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Taken from WWW.pubmed.gov (testosterone studies)
Int J Impot Res. 2006 Aug 31; [Epub ahead of print]
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.
1Centre for Clinical and Basic Research - IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy.
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.
International Journal of Impotence Research advance online publication, 31 August 2006; doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901504.
PMID: 16943795 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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