Testosterone is an independent determinant of bone mineral density in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
Although many reports have elucidated pathophysiological characteristics of abnormal bone metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DT2), determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with DT2 are still controversial.


METHODS
We examined 168 Belarussian men 45-60 years of age. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)), immunoreactive insulin, and C-reactive protein concentrations were assessed. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray densitometry of the lumbar spine (L(1)-L(4)). Total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured, and free testosterone (FT) was calculated.


RESULTS
Using univariate linear regression analysis, BMD of the lumbar spine was significantly correlated with FT (r=0.32, p<0.01) and TT (r=0.36, p<0.01). Using multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors, BMD was significantly correlated with TT (β=0.23, p<0.001) and TC (β=-0.029, p=0.005). Age (β=0.005, p=0.071), body mass index (β=0.005, p=0.053), HbA(1c) (β=-0.002, p=0.72) and duration of diabetes (β=0.001, p=0.62) were not significantly correlated with BMD.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that androgens are independent determinants of BMD in male patients with DT2.
Vasilkova
Olga
O
Department of Public Health, Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus.
Mokhort
Tatiana
T
Sanec
Igor
I
Sharshakova
Tamara
T
Hayashida
Naomi
N
Takamura
Noboru
N
D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone