RELATIONSHIP OF SEX-HORMONES TO LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS IN NONDIABETIC MEN

Although many studies show that increased androgenicity is associated with increased triglyceride (TG) and decreased high density lipoprotei n cholesterol in both pre- and postmenopausal women, relatively few da ta are available on the association of sex hormones to lipids and lipo proteins in men. We examined the association of sex hormone-binding gl obulin (SHBG), total and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sul fate (DHEA-SO4), and estradiol with lipids and lipoproteins in 178 non diabetic men from the San Antonio Heart Study, a population-based stud y of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The TG concentration was sig nificantly inversely related to SHBG (r = -0.22), free testosterone (r = -0.15), total testosterone (r = -0.22), and DHEA-SO4 (r = -0.16). H igh density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly positively correlated to SHBG (r = 0.21), free testosterone (r = 0.15), total te stosterone (I = 0.17), and DHEA-SO4 (r = 0.16). Total testosterone was significantly related to total cholesterol (r = -0.17) and low densit y lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.15). After adjustment for age, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, and glucose and insulin concentrations , TG concentrations remained significantly related to SHBG (r = -0.20) , free testosterone (r = -0.15), and DHEA-SO4 (r = -0.18), and HDL cho lesterol remained significantly associated with SHBG (r = 0.17), free testosterone (r = 0.15), total testosterone (r = 0.14), and DHEA-SO4 ( r = 0.16). In conclusion, we observed a less atherogenic lipid and lip oprotein profile with increased testosterone concentrations. This was not explained by differences in glucose or insulin concentrations. How ever, sex hormones explained only a small percentage of the variation in total TG and HDL cholesterol concentrations. These findings are in striking contrast to data from women, in whom increased androgenicity is strongly associated with increased TG and decreased HDL cholesterol levels.