Hormonal parameters and sex hormone receptor gene polymorphisms in men with autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are more common in women than in men. Sex hormones may play a role. Sex hormone receptors (SHR) are expressed in cells of the immune system. We investigated the possible role of hormonal parameters and of common polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), beta (ESR2), and androgen receptor (AR) genes in the appearance of AD in men. 277 men were studied; 125 with ≥1 AD: Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis (n = 65), Graves’ disease (n = 12), SLE (n = 10), and RA (n = 38). 152 were controls. Hormonal and biochemical parameters were measured after discontinuation for ≥1 month of any corticosteroid therapy. ESR1 PvuII, ESR2 AluI, and the AR (CAG)n repeats polymorphisms were analyzed. AD patients had higher estradiol levels (31.32 ± 12.10, controls 20.37 ± 7.91 pg/ml, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, significant predictors for AD were estrogen and BMI. The allele frequency of ESR1 PvuII and ESR2 AluI did not differ between patients and controls (AD: 47.8 %, 37.6 %; controls 49.8 %, 39.9 %). The distribution of (CAG)n did not differ between groups. In AD group, shorter (CAG)n alleles were associated with younger age of AD onset (short: 38.52 ± 14.8, long: 47.14 ± 17.34 years, p = 0.048). Carriers of ESR1 PvuII presented less frequently ≥2 AD (carriers 6.5 %, non-carriers 25.1 %, p = 0.019); carriers of AluI had lower SHBG levels and higher ΒΜΙ compared to non-carriers (p < 0.04). Higher estradiol may play a role in AD in men. Distribution of SHR gene polymorphisms is similar between patients and controls. Shorter AR (CAG)n repeats may predispose for younger AD onset. Coexistence of ≥2 AD is less frequent in carriers of ESR1 PvuII. ESR2 AluI may adversely affect obesity parameters.