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The inverse relationship between thoracic aortic intima media thickness and testosterone level
Recep Demirbag1, Remzi Yilmaz, Abdullah Ulucay
1Harran University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Sanliurfa, Turkey. rdemirbag@yahoo.com
Insights
Lower testosterone levels are linked to increased thoracic aortic atherosclerosis. This study found an independent relationship between testosterone and aortic intima media thickness, suggesting a potential role for testosterone in preventing aortic disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Testosterone is known to protect against coronary artery disease.
- Low testosterone levels are a risk factor for ischemic heart disease in men.
- The relationship between testosterone and thoracic aortic atherosclerosis severity was previously unreported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between atherosclerotic thoracic aortic intima media thickness (TAIT) and serum testosterone levels.
- To determine if testosterone levels correlate with the extent of aortic atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Forty-two male patients without prior cardiovascular disease underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for TAIT evaluation.
- Serum testosterone levels were measured, alongside blood chemistry parameters.
- Correlation and linear regression analyses were employed to assess relationships.
Main Results:
- Testosterone levels demonstrated a significant negative correlation with TAIT (r = -0.765, p < 0.001).
- Testosterone levels also correlated with albumin, uric acid, HsCRP, fibrinogen, and white blood cells.
- Multiple linear regression identified testosterone and uric acid as independent predictors of TAIT.
Conclusions:
- A significant independent relationship exists between testosterone levels and thoracic aortic intima media thickness.
- Testosterone may play a protective role in the development of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis.
Background:
It is known that testosterone prevents coronary artery disease, and lower testosterone level is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease in men. However, there is no report showing the relationship between testosterone level and severity of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis.
Aim:
To investigate whether a relationship exists between atherosclerotic thoracic aortic intima media thickness (TAIT) and testosterone level.
Method:
Forty-two male patients (mean age 56 +/- 12 years) without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease referred for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were included. Intima media thickness of aorta was evaluated in each patient by using TEE. Testosterone levels were measured using a commercial kit. Blood chemistry parameters were measured by automated analyzers. The data obtained was evaluated by using correlation analyses and linear regression analysis tests.
Results:
Mean testosterone values were 507 +/- 209 ng/dl. Testosterone levels showed a negative significant correlation with TAIT (r = -765, p < 0.001). In addition, testosterone levels showed positive correlations with albumin (r = 0.690, p = 0.019) and negative correlations with uric acid (r = -0.630, p < 0.001), HsCRP (r = -0.449, p = 0.003), fibrinogen (r = -0.508, p = 0.001), and white blood cells (r = -0.433, p = 0.005). On the other hand, multiple linear regression analysis showed that TAIT was independently associated with testosterone and uric acid (beta = -0.610, p = 0.002 versus beta = 0.409, p = 0.026 respectively).
Conclusion:
This study indicates that there is an independent relationship between testosterone and TAIT.
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