Abstract
Background
Depression is a common symptom associated with prostate cancer (PC), elevated levels of 16 alpha-hydroxye-strone (16 alpha-OHE1) have been linked to increased risk of PC and estrogen receptor (ER) had been expressed in prostate tissue. This study was carried out to know whether depression augments the production of antibodies against 16 alpha-OHE1-ER in PC patients.
Methods
Forty-six depressed PC (DPC) (out of total 60 PC) patients and 40 control subjects (who have normal circulating prostate-specific antigen [PSA] levels) were checked for the presence of antibodies by ELISA (direct binding and competition) and quantitative precipitin titration.
Results
Antibodies from DPC patients demonstrate high binding to 16 alpha-OHE1-ER in comparison to overall PC patients (p<0.05) and controls (p<0.001). Although, PC sera showed high binding to 16 alpha-OHE1-ER in comparison to ER (p<0.05) or 16 alpha-OHE1 (p<0.001). The relative affinity of IgGs from DPC and PC patients was 1.01x10(-7) and 1.19x10(-7) M, respectively.
Conclusions
Depression triggers high-affinity antibodies against this antigen in PC patients through inflammatory conditions. It also increased the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6) that further enhanced antibodies in PC patients.