Relationship between testosterone levels, insulin sensitivity, and mitochondrial function in men.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between serum testosterone levels and insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function in men.


METHODS
A total of 60 men (mean age 60.5 +/- 1.2 years) had a detailed hormonal and metabolic evaluation. Insulin sensitivity was measured using a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring maximal aerobic capacity (V(O2max)) and expression of oxidative phosphorylation genes in skeletal muscle.


RESULTS
A total of 45% of subjects had normal glucose tolerance, 20% had impaired glucose tolerance, and 35% had type 2 diabetes. Testosterone levels were positively correlated with insulin sensitivity (r = 0.4, P < 0.005). Subjects with hypogonadal testosterone levels (n = 10) had a BMI >25 kg/m(2) and a threefold higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome than their eugonadal counterparts (n = 50); this relationship held true after adjusting for age and sex hormone-binding globulin but not BMI. Testosterone levels also correlated with V(O2max) (r = 0.43, P < 0.05) and oxidative phosphorylation gene expression (r = 0.57, P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that low serum testosterone levels are associated with an adverse metabolic profile and suggest a novel unifying mechanism for the previously independent observations that low testosterone levels and impaired mitochondrial function promote insulin resistance in men.
Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Nelly
N
Pitteloud
Vamsi K
VK
Mootha
Andrew A
AA
Dwyer
Megan
M
Hardin
Hang
H
Lee
Karl-Fredrik
KF
Eriksson
Devjit
D
Tripathy
Maria
M
Yialamas
Leif
L
Groop
Dariush
D
Elahi
Frances J
FJ
Hayes
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010313:Partial Pressure; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D010100:Oxygen