Effect of Androgens on Atherosclerotic Risk in Hypogonadism
Effect of Androgens on Atherosclerotic Risk in Hypogonadism
The baseline characteristics of the IHH patients and controls are presented in Table 1. As shown, their ages, BMIs and anterior pituitary hormones, except for FSH, LH and TT, were similar.
The results of the measurements of the groups' atherosclerotic risk markers are summarized in Table 2. Carotid IMT was higher and FMD% was lower in IHH patients than healthy controls (P < 0·001, P = 0·002, respectively) No differences were detected with respect to other atherosclerotic risk markers between the two groups (homocysteine, hsCRP, LDL-C, HDL-C) (Table 2, Fig. 3).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 3.
Box plot of the CIMT (cm) levels across different time periods. The ranges of the variables represent the interquartile ranges, and the line shows the median value. The grey column represents the control subjects.
There was a negative correlation between TT and carotid IMT (r = −0·556, P < 0·001).
In the patients with IHH placed on ART, the TT level increased from 5·2 nmol/l (3·47–6·42) to 15·7 nmol/l (11·3–18) after 3 months and to 15·6 nmol/l (11·7–20·8) after 6 months (P < 0·001, for all). The improved TT level was not associated with any change in the BMI (Table 3).
The effects of ART on the atherosclerotic risk markers are shown in Table 3. Apart from carotid IMT, FMD% and HDL-C, other atherosclerotic risk markers (homocysteine, hsCRP and LDL-C) did not change significantly after ART. After 3 months, the carotid IMT was decreased and the FMD% was increased in a few patients with improved TT levels. The improvements remained at 6-month follow-up visit in these patients. But, carotid IMT and FMD were worse in most patients with improved TT levels at the 3rd month visit. After 6 months, carotid IMT was decreased and FMD% was increased in all patients with IHH. Whereas changes of carotid IMT and FMD% were not statistically significant at 3rd month, they were significant at 6th month (P = 0·002 and 0·026, respectively, Fig. 4). Finally, HDL-C levels decreased after 3 months of ART (P = 0·028).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 4.
Box plot of the FMD% across different time periods. The ranges of the variables represent the interquartile ranges, and the line shows the median value. The grey column represents the control subjects.
Results
Baseline Measurements
The baseline characteristics of the IHH patients and controls are presented in Table 1. As shown, their ages, BMIs and anterior pituitary hormones, except for FSH, LH and TT, were similar.
The results of the measurements of the groups' atherosclerotic risk markers are summarized in Table 2. Carotid IMT was higher and FMD% was lower in IHH patients than healthy controls (P < 0·001, P = 0·002, respectively) No differences were detected with respect to other atherosclerotic risk markers between the two groups (homocysteine, hsCRP, LDL-C, HDL-C) (Table 2, Fig. 3).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 3.
Box plot of the CIMT (cm) levels across different time periods. The ranges of the variables represent the interquartile ranges, and the line shows the median value. The grey column represents the control subjects.
There was a negative correlation between TT and carotid IMT (r = −0·556, P < 0·001).
Effect of Androgen Replacement Therapy
In the patients with IHH placed on ART, the TT level increased from 5·2 nmol/l (3·47–6·42) to 15·7 nmol/l (11·3–18) after 3 months and to 15·6 nmol/l (11·7–20·8) after 6 months (P < 0·001, for all). The improved TT level was not associated with any change in the BMI (Table 3).
The effects of ART on the atherosclerotic risk markers are shown in Table 3. Apart from carotid IMT, FMD% and HDL-C, other atherosclerotic risk markers (homocysteine, hsCRP and LDL-C) did not change significantly after ART. After 3 months, the carotid IMT was decreased and the FMD% was increased in a few patients with improved TT levels. The improvements remained at 6-month follow-up visit in these patients. But, carotid IMT and FMD were worse in most patients with improved TT levels at the 3rd month visit. After 6 months, carotid IMT was decreased and FMD% was increased in all patients with IHH. Whereas changes of carotid IMT and FMD% were not statistically significant at 3rd month, they were significant at 6th month (P = 0·002 and 0·026, respectively, Fig. 4). Finally, HDL-C levels decreased after 3 months of ART (P = 0·028).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 4.
Box plot of the FMD% across different time periods. The ranges of the variables represent the interquartile ranges, and the line shows the median value. The grey column represents the control subjects.