Relation of serum testosterone levels to high density lipoprotein cholesterol and other characteristics in men.

Abstract

Although levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in males decrease during adolescence and after treatment with testosterone derivatives, several studies have reported that levels of HDL cholesterol are positively associated with endogenous levels of testosterone in men. This association was further examined using data collected during 1985 and 1986 from 3,562 white and 500 black men who ranged in age from 31 to 45 years. Black men had higher mean levels of both HDL cholesterol (8 mg/dl) and total testosterone (33 ng/dl) than white men, and positive associations were observed between testosterone and HDL cholesterol levels (r=0.22, whites; r=0.26, blacks). In addition, levels of testosterone were related positively to alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking and negatively to age, Quetelet index, and use of 0-blockers. We used stratification and regression analyses to determine if any of these characteristics could account for the positive association between levels of HDL cholesterol and total testosterone. Although controlling for most factors had little influence, adjusting for Quetelet index reduced the strength of the association between levels of testosterone and HDL cholesterol by approximately 30%. These findings suggest that the positive association between levels of testosterone and HDL cholesterol may not be causal. Multivariable analyses that control for obesity and other potentially confounding characteristics should be used in studies that assess the relation of testosterone levels to coronary heart disease. (Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis 1991;ll:307-315)

Relationship between Testosterone and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Concentrations with Cardiometabolic Parameters and Macrovascular Disease in Afro-Caribbean Men with Type 2 Diabetes

“…We found that the mean TT concentration was low but similar to that reported in previous studies for men with T2D from different ethnic groups [13][14][15]. However, it has been reported that TT concentrations are higher in black men compared with white men from the CARDIA study, and that the higher TT level could protect black people against cardiovascular disease [16,17]. A recent study of sex steroid concentrations reported a mean testosterone level of 16.82nmol/l in healthy European subjects and a mean testosterone level of 18.27 nmol/l in healthy non-diabetic AC subjects which is higher than the concentrations measured in our AC population with TD2 and confirms the relationship between sex steroid level and T2D [18].…”

Associations of endogenous testosterone and lipid profiles in middle-aged to older Taiwanese men

“…Because of that testosterone levels can explain only a small portion of the variance in lipids and that a greater case number may provide more powerful evidence, only the studies with case number of 300 or more were reviewed. Many studies reported an inverse association of TT and TGs 7,16-20 and a positive association of TT and HDL-C, 7,16,18,19,21 but the confounding effect of SHBG was not adjusted in these studies. SHBG levels are moderately correlated to TT levels and they also correlate with TGs and HDL-C in the same direction as TT does.…”

“…Most studies reported no correlation between them, 6,10,17,21,23,31 and several studies reported an unfavorable association of testosterone with TC, LDL-C and apoprotein B. 6,7,29 According to the evidences that every 1.0 mg dl À1 elevation in HDL-C levels and decrease in LDL-C levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 2-4% 32 and 0.6%, 33 respectively, Endogenous testosterone and lipid profile B-P Jiann et al and the magnitudes of associations of testosterone with HDL-C and LDL-C shown in this study, the unfavorable effect of testosterone on LDL-C for cardiovascular system neutralizes the favorable effect of testosterone on HDL-C.…”

Gonadal dysfunction in systemic diseases

“…There is a linear relationship throughout the physiologic range of testosterone concentrations, such that HDL-C increases by 1.0 mg/dl with every 100 ng/dl increase in total testosterone (71). The mechanisms are not clear but one possibility is that testosterone increases the synthesis of apolipoprotein A-1, the major component of nascent HDL particles.…”