We investigated in 26 girls with premature pubarche (PP) and 14 age-matched controls (7.3±1.0 x 7.0±2.0 years) the role of adrenal and peripheral androgens in the regulation of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) during childhood. Bone age (BA) and body mass index (BMI) were determined, together with androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate (DHEA and DHEAS), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 3a-androstanediol glucuronide (3a-diolG) and SHBG. Although BA was similar (8.0±1.4 x 8.3±1.4 years), BMI was higher in PP (18.7±3.1 x 16.7±2.0, p=0.03). Plasma levels of DHEAS (0.7±0.4 x 0.3±0.2µg/mL, p<0.001), 3a-diolG (1.1±0.7 x 0.6±0.6ng/mL, p=0.06) and DHT (180±95 x 132±68pg/mL, p=0.09) were greater, whereas SHBG (60±24 x 89±26nmol/L, p=0.001) was lower; and levels of DHEA (4.8±2.6 x 3.3±2.0ng/mL), T (133±149 x 90±59pg/mL) and A (603±330 x 420±318pg/mL) were similar. SHBG was negatively correlated with BMI (r= -0.53, p< 0.001), DHT (r= -0.43, p=0.005) and 3a-diolG (r= -0.46, p=0.02), but in the multiple regression model, SHBG correlated only with BMI and 3a-diolG. These findings suggest that increased levels of SDHEA result from a greater secretion of adrenal androgens, whereas 3a-diolG and DHT may reflect a greater skin utilization of androgens in the PP. Moreover, both body weight and 3a-diolG, but not T and adrenal androgens, could be important regulators of SHBG during childhood.
SHBG; Androgens; Premature Pubarche
