Objective To observe the levels of serum sex hormone in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), in order to determine whether there were involvement of sex glands. Methods The levels of serum E2, PROG, FSH, LH and PRL were measured in 66 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) by electrochemiluminescence, and the results were compared with that of controls. Results The results showed that levels of serum E2, PROG,and FSH in patients with SARS were significantly lower than those of controls. On the other hand, the levels of serum LH and PRL were significantly higher than those of controls. The level of E2 in patients with severe type SARS was significantly lower than that in patients with mild type.The levels of sex hormones returned later than improvement of clinical symptoms. Conclusion The levels of serum sex hormones were lowered in patients with SARS, indicating that the changes in sex hormones might play a role in the disease process of SARS. Recovery of levels of sex hormones was retarded.

Objective To observe the level of serum IFN-2? in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS). Methods The level of serum IFN-2? in 66 patients with SARS were measured by RIA, and healthy subjects served as control. Results The results showed that level of serum IFN-2? in patients with SARS in active period were significantly higher than that in control, and level of serum IFN-2? in severe type of patients with SARS either rose or fell. Conclusions The change of serum IFN-2? level indicated that cellular immunity participated in immunoreaction to SARS virus. The change of IFN-2? level in severe type of patients with SARS reflected the difference of immunoreaction in the patients.

Objective To observe the level change of serum SOD in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Methods The levels of serum SOD in 66 patients with SARS were measured by RIA, and compared with controls. Results The levels of serum SOD in patients with SARS were significantly lower than those in controls, and in severe type of SARS patients were lower than those in the other types. The levels of serum SOD in the recovery stage of SARS patients increased, but still was lower than those in controls. Conclusion Excessive free radicals were produced in patients with SARS, and SOD was depleted. The level change of SOD in patients with SARS may reflect state of disease. Dynamic detection of serum SOD level is helpful for monitoring state of SARS. It may be an important therapeutic measure that excessive free radicals were eliminated from SARS patient body.