Low serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone in Albanian female patients with allergic disease

Abstract

Evidence from several unrelated animal models and some studies conducted in humans, points to the immunomodulatory effects of androgens on various components of the immune system, especially on allergic disorders. This study evaluated the serum concentrations of sex hormones in women with allergy. For this purpose, blood samples were obtained from 78 participants in order to detect serum IgE concentrations, total testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA-S. The majority of the subjects (54) in the study were consecutive patients with doctor-diagnosed allergic pathologies: 32 with allergic rhinitis, 10 with asthma and rhinitis, and 12 with skin allergies. In addition, 24 healthy volunteers were included in the research as the control group. The average age of the subjects was 32.54 years (SD ± 11.08 years, range between 4–59 years). All participants stated that they had not used any medical treatment to alleviate any of their symptoms prior to taking part in the research. They all underwent skin-prick tests for common aero-allergens, which was used as criterion for subject selection. Hence, the subjects were selected if they reacted positively to at least one aero-allergen. Their height and weight were measured in order to calculate the BMI. As a result, statistically significant differences between controls and allergic women in serum concentrations of androgens (testosterone, p = 0.0017; DHEA-S, p = 0.04) were found, which lead to the conclusion that the concentration of total serum testosterone and DHEA-S was lower in female patients with allergic diseases compared to controls.

The Relationship between Allergic Disease and Sexual Dysfunction: A Scoping Review

“…Both male and female allergic patients are found to have decreased serum testosterone levels [63, 64], which can lead to a decrease in sexual desire and impairment in erectile function [65]. Testosterone is thought to inhibit airway smooth muscle contraction and reduce type 2 inflammation, and there is also evidence suggesting that androgen therapy may be a potential treatment option for asthma [66].…”

Asma E Hormônios Sexuais: Uma Revisão Sobre O Comportamento Da Asma Na Mulher

“…Além da incidência de asma na mulher ser maior nos anos reprodutivos, na meia-idade elas têm cerca de duas vezes mais chances de apresentar a doença quando comparadas aos homens 1 . Essa mudança no padrão epidemiológico coincide com variações hormonais em ambos os sexos, o que sugere uma possível influência dos hormônios sexuais em sua fisiopatologia (1) (3) . Neste contexto, tanto a prevalência quanto a gravidade da doença são estatisticamente maiores em mulheres 4 , sendo que estas apresentam também maior probabilidade de recorrer a atendimento de emergência, precisar de internação e até mesmo falecer devido à asma 5 .…”