Lifestyle factors and serum androgens among 636 middle aged men from seven countries in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between lifestyle and dietary factors and serum concentrations of androgens in middle-aged healthy men.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the association of lifestyle factors with circulating concentrations of androstenedione (A-dione), 3-alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (A-diol-g), testosterone (T), SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), and free testosterone (FT) among 636 men in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.


RESULTS
Compared with the youngest age group (40-49 years), the oldest (70-79 years) had a higher mean concentration of SHBG (by 44%) and lower mean concentrations of A-diol-g (by 29%) FT (19%). Men in the highest BMI group (> or =29.83 kg/m(2)) had a higher mean A-diol-g concentration (by 38%) and lower mean concentration of T (by 20%) SHBG (29%) compared with the lowest (<24.16 kg/m(2)). Current smokers had higher mean concentrations of T (by 13%), SHBG (14%), and A-dione (15%) compared with never smokers. Physical activity and dietary factors were not associated with androgen concentrations, although men in the highest fifth of alcohol intake had higher mean concentrations of A-dione (by 9%), FT (11%) compared with the lowest.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that age, body weight, smoking, and alcohol intake are associated with circulating androgen concentrations in men.
Suzuki
Reiko
R
Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. resuzuki@ncc.go.jp
Allen
Naomi E
NE
Appleby
Paul N
PN
Key
Timothy J
TJ
Dossus
Laure
L
Tjønneland
Anne
A
Føns Johnsen
Nina
N
Overvad
Kim
K
Sacerdote
Carlotta
C
Palli
Domenico
D
Krogh
Vittorio
V
Tumino
Rosario
R
Rohrmann
Sabine
S
Linseisen
Jakob
J
Boeing
Heiner
H
Trichopoulou
Antonia
A
Makrygiannis
Georgios
G
Misirli
Gesthimani
G
Bueno-de-Mesquita
H Bas
HB
May
Anne M
AM
Díaz
María José Tormo
MJ
Sánchez
Maria-José
MJ
Barricarte Gurrea
Aurelio
A
Rodríguez Suárez
Laudina
L
Buckland
Genevieve
G
Larrañaga
Nerea
N
Bingham
Sheila
S
Khaw
Kay-Tee
KT
Rinaldi
Sabina
S
Slimani
Nadia
N
Jenab
Mazda
M
Riboli
Elio
E
Kaaks
Rudolf
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D000728:Androgens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; C028895:androstane-3,17-diol glucuronide; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione