Testosterone. Magazine Luiza

Magazine luiza

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Free but not total testosterone is inversely associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic men

Introduction: Men with type 2 diabetes (DM2) are often characterized by abnormal reduced plasma testosterone levels. There is evidence suggesting an inverse association between serum levels of testosterone and coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to compare endogenous sex hormone levels of men with DM2 with subclinical atherosclerosis (SA).

Hypothesis: Free and total testosterone influence subclinical atherosclerotic burden

Methods: Asymptomatic non-insulin dependent diabetic men (n=45) in cardiovascular disease primary prevention were enrolled in a cross-sectional design. SA was evaluated by carotid ultrasound with assessment of intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaques. Clinical and laboratorial characteristics were correlated with IMT and associated with atherosclerotic plaques. Multivariable multiple regression models were used to assess the relation between free testosterone and IMT and carotid plaques.

Results: Only IMT was correlated to free testosterone, duration of diabetes, age, blood pressure and insulin resistance. As depicted in the Table, IMT was associated with duration of diabetes and inversely with free testosterone, independently of age, blood pressure or insulin resistance. For each decrease in 1 ng/dL of free testosterone and increase in 1 year of diabetes duration there is an increase of 0,041 mm and 0,017 in IMT, respectively.

Conclusion: Our data indicate that free testosterone is a potent independent predictor of atherosclerotic burden irrespectively the age.

Table. Multivariable multiple regression models to assess the relation between free testosterone and IMT

Variables

Model 1

Model 2

Age

0,004 ± 0,003

0,002 ± 0,003

Duration of diabetes

0,017 ± 0,006*

0,014 ± 0,006*

Free testosterone

- 0,041 ± 0,020*

- 0,048 ± 0,020*

Diastolic blood pressure

-

- 0,003 ± 0,003

HOMA-IR

-

- 0,027 ± 0,017

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