Effect of Puberty Onset on Spontaneous Hepatitis B Virus e Antigen Seroconversion in Men
Journal
Gastroenterology
Journal Volume
138
Journal Issue
3
Pages
942-948
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Male predominance is a remarkable phenomenon in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease. This study elucidated the effects of puberty on spontaneous hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in boys. Methods: One-hundred HBeAg-positive chronic HBV-infected males recruited at younger than 10 years of age who had been followed for >10 years were selected randomly from our long-term followed cohort into this study. Serum testosterone levels, androgen receptor exon-1 CAG repeat number and steroid 5α reductase type II (SRD5A2, valine vs leucine alleles) polymorphism were determined. Serial clinical data, HBV genotype, and spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion age were also analyzed. Results: Seventy-two subjects had spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion during the follow-up period. Subjects with serum testosterone levels ?2.5 ng/mL at 15 years old (earlier-onset puberty, n = 87) had earlier HBeAg seroconversion (median age, 13.2 vs 22.5 years; hazard ratio = 2.95; P = .005), higher peak alanine aminotransferase levels when HBeAg positive (305.7 ± 372.7 vs 154.8 ± 126.0 IU/L; P = .006), and a greater HBV viral load reduction from 10 to 20 years of age (1.6 ± 2.4 vs 0.2 ± 1.4 log10 copies/mL; P = .009) than those with serum testosterone levels <2.5 ng/mL (later-onset puberty, n = 13). Valine allele carrier at the SRD5A2 V89L polymorphism was also associated with earlier spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion (median age, 11.7 vs 18.7 years; hazard ratio = 1.88; P = .028). Conclusion: Earlier-onset puberty and increased SRD5A2 enzyme activity are associated with earlier HBeAg seroconversion, higher serum alanine aminotransferase levels, and a greater HBV viral load decrement in chronic HBV infected males. ? 2010 AGA Institute.
SDGs
Other Subjects
alanine aminotransferase; androgen receptor; hepatitis E antigen; steroid 5alpha reductase 2; adolescent; adulthood; allele; article; child; clinical trial; controlled clinical trial; controlled study; DNA polymorphism; exon; follow up; genotype; hepatitis B; human; major clinical study; male; preschool child; priority journal; puberty; randomized controlled trial; school child; seroconversion; testosterone blood level; virus load
Publisher
W.B. Saunders
Type
journal article