Men with coronary artery disease have lower levels of androgens than men with normal coronary angiograms

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Androgen Biology

Background:

• High androgen levels are often presumed to increase men's risk for coronary artery disease (CAD).
• However, androgens naturally possess anti-atherosclerotic properties.
• This study investigates the relationship between androgen levels and CAD in men.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if androgen levels differ between men with and without established coronary artery disease.
• To challenge the conventional understanding of androgens' role in male cardiovascular risk.

Main Methods:

• Ninety male subjects were recruited: 60 with diagnosed CAD and 30 without.
• Fasting blood samples were analyzed for free, total, and bioavailable testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and estradiol.
• Calculated free androgen index and measured lipid profiles.

Main Results:

• Men with CAD exhibited significantly lower levels of free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and free androgen index compared to controls.
• These differences remained statistically significant after adjusting for age and body mass index.
• Specifically, P-values were 0.027 for free testosterone, 0.005 for bioavailable testosterone, and 0.005 for free androgen index.

Conclusions:

• Men diagnosed with coronary artery disease possess significantly lower androgen levels than their healthy counterparts.
• This contradicts the prevailing notion that high androgen levels contribute to the increased risk of CAD in men.
• The findings suggest a potentially protective role for androgens against atherosclerosis in men.