Study on the mechanisms of the variation of sexual hormone in young male obesity with acanthosis nigricans / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the variation of sexual hormone and mechanisms of low testosterone in young male obesity with acanthosis nigricans. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed in 125 male obesity patients [ body mass index( BMI)≥28 kg/m2 ] . According to their clinical characteristics, they were divided into two groups including obesity without acanthosis nigricans(OB group, n=62) and obesity with acanthosis nigricans(AN group, n=63). 60 normal weight men were also recruited as a control group. Body fat and body weight were measured. Blood insulin, lipid profile, sex hormones levels, and inflammation factors were measured. Parameters of each group were compared and the correlations between total testosterone level and other index were analyzed. Results All the male obesities have the significant lower total testosterone levels than those of control group(P>0. 05), and those in AN group were lower than those in OB group(P>0. 05). The BMI and body fat in OB group and AN group were both significantly higher than those in control group(P>0. 05). The fasting insulin levels in all obese men were significantly higher than those in control group(P>0. 05), highest in AN group. Triglycerides(TG) in both OB and AN group were higher than those in controls, and not significant between later 2 groups. But high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-C) in the two groups were significantly lower than control, which in AN group were significantly lower than OB group. Total testosterone levels in AN group were negatively correlated with weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance ( HOMA-IR ) , and also negatively correlated with inflammation factors including C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR) , tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) , and uric acid. However, total testosterone levels in AN group were not correlated with lipid metabolism index. Conclusion Young male obesity with acanthosis are associated with secondary hypogonadism. Hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and inflammatory factors are risk factors for the occurrence of this secondary male hypogonadism.