Endogenous Sex Steroid Hormones, Lipid Subfractions, and Ectopic Adiposity in Asian Indians

Abstract

Background: Estradiol, testosterone (T), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels are associated with lipid subfractions in men and women. Our objective was to determine if associations are independent from adipose tissue area among Asian Indians. Methods: We used data from 42 women and 57 Asian Indian men who did not use exogenous steroids or lipidlowering medications. Lipoprotein subfractions including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) were assessed by ion mobility spectrometry. Intra-abdominal adiposity was assessed by computed tomography. Multivariable regression models estimated the association between sex hormones with lipoprotein subfractions before and after adjustment for adiposity. Results: Among women, lower log SHBG levels were associated with smaller log LDL particle size and higher log triglycerides, log VLDL, and log IDL, although these associations were attenuated with adjustment for visceral adiposity in particular. Among women, lower log SHBG levels was significantly associated with lower log medium LDL and log small LDL concentrations even after consideration of visceral and hepatic adiposity and insulin resistance as represented by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Among men, lower log SHBG was also associated with smaller log LDL peak diameter size and higher log triglycerides and log VLDL, even after adjustment for HOMA-IR and adiposity. Relationships between sex steroids and lipid subfractions were not significant among women. Among men, higher total testosterone was associated with higher log HDL and log LDL particle size, and lower log triglycerides and log VLDL, but these associations were partially attenuated with adjustment for adiposity and HOMA-IR. Conclusions: Among Asian Indians, SHBG is associated with more favorable lipid subfraction concentrations, independent of hepatic and visceral fat.

Association between genetically proxied HMGCR inhibition and male reproductive health: A Mendelian randomization study

“…For example, the increase in fat levels in the hips and breasts of women is related to estrogen levels. [51] Our mediation MR analysis indeed confirms that the use of HMGCR inhibitor, as lipid-lowering drugs, can lower testosterone levels in men by affecting fat distribution in certain parts of the body (such as arms and feet), and obesity factors also play an important role in this.…”

The association of the lipidomic profile with features of polycystic ovary syndrome

“…SHBG is inversely related to IR via insulin-reducing hepatic SHBG production in in vitro studies (Plymate et al 1988), and associations of cardiovascular risk factors with SHBG may be reflective of SHBG as a potential surrogate marker of insulin resistance. However, lower SHBG was previously associated with a more atherogenic lipid profile consisting of smaller LDL, lower medium LDL and higher triglycerides, VLDL and IDL assessed using ion mobility spectrometry in n = 42 South Asian Indian women (Kim et al 2015) with these findings persisting after adjustment for visceral adiposity and surrogate markers of IR. In keeping with this, in the general population, SHBG is associated with DM2 independent of surrogate measures of IR (Haffner et al 1993, Kalyani et al 2009, and SHBG, but not testosterone, is associated with the prevalence or incidence of subclinical atherosclerosis (Calderon-Margalit et al 2010) in women independent of factors including age, BMI, insulin or clinical lipid measurements.…”

The Relationship between Fat Mass Percentage and Glucose Metabolism in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Xu et al reported that serum E2 and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) could influence HbA1c levels in non-diabetic populations [ 50 ]. Kim et al showed that E2, testosterone, and SHBG levels are associated with lipid subfractions in adults [ 51 ]. Similar studies have been conducted in children.…”