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A new endocrinological and immunological syndrome in SLE: elevation of human chorionic gonadotropin and of antibodies directed against ovary and endometrium antigens

Departments of Nuclear Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Helga E Moncayo

Departments of Nuclear Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

We have analysed the levels of gonadotropins in male and female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Human chorionic gonadotropin hCG was elevated in 23.8% of patients compared with 12.7% of controls. hCG isolated from the serum of SLE patients was bioactive in vitro. Levels of hCG were significantly correlated with those of its beta-subunit but not with the levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin alphafetoprotein or carcino embryonic antigen. A high percentage of patients presented an organ-specific humoral immune response against ovarian (26.7%) and endometrial (40%) antigens compared with controls (8% and 7.6%, respectively). Endometrial antibodies were significantly correlated to the levels of prolactin. The ovarian tumour marker CA-125 was elevated in 32.5% of patients, including two males. As a whole, these elements delineate a new endocrine and immunological syndrome in SLE in which the elevation of hCG could provide a central physiological explanation for a series of endocrine alterations that characterize this disease.

Key Words: Systemic lupus erythematosus • Human chorionic gonadotropin • Ovarian autoimmunity • Prolactin • Endometrium

Lupus, Vol. 4, No. 1, 39-45 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/096120339500400109


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