title: Testosterone Plasma Concentration is Associated with Insulin Resistance in Male Hypertensive Patients.
abstract: Background:Low testosterone levels are a common finding among men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and are inversely related to insulin resistance. Whether this relationship holds true in patients with hypertension, but normal glucose tolerance or prediabetes, is unclear.Methods:We recruited 87 male outpatients with essential arterial hypertension, aged 35-70 years. Anthropometric data were collected, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) performed, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score calculated. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, testosterone, Sex Hormone-Binding-Globulin and free-testosterone were measured. The concentrations of sex hormones were compared between normoglucotolerant, prediabetic and diabetic patients. Non-parametric tests were applied as appropriate to verify differences among groups, while multiple linear regression was used to predict the variability of testosterone and free-testosterone.Results:Total serum testosterone concentration was significantly lower in T2DM in comparison to normoglucotolerant subjects (p<0.01) and was inversely related to body mass index (r=- 0.25, p<0.01), waist circumference (r=- 0.27, p<0.01), pre and post-OGTT plasma glucose (r=- 0.4, p<0.0001 and r=- 0.29, p<0.01, respectively), pre and post-OGTT plasma insulin (r=- 0.42, p<0.0001 and r=- 0.42, p<0.0001) and HOMA-IR (r=- 0.46, p<0.0001). Similar associations were observed for free testosterone; HOMA-IR was related to testosterone and free-testosterone even in patients with normal glucose tolerance (r=- 0.47, p<0.01 and r=- 0.34, p<0.05, respectively). At multivariate analysis HOMA-IR was the only variable associated to testosterone (p<0.001) and free-testosterone (p<0.05) plasma concentration.Conclusions:In males with hypertension, the link between insulin sensitivity and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is maintained along the entire spectrum of glucose tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Gian Piero Carnevale
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Schianca
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Fra
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brustia
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Mattia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellan
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pirovano
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gualerzi
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gibbin
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Mirta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menegatti
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bartoli
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, AOU Maggiore della Carità, corso Mazzini 18, Novara.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirisi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone