Can Estradiol and Ghrelin Play a Protective Role in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Incidence in Postmenopausal Women?

Abstract

Objective. The present study aimed to investigate the association between estradiol, noctanoylated, des-octanoylated, total ghrelin, and ghrelin/des-octanoylated ghrelin ratio levels along with pathological parameters and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) odds in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods. A case-control study was carried out on 45 patients with EOC and 33 age-matched postmenopausal women as the control group. Plasma levels of estradiol, noctanoylated, des-octanoylated, and total ghrelin were measured by ELISA method. Results. Estradiol?s plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with EOC than in control women (p <0.001). Although the ratio levels of n-octanoylated, desoctanoylated, total ghrelin, and ghrelin/des-octanoylated ghrelin were not associated with EOC in logistic regression models, estradiol levels were significantly related to the increase in EOC odds (OR: 1.083, 95 CI: 1.037-1.13, p <0.001). However, estradiol levels in the two first quartiles (Q(1), Q(2)) were associated with decreased odds of EOC (OR: 0.011, 95 CI: 0.001-0.118, p <0.001, and OR: 0.030, 95 CI: 0.003-0.284, p < 0.002, respectively). For those patients in the third quartile of plasma desoctanoylated and total ghrelin compared to those in the highest (Q4), the multivariate odds ratios of EOC were respectively 0.192 and 0.25. Conclusion. In conclusion, higher concentrations of des-octanoylated and total ghrelin might be associated with the decreased EOC odds. Furthermore, the findings suggest that high levels of estradiol might be a potential odds factor in EOC, however, lower estradiol levels may have a protective effect on EOC development. (C) 2020 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc.