[Increased level of prostate-specific antigen: a diagnostic marker of hyperandrogenism women].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the increased level of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) could be used as a diagnostic marker of hyperandrogenism in women. METHODS: Forty-five female patients with hyperandrogenism and 50 healthy control women were detected for the levels of serum PSA, testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). The results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The level of serum PSA was found to be significantly higher in the hyperandrogenism patients than in the healthy controls (9.72 +/- 1.39 pg/ml vs 3.56 +/- 0.44 pg/ml, P < 0.01), and it showed a weak positive correlation with T (r = 0.226, P < 0.05) and DHEA-S (r = 0.255, P < 0.05), and a weak negative correlation with SHBG (r = -0,228, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The increased level of PSA could be used as a diagnostic marker of hyperandrogenism in females.

[Development of radioimmunoassay for human sperm protein 17].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method of radioimmunoassay for human sperm protein 17(Sp17) determination. METHODS: Anti-recombinant human Sp17 antibody was prepared, the labeling of 125I-rhSp17 performed by chloramine T method, and radioimmunoassay of Sp17 developed. RESULTS: The assay range was 3.3 to approximately 800 microg/L, the sensitivity was 2.0 microg/L, and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) were 7.5% to approximately 9.8% and 8.2% to approximately 13.2%, respectively. The serum Sp17 level in normal subjects was (15.60 +/- 7.66) microg/L (n = 59). CONCLUSION: This radioimmunoassay of Sp17 fulfills the reasonable requirements of clinical routine and scientific studies in terms of specificity, sensitivity and practicability. Measurement of Sp17 concentration is useful for assessing its native distribution and aberrant expression.

[Association among lipids, leptin and leptin receptor polymorphisms with risk of breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between serum level of leptin and leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism and patients with breast cancer. METHODS: LEPR G1n223Arg polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 94 patients with breast cancer and 128 healthy controls. The level of leptin were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In univariate regression analyses, we found serum level of leptin and LEPR Gin223Arg genotype polymorphism were significantly higrer than those of the controls (P < 0.05-0.001, respectively). Through multivariable analyses, we found that increased risk estimates for breast cancer were among those with leptin level (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13-2.07, P = 0.006), LEPR Gin223Arg genotype (OR = 4.87, 95%CI:1.30-18.22, P = 0.019), WHR (OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.34-10.11, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Results from this study suggested that LEPR Gln233Agr polymorphism, the elevated WHR and serum level of leptin might be correlated with increased risk of breast cancer.