Correlations between serum testosterone and irisin levels in a sample of Egyptian men with metabolic syndrome; (case-control study)

Abstract

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in men is a common problem. Several studies highlight that testosterone deficiency is associated with metabolic disorders that may be explained by “myokines”. Irisin is an adipo-myokine that has beneficial metabolic effects.

Aim

To evaluate serum testosterone in a sample of Egyptian men with MetS diagnosed by NCEP ATP III, and correlate it with serum irisin level.

Methods

A total of 90 men (60 with MetS and 30 healthy age-matched controls) participated in the study. Testosterone level is estimated by an automated system, Irisin level was measured by ELISA.

Results

Circulating irisin was positively correlated with serum testosterone and was significantly lower in patients with MetS.

Conclusion

This study highlights the effect of serum testosterone on irisin formation from skeletal muscle. Recommendations; treatments of MetS may include testosterone supplementation. Further studies are needed to elucidate this association.

Keywords:

• Irisin
• testosterone
• metabolic syndrome

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).