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Alterations in Pattern Baldness According to Sex: Hair Metabolomics Approach. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11030178. [PMID: 33803764 PMCID: PMC8003215 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11030178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Pattern baldness has been associated with the male hormone, dihydrotestosterone. In this study, we tried to determine how the overall metabolic pathways of pattern baldness differ in patients and in normal controls. Our study aimed to identify alterations in hair metabolomic profiles in order to identify possible markers of pattern baldness according to sex. Untargeted metabolomics profiling in pattern baldness patients and control subjects was conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. To identify significantly altered metabolic pathways, partial least squares discriminant analysis was performed. Our analysis indicated differences in steroid biosynthesis pathway in both males and females. However, there was a remarkable difference in the androgen metabolic pathway in males, and the estrogen metabolic and arachidonic acid pathways in females. For the first time, we were able to confirm the metabolic pathway in pattern baldness patients using hair samples. Our finding improves understanding of pattern baldness and highlights the need to link pattern baldness and sex-related differences.
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Untargeted Metabolomics and Steroid Signatures in Urine of Male Pattern Baldness Patients after Finasteride Treatment for a Year. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10040131. [PMID: 32235609 PMCID: PMC7241081 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10040131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Male pattern baldness (MPB) has been associated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) expression. Finasteride treats MPB by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase and blocking DHT production. In this study, we aimed to identify metabolic differences in urinary metabolomics profiles between MPB patients after a one-year treatment with finasteride and healthy controls. Untargeted and targeted metabolomics profiling was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We hypothesized that there would be changes in overall metabolite concentrations, especially steroids, in the urine of hair loss patients treated with finasteride and normal subjects. Untargeted analysis indicated differences in steroid hormone biosynthesis. Therefore, we conducted targeted profiling for steroid hormone biosynthesis to identify potential biomarkers, especially androgens and estrogens. Our study confirmed the differences in the concentration of urinary androgens and estrogens between healthy controls and MPB patients. Moreover, the effect of finasteride was confirmed by the DHT/T ratio in urine samples of MPB patients. Our metabolomics approach provided insight into the physiological alterations in MPB patients who have been treated with finasteride for a year and provided evidence for the association of finasteride and estrogen levels. Through a targeted approach, our results suggest that urinary estrogens must be studied in relation to MPB and post-finasteride syndrome.
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Lee YR, Lew BL, Sim WY, Lee J, Hong J, Chung BC. Altered polyamine profiling in the hair of patients with androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. J Dermatol 2019; 46:985-992. [PMID: 31464015 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.15063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hair follicles are among the most highly proliferative tissues. Polyamines are associated with proliferation, and several polyamines including spermidine and spermine play anti-inflammatory roles. Androgenic alopecia results from increased dihydrotestosterone metabolism, and alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. This study aimed to investigate differences in polyamine profiles in hair samples between patients with androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. Polyamine concentrations were determined through high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Hair samples were derivatized with isobutyl chloroformate. Differences in polyamine levels were observed between androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata compared with normal controls. In particular, polyamine levels were higher in alopecia areata patients than in normal controls. Certain polyamines displayed different concentrations between the androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata groups, suggesting that some polyamines, particularly N-acetyl putrescine (P = 0.007) and N-acetyl cadaverine (P = 0.0021), are significantly different in androgenic alopecia. Furthermore, spermidine (P = 0.021) was significantly different in alopecia areata. Our findings suggest that non-invasive quantification of hair polyamines may help distinguish between androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. Our study provides novel insights into physiological alterations in patients with androgenic alopecia and those with alopecia areata and reveals some differences in polyamine levels in hair loss diseases with two different modes of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ra Lee
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea.,KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bark Lynn Lew
- Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woo Young Sim
- Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeongae Lee
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jongki Hong
- KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.,College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bong Chul Chung
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea.,KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
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Im E, Lew BL, Lee MY, Lee J, Paeng KJ, Chung BC. Simultaneous determination of androgens and prostaglandins in human urine using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2019; 1109:45-53. [PMID: 30716600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A simultaneous quantitative profiling method for androgens and prostaglandins using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated to evaluate urinary androgen and prostaglandin levels. Solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction steps were combined during the sample preparation. β-Glucuronidase/arylsulfatase was also used in the enzyme hydrolysis step. Chemical derivatization was performed using 2-hydrazinopyridine for simultaneous determination of androgen and prostaglandin in the same ionization mode. The analytes were all separated and measured using multiple reaction monitoring in the positive ion mode within a run time of 22 min. The method was validated, achieving overall recoveries ranging from 81.0 to 102.9% with limits of quantification ranging from 0.01 to 2 ng/mL. The intra-day accuracy and precision ranged from 6.5 to 14.3% and from 77.1 to 106.8%, respectively. The inter-day accuracy and precision ranged from 8.9 to 18.2% and 89.9 to 101.4%, respectively. The linearity was expressed using the correlation coefficient, which was >0.99. The method developed herein was used to investigate the effects of a one-year finasteride treatment through differences in urinary androgen and prostaglandin levels between treated male pattern baldness patients and normal controls. The urinary androgen and prostaglandin levels were not significantly different between the two groups because of the administration of finasteride. The results confirmed that finasteride affects androgens and PGs related to hair regrowth and growth length, and a one-year finasteride treatment is effective for MPB. The mass spectrometry-based quantitative profiling method used herein for the investigation of male pattern baldness also holds great potential for the evaluation of androgens and prostaglandins associated with the metabolism of various inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunju Im
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Bark Lynn Lew
- Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, 05278, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Yeon Lee
- Advanced Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongae Lee
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Jung Paeng
- Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Chul Chung
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, 02447 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Shin JW, Chung EH, Kim MB, Kim TO, Kim WI, Huh CH. Evaluation of long-term efficacy of finasteride in Korean men with androgenetic alopecia using the basic and specific classification system. J Dermatol 2018; 46:139-143. [PMID: 30536893 PMCID: PMC6587453 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.14719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Finasteride 1 mg is considered to be the standard treatment method for male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, there have only been a few studies investigating its long‐term efficacy. Moreover, its effect on various types of AGA remains unknown. In this study, the authors investigated the 5‐year efficacy of finasteride 1 mg in Korean men with AGA and analyzed the changes in hair growth according to the distribution of hair loss. The medical records of male AGA patients who were treated with oral finasteride for a period of at least 5 years at two university hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' photographs were evaluated using the basic and specific (BASP) classification and investigator's global assessment. Of the total 126 patients, 108 (85.7%) showed improvement after 5 years of treatment. According to the BASP classification, hair loss of the anterior hair line (basic type), vertex (V type), and frontal area (F type) was improved in 44.4%, 89.7% and 61.2% of patients, respectively. The V type showed a more rapid and steady improvement compared with the other types. Progression of alopecia after peak improvement was seen in 10.3% of cases of the V type, 16.2% of the F type and 0% of the basic type. In conclusion, finasteride 1 mg showed a sustainable effect for at least 5 years in Korean male AGA patients. The exact time points showing signs of first clinical improvement and sustainability were different depending on the type of alopecia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Won Shin
- Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Euy-Hyun Chung
- Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Moon-Bum Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan, Korea
| | - Tae-Ook Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Woo-Il Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Chang-Hun Huh
- Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
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Huang Y, Pei Y, Guan H, Wei S, Wu H, Zhou Y, Pei J, Chen L, Wang Y, Chen Y, Han Q, Wang D, Wang D. Stability and Pharmacological Effects of Gene-Recombinant Wild Type and Mutant Human Adrenocorticotropic Hormone. Pharm Res 2017; 34:793-799. [PMID: 28127707 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-017-2107-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is the only medicine for treating infantile spasms, however, it is catabolized rapidly. In order to make an ACTH derivative with prolonged effects, we prepared genetically engineered wild type (WT) and mutant ACTH candidates based on protease database analysis, and compared their stability and pharmacological effects. METHODS For analysis of stability, serum concentration of WT and mutant ACTH candidates were tested at different time after intravenous injection, and elimination curves were calculated to compare pharmacokinetic properties of WT and E5D-mutant ACTH. For comparison of their pharmacological effects, levels of glucocorticoids (GC) in the blood serum and secreted from cultured Y1 mouse adrenal cells were tested, and their effects on the signaling pathway mediating the expression of genes critical for GC synthesis were analyzed. The effects of ACTHs on transcription levels of the genes involved in GC synthesis were tested by qPCR. RESULTS The blood concentration of E5D ACTH is higher than the WT after injection, and E5D mutation increased the t1/2 and AUC of ACTH. Pharmacological experiments showed that the effects of E5D and Y2S mutant ACTH on the production of GC and the critical signal transduction were equivalent to those of WT. WT, E5D and Y2S ACTH also have similar effects on the transcriptional levels of the genes for GC synthesis, including STAR, P450-scc, 3β-HSD, and SF-1. CONCLUSION The stability of E5D mutant ACTH is higher than WT ACTH. The pharmacological effects of E5D ACTH is equivalent to those of WT ACTH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglin Huang
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Yechun Pei
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Huai Guan
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Shuangshuang Wei
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China.,School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, 61801, USA
| | - Jinli Pei
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Lintao Chen
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Yuerong Wang
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Yibo Chen
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Qian Han
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Daming Wang
- Qiqihar Teachers College, Heilongjiang, 161005, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Pharmacology, Hainan Province Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, Hainan University, Hainan, 570208, China.
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Moon JY, Choi MH, Kim J. Metabolic profiling of cholesterol and sex steroid hormones to monitor urological diseases. Endocr Relat Cancer 2016; 23:R455-67. [PMID: 27580660 PMCID: PMC5064754 DOI: 10.1530/erc-16-0285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol and sex steroid hormones including androgens and estrogens play a critical role in the development and progression of urological diseases such as prostate cancer. This disease remains the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumor in men and is the leading cause of death from different cancers. Attempts to understand the role of cholesterol and steroid metabolism in urological diseases have been ongoing for many years, but despite this, our mechanistic and translational understanding remains elusive. In order to further evaluate the problem, we have taken an interest in metabolomics; a discipline dedicated to the systematic study of biologically active metabolites in cells, tissues, hair and biofluids. Recently, we provided evidence that a quantitative measurement of cholesterol and sex steroid metabolites can be successfully achieved using hair of human and mouse models. The overall goal of this short review article is to introduce current metabolomic technologies for the quantitative biomarker assay development and also to provide new insight into understanding the underlying mechanisms that trigger the pathological condition. Furthermore, this review will place a particular emphasis on how to prepare biospecimens (e.g., hair fiber), quantify molecular profiles and assess their clinical significance in various urological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Yeun Moon
- Molecular Recognition Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea
| | - Man Ho Choi
- Molecular Recognition Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jayoung Kim
- Departments of Surgery and Biomedical SciencesCedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA Department of MedicineUniversity of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Lee DY, Kim E, Choi MH. Technical and clinical aspects of cortisol as a biochemical marker of chronic stress. BMB Rep 2016; 48:209-16. [PMID: 25560699 PMCID: PMC4436856 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2015.48.4.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is now recognized as a universal premorbid factor associated with many risk factors of various chronic diseases. Acute stress may induce an individual's adaptive response to environmental demands. However, chronic, excessive stress causes cumulative negative impacts on health outcomes through "allostatic load". Thus, monitoring the quantified levels of long-term stress mediators would provide a timely opportunity for prevention or earlier intervention of stress-related chronic illnesses. Although either acute or chronic stress could be quantified through measurement of changes in physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of various metabolic hormones, it is still elusive to interpret whether the changes in circulating levels of stress mediators such as cortisol can reflect the acute, chronic, or diurnal variations. Both serum and salivary cortisol levels reveal acute changes at a single point in time, but the overall long-term systemic cortisol exposure is difficult to evaluate due to circadian variations and its protein-binding capacity. Scalp hair has a fairy predictable growth rate of approximately 1 cm/month, and the most 1 cm segment approximates the last month's cortisol production as the mean value. The analysis of cortisol in hair is a highly promising technique for the retrospective assessment of chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Yup Lee
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 136-702, Korea
| | - Eosu Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, Korea
| | - Man Ho Choi
- Future Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Korea
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Son HH, Lee DY, Seo HS, Jeong J, Moon JY, Lee JE, Chung BC, Kim E, Choi MH. Hair sterol signatures coupled to multivariate data analysis reveal an increased 7β-hydroxycholesterol production in cognitive impairment. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 155:9-17. [PMID: 26385606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Altered cholesterol metabolism could be associated with cognitive impairment. The quantitative profiling of 19 hair sterols was developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled to multivariate data analysis. The limit of quantification of all sterols ranged from 5 to 20 ng/g, while the calibration linearity was higher than 0.98. The precision (% CV) and accuracy (% bias) ranged from 3.2% to 9.8% and from 83.2% to 119.4%, respectively. Among the sterols examined, 8 were quantitatively detected from two strands of 3-cm-long scalp hair samples of female participants, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n=15), Alzheimer's disease (AD, n=31), and healthy controls (HC, n=36). The cognitive impairment (MCI or AD) was correlated with a higher metabolic rate than that of HCs based on 7β-hydroxycholesterol (P<0.005). Significant negative correlations (r=-0.822) were detected between Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and hair sample metabolic ratios of 7β-hydroxycholesterol to cholesterol, which is an accepted, sensitive, and specific tool for discriminating HCs from individuals with MCI or AD. In conclusion, improved diagnostic values can be obtained using hair sterol signatures coupled with MMSE scores. This method may prove useful for predictive diagnosis in population screening of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Hwa Son
- Materials and Life Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, South Korea
| | - Do-Yup Lee
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 136-702, South Korea
| | - Hong Seog Seo
- Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul 152-703, South Korea
| | - Jihyeon Jeong
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Moon
- Materials and Life Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, South Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Lee
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 136-702, South Korea
| | - Bong Chul Chung
- Materials and Life Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, South Korea
| | - Eosu Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, South Korea.
| | - Man Ho Choi
- Materials and Life Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, South Korea.
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Moon JY, Kwon W, Suh S, Cheong JC, In MK, Chung BC, Kim JY, Choi MH. Reference ranges for urinary levels of testosterone and epitestosterone, which may reveal gonadal function, in a Korean male population. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 140:100-5. [PMID: 24333796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2013] [Revised: 11/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis, or marijuana, the most commonly used illicit drug in the world, has been shown to be responsible for suppressing the production and secretion of androgens, particularly testosterone. However, despite such findings in animals, the chronic effects of marijuana use on human endocrine systems have proved to be inconsistent. Here, we investigated the reference ranges of urinary levels of testosterone (T) and epitestosterone (E) as well as their metabolic ratio of T/E in a Korean male population (n=337), which would enable an evaluation of abnormal changes in steroid metabolism induced by habitually administered cannabis. The T/E ratio was significantly decreased in the marijuana group (n=18), while the urinary testosterone concentrations were also tended to decrease. This study is the first to provide data for the reference values of two urinary androgens and T/E values among control Korean males, and, furthermore, suggests that the T/E ratio, though not testosterone levels, might be used to understand the suppression of human male gonadal function affected by smoking marijuana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Yeon Moon
- Future Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, South Korea
| | - Woonyong Kwon
- Forensic Science Division, Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seoul 137-730, South Korea
| | - Sungill Suh
- Forensic Science Division, Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seoul 137-730, South Korea
| | - Jae Chul Cheong
- Forensic Science Division, Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seoul 137-730, South Korea
| | - Moon Kyo In
- Forensic Science Division, Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seoul 137-730, South Korea
| | - Bong Chul Chung
- Future Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, South Korea
| | - Jin Young Kim
- Forensic Science Division, Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seoul 137-730, South Korea.
| | - Man Ho Choi
- Future Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, South Korea.
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