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The effect of testosterone level on metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MS) may reduce circulating testosterone and, at the same time, low testosterone levels may lead to MS. Thus, identifying problems regarding sex hormones and examining their effects on the pathogenesis of MS is important to prevent serious complications of the condition, such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the correlations between MS-related parameters and androgen levels.

Methods

A total of 108 males [median age 48.5 years (min/max = 21/77 years)] were included in the study. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements (body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, thigh circumference, neck circumference, and length of index and ring finger) were performed. Biochemical analysis was assessed. Additionally, total testosterone, free testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin levels were investigated.

Results

Weak negative correlations were observed between testosterone levels and several anthropometric measures/glucose metabolisms (p < 0.05). The highest correlation was between total testosterone levels and body mass index (rho= −0.390, p < 0.001)

Conclusion

According to our results, controlling weight, one of the preventable risk factors, can have a positive effect on testosterone levels and, therefore, on the cardiovascular system through different mechanisms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Clinic, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey

    Sercan Gucenmez

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey

    Pinar Yildiz

  3. Internal Medicine Clinic, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Omer Donderici

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Rustu Serter

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  1. Sercan Gucenmez
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  2. Pinar Yildiz
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  4. Rustu Serter
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Correspondence to Sercan Gucenmez.

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Ethics approval

The study was approved by the Ankara Training and Research Hospital Ethical Committee (number: 0345). All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Gucenmez, S., Yildiz, P., Donderici, O. et al. The effect of testosterone level on metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study. Hormones 23, 163–169 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-023-00507-w

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