Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction

Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases which in women are produced by Skene’s glands. It evaluated the variation of concentrations in KLK3 and immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, IgG and IgE in the menstrual cycle (follicular (FP), ovulatory (OP) and luteal (LF) in young women living in two areas with different environmental impact.

Materials and methods

82 women aged between 22 and 34, normo-menstruating, no smokers, no habitual drinkers, no professionally exposed, no intake of contraceptive pills for at least 2 years, living for at least 5 years in the selected areas, have been enrolled. 49 residing in high environmental impact area (group A) and 33 in low environmental impact area (group B).The technique used to measure in serum KLK3 is an ultra-sensitive enzyme immunoassay.

Results

88.3% of the group A shows a significant positive peak in the OP (P <0.0001: FP = 3.92 + 1.6, OP = 25.63 + 5.4 and LP = 5.1 + 2.1) and 94.3% of group B shows a significant negative peak in the OP (P <0.0001: FP = 4.43 + 2.1, OP = 1.42 +0.9 and LP = 8.95 + 2.9).It emerges: In group A, no relationship is examined. Group B;

• for IgA there is a significant negative peak in OP (P <0.005: FP = 332 + 31.7,

• OP = 320 + 38.3 and L P = 353 + 50.1).

• for IgM there is a significant positive peak in OP (P <0.001: FP = 171 + 8.9, FO = 180 + 12.1 and LP = 186 + 10.8).

• for IgG there is a not significant variation between the various phases (p = NS: FP = 1435 + 136.1 OP = 1435 + 240.5 and LP = 1438 + 176.4).

• for IgE there is a significant negative peak in OP (P <0.0001: FP = 25.86 + 3.9, OP = 21.45 + 4.5 and LP = 25.72 + 4.7). The group B shows variation in the concentrations of immunoglobulins which in the case of IgA and IgE is strictly correlated with the peaks concentrations of KLK3.

Conclusions

For group B, a correct immune regulatory function of KLK3 seems to be maintained given the correlation between KLK3 with IgA and IgE, while this does not happen for group A, where external environmental factors such as pollutants known to be present in the selected area could play an interference effect of molecular communication pathways.