Influence of short-term changes in sex hormones on serum concentrations of cellular adhesion molecules in young healthy women.

Aim: To determine if short-term changes in sex hormones (such as cyclic changes within the menstrual cycle) can influence the serum concentration of soluble cell adhesion molecules (CAMs).

Methods: Sixteen healthy young women with normal cycles participated in this study. Serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and E-selectin were determined in three different phases of the menstrual cycle: a) early follicular (EF) phase, b) ovulatory (O) phase and c) midluteal (ML) phase, by standardized ELISA-based kits. To confirm the exact assessment of menstrual cycle phases, serum levels of estrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH were measured.

Results: There were significant oscillations in serum female sex hormones concentration over the cycle duration, as expected the level of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (PROG) was the lowest in EF phase, the highest E2 appeared in O phase, and both E2 and PROG were present in high concentrations during ML phase. There was a significant positive correlation between E2 and serum soluble ICAM -1 concentrations (p=0,041, correlation coefficient 0,306). However, there was no significant change in other soluble CAMs concentration during the menstrual cycle.

Conclusions: Results of our study suggest that short-term changes in female sex hormone levels could modulate expression of soluble ICAM-1, but not VCAM -1 or E-selectin in extent that would affect a young woman's health.