and total serum testosterone concentrations (from 10.7 +/- 1.2 to 15.6 +/- 1.8 nmol/l in the men and from 2.1 +/- 0.2 to 4.5 +/- 0.4 nmol/l in the women; both P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results provide preliminary evidence that DHEA replacement in those elderly women and men who have very low serum DHEAS levels can partially reverse age-related changes in fat mass, fat-free mass, and BMD, and raise the possibility that increases in IGF-I and/or testosterone play a role in mediating these effects of DHEA.     

Apolipoprotein E 4 allele is associated with low bone density in postmenopausal women

Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) genotypes have been associated with a number of involutional disorders. Recently some studies have examined whether the Apo E 4 allele might play a role in the pathophysiology of postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, association analysis between Apo E genotypes, BMD, bone loss or fracture risk have not brought universal findings. The aim of this study was, therefore, to determine the relationship between the presence or absence of Apo E 4 allele and BMD in postmenopausal women of Caucasian origin. We studied 113 women, age 62.5 +/- 8.9 yr, who underwent measurement of hip and spine BMD by dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA, g/cm2). Apo E genotypes were assessed by PCR amplification and by restriction typing with Cfol enzyme. The Apo E allele frequencies in the study population were as follows: E2 0.084, E3 0.845, E4 0.071. Because the Apo E 4 allele was associated with osteoporosis in previous studies, the probands were dichotomized by the presence or absence of Apo E 4 allele. After adjustment for BMI and years since menopause BMD at the lumbar spine varied significantly by Apo E 4 status. Women with Apo E 4 allele had significantly lower BMD at the lumbar spine than women with no Apo E 4 allele (p<0.003, ANCOVA). In contrast, there were no significant differences in BMD at the hip comparing women with or without the Apo E 4 allele. To conclude, these data may support the importance of Apo E 4 allele in determining postmenopausal spine bone mass.     

Adrenopause or decline of serum adrenal androgens with age in women living at sea level or at high altitude

The present study aimed to determine adrenopause or reduction of serum adrenal androgens with age at high altitude and at sea level. It was a cross-sectional study performed in 210 women resident at high altitude (4340 m) and 123 women living in Lima (150 m), aged 20-70 years. Fasting early morning blood samples were obtained. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulphate (DHEAS), androstenedione, testosterone and estradiol were measured by radioimmunoassay. Serum testosterone concentrations were greater in women living at high altitude than in those resident at sea level. Serum concentrations of DHEA, DHEAS and androstenedione were lower in women living at high altitude than in those living at sea level. The DHEAS/DHEA ratio was significantly greater, and the androstenedione/testosterone ratio was lower in samples from women living at high altitude. Among women older than 50 years of age, a greater decline in serum concentrations of DHEA was observed in those living at high altitude than in those living at sea level. Among women 60-70 years of age, serum concentrations of DHEA at high altitude were 46.9% of those in women of the same age living at sea level. Decay of DHEAS at sea level and at high altitude occurred from the age of 40 years. The decline was faster at high altitude than at sea level, and in women aged 60-70 years serum values of DHEAS at high altitude were 56% of those at sea level. In the same age group, serum concentrations of androstenedione among those native to high altitudes were 27.34% of the value at sea level. At sea level, serum testosterone concentrations did not change with age from 20 to 70 years. In women aged 20-39 years and 50-59 years, serum testosterone concentrations were greater at high altitude than at sea level (P<0.05). In those aged 60-70 years, the concentrations were similar in those living at sea level and at high altitude. At sea level and at high altitude, the serum testosterone/estradiol ratio increased with age (P<0.0034 and P<0.0001 respectively). This ratio increased at an earlier age among those living at high altitude (40-49 years) than among those living at sea level (50-59 years). Multivariate analysis showed that altitude (P<0.0001) and greater chronological age (P<0.001) were associated with lower serum DHEAS concentrations. DHEAS was related to chronological age (P<0.0001). Low serum androstenedione concentrations were related to living at high altitude at birth and greater chronological age (P<0.0001). In conclusion, adrenopause is attained earlier and is of greater magnitude at high altitude than at sea level.     

北京地区55岁及以上人群载脂蛋白E基因多态性分布特点及其与血脂的关系

目的探讨载脂蛋自E（ApoE）基因多态性在北京地区≥55岁人群中的分布特点及其对血清胆固醇（TC）和低密度脂蛋白胆围醇（LDL—C）水平的影响。方法2000年7-9月,在北京的城区、平原地区和山区,随饥抽取≥55岁者2103人,检测ApoE基因多态性和血脂水平。结果①2103人轼冈型分布以E3／3最多（1428人,67．9％）,以下依次为E2／3（306人,14．6％）,E3／4（291人,13．8％）,E2／4（38人,1．8％）,E2／2（21人,1．0％）和E4／4（19人,0．9％）;等位基因分市s3占82．1％,e2占9．2％．e4占8．7％.②基因型分布在不同年龄、地区间,差异均有统计学意义（P=0．045．P=0．002）。≥75岁者E2／3、E3／3基因型较多,E2／4、E3／4、E4／4基因型较少;与〉／75岁者比较,〈75岁者F4／4明显增多：E3／3基因型山区高于平原,平原又高于城市,而E3／4则相反．城市高于平原高于山区。与ApoE3组比较,ApoE2组TC和LDL—C较低,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;而ApoFA组TC和LDL—C均增高,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。④经年龄、性别、体质量指数分层竹,与ApoE3组相比,ApoE2组的Tc和LDL—C均明显降低（P〈0．01,TC在女性中等异不明湿）;ApoE4组的TC和LDL—C水平在符年龄组、男性、体质量指数〈28kg／m3者中均增高,俺差异尢统计学意义（P〉0．05）;结论〉155岁的人群中,ApoE2基因型者TC和LDL明显降低．存北京地区血脂预防重点应放在〈75岁老人及城区老人中。