Journal of epidemiology and community health
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Aug 2014
Genetically predicted 17β-estradiol and systemic inflammation in women: a separate-sample Mendelian randomisation analysis in the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.
Many chronic diseases are characterised by low-grade systemic inflammation. Oestrogens may promote immune response consistent with sex-specific patterns of diseases. In vitro culture and animal experiments suggest oestrogens are anti-inflammatory and might thereby protect against low-grade systemic inflammation. Evidence from epidemiological studies is limited. Using a Mendelian randomisation analysis with a separate-sample instrumental variable (SSIV) estimator, we examined the association of genetically predicted 17β-estradiol with well-established systemic inflammatory markers (total white cell count, granulocyte and lymphocyte count). ⋯ Endogenous genetically predicted 17β-estradiol reduced low-grade systemic inflammatory markers (white blood cell count and granulocyte count), consistent with experimental and ecological evidence of 17β-estradiol promoting immune response. Replication in a larger sample is required.