A news article discusses a new study finding a link between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and testosterone levels. The original study is also online:
"The protective tips of chromosomes, called telomeres, are shorter in men with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) than age-matched peers, and these changes seem to be linked to lower blood levels of the male hormone testosterone, a study reported.
"Studies have suggested that people with IPF have shorter telomeres in leukocytes — white blood cells of the immune system — than do healthy individuals. Genetic mutations that impact telomere length have been identified in some IPF patients, but the mutations found in some do not fully explain the short leucocyte telomere length (LTL) seen in others.
"Considerable evidence suggests that sex hormones regulate an enzyme, called telomerase, that maintains telomere length. Blood levels of a precursor of the male sex hormone testosterone, known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are also significantly lower in male IPF patients.
"A total of 101 male patients, with an average age of about 63, were selected for the study. For controls, 51 healthy subjects matched in age and smoking status were also included.
"Blood samples were collected from all participants. The sex hormones testosterone and DHEA were measured along with two metabolites of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol (E2).
"Male IPF patients had significantly lower testosterone and DHT levels in their blood compared with controls. The levels of DHEA and E2 were generally lower in the IPF group, but this difference was not statistically significant."
"The protective tips of chromosomes, called telomeres, are shorter in men with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) than age-matched peers, and these changes seem to be linked to lower blood levels of the male hormone testosterone, a study reported.
"Studies have suggested that people with IPF have shorter telomeres in leukocytes — white blood cells of the immune system — than do healthy individuals. Genetic mutations that impact telomere length have been identified in some IPF patients, but the mutations found in some do not fully explain the short leucocyte telomere length (LTL) seen in others.
"Considerable evidence suggests that sex hormones regulate an enzyme, called telomerase, that maintains telomere length. Blood levels of a precursor of the male sex hormone testosterone, known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are also significantly lower in male IPF patients.
"A total of 101 male patients, with an average age of about 63, were selected for the study. For controls, 51 healthy subjects matched in age and smoking status were also included.
"Blood samples were collected from all participants. The sex hormones testosterone and DHEA were measured along with two metabolites of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol (E2).
"Male IPF patients had significantly lower testosterone and DHT levels in their blood compared with controls. The levels of DHEA and E2 were generally lower in the IPF group, but this difference was not statistically significant."
