[Sex hormones, HDL cholesterol and other lipoproteins in older males]. / Hormony plciowe, HDL cholesterol i inne frakcje lipoproteinowe u starszych mezczyzn.

UNLABELLED: The associations between sex hormones and cardiovascular risk factors in men are controversial. It is well known that testosterone level declines with age and this phenomenon is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in men. Elevated levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol together with low HDL cholesterol are the important risk factors of coronary heart disease. THE AIM OF STUDY was to investigate the relationships between sex hormones and plasma lipids in aging males. MATERIAL: The study group comprised 107 males over 50 years old. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between testosterone (T) and HDL-cholesterol (r=0.251; p<0.01). Estradiol level was inversely correlated with total cholesterol (r=-0.204; p<0.05). Interestingly, the older age of subjects was associated with increased levels of SHBG (r=0.28; p<0.01) and decreased free testosterone index (T/SHBG) (r=-0.423; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These data support relationship between sex hormones and plasma lipids and suggest that a low testosterone concentration in aging males may be important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

[Association of obesity and insulin resistance with serum testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin and estradiol in older males]. / Zwiazek miedzy otyloscia i insulinoopornoscia a stezeniem testosteronu, globuliny wiazacej hormony plciowe i estradiolu u starszych mezczyzn.

UNLABELLED: There is an increased accumulation of fat tissue with subsequent increase of insulin level, insulin resistance and decrease of testosterone level in aging males. AIM OF THE STUDY: Assessment of the relations between obesity, insulin resistance and levels of sex hormones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Indices of obesity (BMI, WHR, waist circumference), insulin level, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and levels of sex hormones (total testosterone, free testosterone, free testosterone index, sex hormone-binding globulin--SHBG, estradiol) were measured in 107 males at the mean age of 60.1 +/- 7 years. RESULTS: Obesity among aging males is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinism. All above factors correlate with decreased serum levels of testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin as well as increased ratio estradiol/testosterone ratio. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a role of decreased levels of testosterone and SHBG in pathogenesis of visceral obesity and metabolic syndrome in older males.