title: Smoking and low serum testosterone associates with high concentration of oxidized LDL.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The interplay between smoking, oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ox-LDL) and gonadal hormones has been scarcely investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate associations in ox-LDL and gonadal hormones in smokers and non-smokers
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n=164) were obtained from a population cohort of Finnish men aged 40-70 years. The subjects answered a detailed questionnaire on their health behaviour, medication, diseases, and different symptoms, and the hormonal and lipid profiles were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Smokers (n=33) had higher levels of ox-LDL (21%) and more free testosterone (12%) (P<0.01 for all) than non-smokers (n=131). The difference between smokers and non-smokers in ox-LDL persisted after controlling for possible confounding factors. When the smokers were divided into two subgroups (n=16 and n=17) according to total testosterone (< or =15 and >15 nmol/L), the ox-LDL in the low-testosterone subgroup was significantly higher (30%) than in the high-testosterone group (P=0.006). Similarly in the corresponding non-smoking subgroups (n=72 and n=59), ox-LDL was significantly higher (11%) in the low-testosterone subgroup than in the high-testosterone subgroup (P=0.012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking men have significantly more ox-LDL than non-smoking men. Furthermore, if smoking is combined with a low serum testosterone, ox-LDL is even higher. This may suggest a higher risk for atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise, Paavo Nurmi Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Meri S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Linna
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahotupa
authors.forename: Kerttu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Irjala
authors.forename: Pasi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pöllänen
authors.forename: Ilpo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Huhtaniemi
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perheentupa
authors.forename: Tommi J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Vasankari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D013739:Testosterone