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Low
testosterone levels are associated
with coronary artery disease
Researchers say that low testosterone levels are associated with
coronary artery disease in male patients with angina.
Rosano GM, Sheiban
I, Massaro R, Pagnotta P, Marazzi G, Vitale C, Mercuro
G, Volterrani M, Aversa A, Fini M. Low testosterone
levels are associated with coronary artery disease in
male patients with angina.Int J Impot Res. 2006 Aug 31
From the study abstract
Historically, high androgen levels have been linked with
an increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD.)
However, more recent data suggest that low
androgen levels are associated with adverse
cardiovascular risk factors, including an
atherogenic lipid profile, obesity and insulin
resistance.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the
relationship between plasma sex hormone levels and
presence and degree of CAD in patients undergoing
coronary angiography and in matched controls.
We evaluated 129 consecutive male patients (mean age
58+/-4 years, range 43-72 years) referred for diagnostic
coronary angiography because of symptoms suggestive of
CAD, but without acute coronary syndromes or prior
diagnosis of hypogonadism. Patients were matched with
healthy volunteers. Out of 129 patients, 119 had proven
CAD; in particular, 32 of them had one, 63 had two and
24 had three vessel disease, respectively. Patients had
significantly lower levels of testosterone than controls
(9.8+/-6.5 and 13.5+/-5.4 nmol/l, P<0.01) and higher
levels of gonadotrophin (12.0+/-1.5 vs 6.6+/-1.9 IU/l
and 7.9+/-2.1 vs 4.4+/-1.4, P<0.01 for
follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone,
respectively). Also, both bioavailable testosterone and
plasma oestradiol levels were lower in patients as
compared to controls (0.84+/-0.45 vs 1.19+/-0.74 nmol/l,
P<0.01 and 10.7+/-1.4 vs 13.3+/-3.5 pg/ml, P<0.05).
Hormone levels were compared in cases with one, two or
three vessel disease showing significant differences
associated with increasing severity of coronary disease.
An inverse relationship between the degree of CAD and
plasma testosterone levels was found (r=-0.52, P<0.01).
In conclusion, patients with CAD have lower
testosterone and oestradiol levels than healthy
controls.
These changes are
inversely correlated to the degree of CAD, suggesting
that low plasma testosterone may be involved with the
increased risk of CAD in men. |
