BEHAVIORAL-CORRELATES OF PLASMA SEX-HORMONES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH PLASMA-LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS IN JAPANESE MEN

In contrast to the hypothesis that endogenous testosterone decreases p lasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, many, but not all, studies have reported a positive correlation between plasma tota l testosterone and HDL cholesterol. We examined behavioral correlates of plasma testosterone and estradiol and the relationships between the se sex hormones and plasma lipoproteins, in middle-aged Japanese men. Plasma, lipids, including HDL subfractions, total and free testosteron e, and total estradiol were determined with 313 men aged 50-54 years w ho received a preretirement health examination al the Self-Defence For ces Fukuoka Hospital from January to June in 1992. Body mass index and waist-hip ratio were also measured. Smoking habit, alcohol use, and p hysical activity were ascertained by a self-administered questionnaire . Obesity, especially waist-hip ratio, was a strong correlate of both total and free testosterone, but not of estradiol. Smoking was associa ted with elevated levels of testosterone without a dose-effect relatio n. Neither alcohol use nor physical activity was associated with total or free testosterone, but plasma estradiol levels were higher among c urrent alcohol drinkers. HDL and HDL2 cholesterol were unrelated to ei ther total or free testosterone in the univariate analysis, but negati vely associated with free, not total, testosterone after adjustment fo r obesity. HDL and HDL2 cholesterol also were positively associated wi th estradiol regardless of adjustment for obesity and other covariates . These findings add to evidence for a hypothesis that high levels of endogenous testosterone and low estradiol levels may cause a decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol, thereby being linked with atherosclerosis i n middle aged men. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.