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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2017; 125(03): 171-175
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-121492
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Testosterone Plasma Concentration is Associated with Insulin Resistance in Male Hypertensive Patients

Gian Piero Carnevale Schianca
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
,
Gian Paolo Fra
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
,
Fabio Brustia
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
,
Mattia Bellan
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
2   Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, via Solaroli 17, Novara
,
Alice Pirovano
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
2   Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, via Solaroli 17, Novara
,
Alessandro Gualerzi
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
2   Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, via Solaroli 17, Novara
,
Michela Gentile
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
2   Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, via Solaroli 17, Novara
,
Antonello Gibbin
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
2   Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, via Solaroli 17, Novara
,
Mirta Menegatti
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
2   Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, via Solaroli 17, Novara
,
Ettore Bartoli
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
2   Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, via Solaroli 17, Novara
,
Mario Pirisi
1   Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara
2   Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, via Solaroli 17, Novara
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 15 July 2016
first decision 15 November 2016

accepted 16 November 2016

Publication Date:
10 January 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Low testosterone levels are a common finding among men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and are inversely related to insulin resistance. Whether this relationship holds true in patients with hypertension, but normal glucose tolerance or prediabetes, is unclear.

Methods: We recruited 87 male outpatients with essential arterial hypertension, aged 35–70 years. Anthropometric data were collected, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) performed, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score calculated. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, testosterone, Sex Hormone-Binding-Globulin and free-testosterone were measured. The concentrations of sex hormones were compared between normoglucotolerant, prediabetic and diabetic patients. Non-parametric tests were applied as appropriate to verify differences among groups, while multiple linear regression was used to predict the variability of testosterone and free-testosterone.

Results: Total serum testosterone concentration was significantly lower in T2DM in comparison to normoglucotolerant subjects (p<0.01) and was inversely related to body mass index (r=− 0.25, p<0.01), waist circumference (r=− 0.27, p<0.01), pre and post-OGTT plasma glucose (r=− 0.4, p<0.0001 and r=− 0.29, p<0.01, respectively), pre and post-OGTT plasma insulin (r=− 0.42, p<0.0001 and r=− 0.42, p<0.0001) and HOMA-IR (r=− 0.46, p<0.0001). Similar associations were observed for free testosterone; HOMA-IR was related to testosterone and free-testosterone even in patients with normal glucose tolerance (r=− 0.47, p<0.01 and r=− 0.34, p<0.05, respectively). At multivariate analysis HOMA-IR was the only variable associated to testosterone (p<0.001) and free-testosterone (p<0.05) plasma concentration.

Conclusions: In males with hypertension, the link between insulin sensitivity and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is maintained along the entire spectrum of glucose tolerance.

Key words

diabetes mellitus - testosterone - oral glucose tolerance test - hypogonadism
 

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