Body mass index does not influence human epididymis protein 4 concentrations in serum (+CA125)

abstract

 Serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), a novel tumour marker of ovarian cancer, has been reported to be influenced by some biological factors as body mass index (BMI). Accordingly, we enrolled 103 women without history or current ovarian disease or other gastrointestinal/gynaecological benign or malignant diseases, no smokers, aged ≤55 years and with serum creatinine concentrations ≤0.96 mg/dL and a BMI ranging from 19 to 57 kg/m2. Enrolled subjects underwent HE4 and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 125 measurements by Roche Diagnostics assays. Multiple regression models were used to estimate the potential influence on HE4 and CA 125 concentrations of BMI, age, serum creatinine, menopausal status, menstrual cycle phase and use of oral contraceptives. Age and creatinine increases induced HE4 increase, whereas the use of oral contraceptives appeared to decrease marker concentrations. BMI, as well as menopausal status and menstrual cycle phase, did not influence HE4 concentrations. None of the tested factors influenced CA 125 concentrations.