Association between polymorphism of CYP17 gene and serum hormone concentrations in aged men

Objective: To investigate the association between polymorphism of CYP17 gene and serum hormone concentrations in aged men. Methods: Eighty-three healthy men at the average age of 66.7 were divided into a 66.7 group (n=36) and a 66.7 group (n=47), and the polymorphism of CYP17 gene in the 5′ promoter region was investigated by PCR using DNA from the men's peripheral blood lymphocytes. A new recognition site was created for the restriction enzyme MspA1Ⅰ by transition (T→C) in the risk allele (A2). Three genotypes A1/A1, A1/A2, A2/A2 were established, serum sex-hormone levels measured, and mean hormone concentration evaluated in each genotype and age group. Results: No evidence was found that the testosterone(T) level,estrogen(E 2) level and T/E 2 ratio were associated with the genotype of CYP17 gene. There was no significant difference in T and E 2 levels between the two groups, but there was a significant increase in the T/E2 ratio (P 0.05). Conclusion: A2 allele does not increase sex hormone levels in aged men, but the T/E 2 ratio was higher in the 66.7 group than in the 66.7 group. This may be closely associated with the mechanism of benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer in aged men.