Effects of ABCB1 3435C>T genotype on serum levels of cortisol and aldosterone in women with normal menstrual cycles

• Published in: Genetics and molecular research Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 397 - 403
• Main Authors: Nakamura, T, Okamura, N, Yagi, M, Omatsu, H, Yamamori, M, Kuwahara, A, Nishiguchi, K, Horinouchi, M, Okumura, K, Sakaeda, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil 01.01.2009
• Subjects: Aldosterone - blood; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 - genetics; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 - physiology; Female; Genotype; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; Menstrual Cycle - blood; Menstrual Cycle - genetics; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1676-5680; 1676-5680
• DOI: 10.4238/vol8-2gmr574

ABCB1, also known as MDR1/P-glycoprotein, can transport cortisol and aldosterone. We examined the effects of ABCB1 polymorphisms on serum levels of cortisol and aldosterone among different phases of the normal menstrual cycle in 51 non-pregnant healthy Japanese female volunteers (22 +/- 1 years old). The menstrual cycle was divided into three phases: premenstrual phase (14 days preceding the onset of menstruation, N = 22; menstrual phase, N = 11, and postmenstrual phase, N = 18). ABCB1 -129T>C, 1236C>T, 2677G>A/T, and 3435C>T genotypes were determined. Serum levels of cortisol, aldosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were measured. The serum levels of estradiol in the pre- and post-menstrual phases and of progesterone in the premenstrual phase were significantly increased when compared to their serum levels in the menstrual phase (P < 0.005). In the postmenstrual phase, the mean serum cortisol level in subjects with the 3435CT and 3435TT genotype was 7.6 +/- 3.4 microg/dL (mean +/- SD, N = 7), which was significantly lower than in women with the 3435CC genotype (9.9 +/- 1.8 microg/dL, N = 11) (P = 0.037). The opposite effect was observed in the serum aldosterone level during the postmenstrual phase (97.2 +/- 23.4 and 141.2 +/- 48.5 pg/mL for 3435CC and 3435CT + 3435TT, respectively; P = 0.041). These findings suggest that ABCB1 3435C>T genotype can influence serum levels of cortisol and aldosterone during the postmenstrual phase of the normal menstrual cycle.