Serum levels of stress hormones in Albanian patients with allergic rhinitis

Abstract

BackgroundThe integration of the immune and endocrine systems through a network of signaling molecules—including cytokines and hormones—produces a consequent modulatory effect on immune function. In this study we aimed to comparatively evaluate the serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) and cortisol in patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy control subjects.MethodsMorning fasting blood samples were obtained from 96 participants, including 66 patients with allergic rhinitis (mean age, 28 ± 10.7 years; range, 11‐59 years) and 30 healthy control subjects (mean age, 32.4 ± 11.1 years; range, 14‐57 years). Total immunoglobulin E (IgE), DHEA‐S, and cortisol concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay.ResultsFemale patients with allergic rhinitis exhibited lower DHEA‐S levels than male patients and control subjects (p < 0.001). Although no intergroup differences were observed in the morning:evening cortisol ratio, the DHEA‐S:cortisol ratio was the highest among female patients with allergic rhinitis (1:11). Total IgE levels were significantly higher among patients of both sexes (p < 0.05) than among the control subjects. There was a positive correlation between body mass index and age among all groups of participants (male and female patients: r = 0.6 and 0.7, respectively; male and female controls: r = 0.6 and 0.4, respectively) and a negative correlation between DHEA‐S level and age among females (patients and controls: r = −0.4 and −0.5, respectively) and healthy male subjects (r = −0.7).ConclusionIn this study, female patients with allergic rhinitis exhibited significantly lower DHEA‐S levels than their healthy counterparts and male patients. These results should be confirmed in a larger group of participants.