Relationship between endogenous sex hormone levels, lipoproteins and coronary atherosclerosis in men undergoing coronary angiography

This study was carried out in order to investigate the relationship between endogenous sex steroid hormones and coronary artery disease (CAD). Three h undred and thirty-seven men undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled i n the study. Total testosterone, estradiol, free testosterone levels in men with CAD (n = 213) were compared to those of men without CAD (n = 124). No significant differences were found in the serum concentrations of estradio l, total and free testosterone and serum lipid profile between the two grou ps. Total and free testosterone were negatively (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) and estradiol was positively (p < 0.05) correlated with age in both groups, To tal cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were positively correlat ed with the level of free testosterone (r = 0.221, p < 0.01; r = 0.173, p < 0.05, respectively), and high-density-lipoprotein levels were negatively c orrelated with total testosterone in patients with CAD (r = -0.166, p < 0.0 5), The results of this study do not support the role of sex steroid hormon es in CAD. However, the relationship between sex steroids and serum lipids needs further clarification. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.