Free testosterone plasma levels are negatively associated with the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in overweight and obese glucose-tolerant young adult men

doi:doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802292

International Journal of Obesity homepage

International Journal of Obesity (2003) 27, 803–807. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802292

Free testosterone plasma levels are negatively associated with the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in overweight and obese glucose-tolerant young adult men

G De Pergola¹, N Pannacciulli¹, M Ciccone², M Tartagni³, P Rizzon² and R Giorgino¹

¹Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
²Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Clinical Methodology and Medical-Surgical Technologies, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
³Istituto di Clinica Ginecologica I; University of Bari, Bari, Italy

Correspondence: Prof G De Pergola, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy. E-mail: g.depergola@endo.uniba.it

Received 26 September 2002; Revised 2 January 2003; Accepted 26 January 2003.

Top

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between free testosterone (FT) levels and the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (IMT-CCA) in overweight and obese glucose-tolerant (NGT) young adult men.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of FT and IMT-CCA in obese men.

SUBJECTS: A total of 127 overweight and obese NGT male individuals, aged 18–45 y.

MEASUREMENTS: FT plasma levels; IMT-CCA, as measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound imaging; central fat accumulation, as evaluated by waist circumference; body composition, as measured by bioimpedance analysis; insulin resistance, as calculated by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA_IR); systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, and lipids.

RESULTS: IMT-CCA was positively correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), waist circumference, and fasting glucose concentrations, and inversely associated with FT levels. After multivariate analysis, IMT-CCA maintained an independent association with BMI, FM, and FT levels. This study indicates that IMT-CCA is negatively associated with FT levels, independent of age, total body fat, central fat accumulation, and fasting glucose concentrations in overweight and obese NGT patients.

CONCLUSION: Hypotestosteronemia may accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and increase the risk for CHD in obese men.