Description
Abstract
Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein that is involved in the transport of sex
hormones in blood. Regulation of SHG is complex and involves many factors through direct or indirect mechanisms. These factors include oestrogens, thyroid hormones, androgens, obesity, insulin and monosaccharides. There is evidence that an alteration in lipogenesis and levels of HNF4-α are involved in the indirect regulation of SHBG.
In addition to the use of SHBG measurement in the interpretation of serum sex hormone concentrations, recent studies have proposed that measurement of serum SHBG concentration may be useful as a biomarker for insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk, prediction of type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and severity of osteoporosis. A new emerging paradigm entails screening of the SHBG gene for specific polymorphisms.
