Testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin and the metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
BACKGROUND
Accumulating evidence suggests a sex-dependent role of circulating testosterone in the metabolic syndrome (MetS).


METHODS
We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies (PubMed and EMBASE-1 May 2010) relating MetS to determinants of testosterone status [total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)].


RESULTS
A total of 52 studies were identified, comprising 22 043 men and 7839 women and presenting relative risk (RR) estimates or hormone levels for subjects with and without MetS. Endogenous TT and FT levels were lower in men with MetS [TT mean difference = -2.64 nmol/l, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.95 to -2.32; FT standardized mean difference = -0.26 pmol/l, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.13] and higher in women with MetS (TT mean difference = 0.14 nmol/l, 95% CI 0.07-0.20; FT standardized mean difference = 0.52 pmol/l, 95% CI 0.33-0.71) compared with those without. Similarly, men with higher TT levels had a lower MetS risk (RR estimate = 0.38, 95% CI 0.28-0.50) whereas higher TT levels increased the risk of MetS in women (RR estimate = 1.68, 95% CI 1.15-2.45). In both sexes, higher SHBG levels were associated with a reduced risk (men: RR estimate = 0.29, 95% CI 0.21-0.41; women: RR estimate = 0.30, 95% CI 0.21-0.42).


CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis supports the presence of a sex-dependent association between testosterone and MetS: TT and FT levels are lower in men with MetS, whereas they are higher in women with MetS. There are no indications for a sex-specific association between SHBG and MetS. In both men and women, MetS is associated with lower SHBG levels.
Brand
Judith S
JS
Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van der Tweel
Ingeborg
I
Grobbee
Diederick E
DE
Emmelot-Vonk
Marielle H
MH
van der Schouw
Yvonne T
YT
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone