The effects of testosterone on transgender males on carotid intima-media thickness and serum inflammatory markers compared within patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of testosterone on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and serum inflammatory markers compared within transgender males (TGM-Former called female-to-male) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: The prospective observational study included 30 TGM, 30 patients with PCOS, and 30 healthy women. Groups were compared for CIMT and hematologic inflammatory markers white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV).

Results: The CIMT of the TGM group was 0.48 ± 0.09 mm was significantly higher than PCOS (0.41 ± 0.09 mm, p = .005) and the control group (0.38 ± 0.7 mm, p = .001). The mean NLR, LMR, and MPV values were similar (p > .05). TGM had higher WBC levels compared to control women (p = .029). TGM had significantly lower PLR compared to PCOS and the control group (p = .001). CIMT were related to age (r = .390, p = .04) and body mass index (BMI) (r = .392, p = .03) in TGM.

Conclusion: Increased CIMT in TGM individuals is not associated with inflammation; it seems to be a deleterious effect of exogenous testosterone exposure. Since increased CIMT may be a sign of serious cardiovascular problems developing in the future, it is suggested that it will be beneficial for these individuals should undergo clinical and radiological evaluation at regular intervals.

摘要

目的

比较睾酮对跨性别男性和多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度(CIMT)和血清炎症标志物的影响。

方法

前瞻性观察性研究包括30例TGM、30例PCOS患者和30例健康女性。比较各组CIMT和血液炎症指标白细胞(WBC)、淋巴细胞/单核细胞比值(LMR)、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)、血小板/淋巴细胞比值(PLR)和平均血小板体积(MPV)。

结果

本综述包括几种治疗EAPP的新兴药物疗法。随机对照试验显示, 几种口服促性腺激素释放激素拮抗剂（恶拉戈利、瑞卢戈利、ASP1707、林扎戈利）具有良好的疗效。然而, 对其他激素药物如芳香化酶抑制剂和选择性孕激素受体调节剂的研究并没有取得显著或新的优势。选择性雌激素受体调节剂尚未出现在随机对照试验中, 也未能证明其临床疗效。

结论

TGM个体CIMT升高与炎症无关； 这似乎是外源性睾酮暴露的有害影响。 由于CIMT增加可能是未来严重心血管疾病发展的标志, 因此建议定期进行临床和放射学评估将是有益的。

Keywords:

• Hyperandrogenism
• transgender persons
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• carotid intima-media thickness
• body mass index

关键词:

• 高雄激素血症
• 变性人
• 多囊卵巢综合征
• 颈动脉内中膜厚度
• 体重指数

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Associated Professor Dr. Guven Mengu for proof-reading.

Author contributions

Concept: A.O.B., F.V., O.A, E.E.D., Design: A.O.B., F.V., O.A., Data Collection and/or Processing: A.O.B., M.Ö., F.V., O.A., E.E.D., Analysis and/or Interpretation: A.O.B., F.V., M.Ö., Critical Revision: A.O.B., F.V., O.A., Writing: A.O.B., F.V., O.A.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval

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 (Approval number of the ethics committee: HNEAH-KAEK 2021/KK/10).

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.