The relationship between plasma androgens (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone) and coronary arteriosclerosis in men: The lower the androgens, the higher the coronary score of arteriosclerosis

Abstract

It is known that, in postmenopausal women, estrogen deficiency is associated with disturbances in lipid metabolism and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, while estrogen replacement therapy has beneficial effects on both these parameters. However, the role that androgens play in the development of coronary artery disease in adult men is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not there was a correlation between plasma androgens and angiogrrahically defined coronary arteriosclerosis in men. A total of 201 non-obese men aged 28–60 years (mean, 48.1 years; SE ± 5.7 years) with coronary heart disease (CHD) were included in the study.

Plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), lipids and lipoproteins were determined. Arteriosclerotic lesions in the 201 patients with CHD were assessed by determining the score of coronary arterial narrowing on coronary angiograms. When comparing plasma DHEAS and testosterone levels among coronary arteriosclerosis groups with progressively increasing degrees of arteriosclerotic lesions, a negative correlation was found between both of these hormones and the level of arteriosclerosis. A positive correlation was demonstrated between serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations and the degree of arteriosclerotic lesions. Lower concentrations of DHEAS and testosterone were found in those men with more severe arteriosclerotic lesions.

These results suggest that, in men, androgens may play a preventive role in the development of coronary arteriosclerosis.

Key Words:

• ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
• CORONARY ANGIOGRAMS
• DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE
• TESTOSTERONE
• LIPOPROTEIN(a)