title: Testosterone is associated with age-related changes in bone health status, muscle strength and body composition in men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Variations in testosterone levels are associated with several outcomes of aging. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between age-related decline of testosterone levels and changes in bone health status, handgrip strength, body fat percentage and fat-free mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 335 Malaysian Chinese and Malay men aged 40 years and above were recruited for this study. Their body compositions, calcaneal speed of sound and handgrip strength were measured and their blood was collected. Linear regression analysis was done to examine the relationship among age, testosterone levels and outcomes of aging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated significant changes in all testosterone measurements, sex hormone binding globulin level, calcaneal speed of sound, handgrip strength, body fat percentage and fat-free mass with age (p < 0.05). Age-dependent decline in bioavailable and free testosterone levels were significantly associated with reduction in calcaneal speed of sound, fat-free mass and handgrip strength (p < 0.05). Age-dependent decline in the total testosterone level was significantly associated with an increase in body fat percentage among the elderly men (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Testosterone levels are associated with changes in outcome of aging such as bone health status, muscle strength and body composition, and the relationships are age-dependent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kok-Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Ima-Nirwana
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Soelaiman
authors.forename: Isa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Naina Mohamed
authors.forename: Suzana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahar
authors.forename: Nur Islami Mohd Fahmi
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Elvy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suhana Mohd Ramli
authors.forename: Fairus
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Amilia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aminuddin
authors.forename: Wan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zurinah Wan Ngah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone