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Cited by 438Hormonal and reproductive studiesAdipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic DiseasesDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins

Sex hormones, inflammation and the metabolic syndrome: a population-based study

Laaksonen, DE, Niskanen, L, Punnonen, K, Nyyssonen, K, Tuomainen, TP, Salonen, R, Rauramaa, R, Salonen, JT·2003·European Journal of Endocrinology
DOI 10.1530/eje.0.1490601
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Mild hypoandrogenism in men is associated with features of the metabolic syndrome, but the association with the metabolic syndrome itself using an accepted definition has not been described. DESIGN: Men with the metabolic syndrome were identified and testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were determined in a population-based cohort of 1896 non-diabetic middle-aged Finnish men. RESULTS: Calculated free testosterone and SHBG were 11% and 18% lower (P<0.001) in men with the metabolic syndrome (n=345, World Health Organisation definition). After categorisation by tertiles and adjusting for age and body mass index, total and free testosterone and SHBG were inversely associated with concentrations of insulin, glucose, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP) and CRP-adjusted ferritin and positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Men with free testosterone levels in the lowest third were 2.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-3.7) times more likely to have the metabolic syndrome in age-adjusted analyses, and 1.7 (95% CI 1.2-2.4) times more likely even after further adjusting for body mass index. Exclusion of men with cardiovascular disease did not alter the association. The inverse association of SHBG with the metabolic syndrome was somewhat stronger. CONCLUSIONS: Low testosterone and SHBG levels were strongly associated not only with components of the metabolic syndrome, but also with the metabolic syndrome itself, independently of body mass index. Furthermore, sex hormones were associated with inflammation and body iron stores. Even in the absence of late-stage consequences such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, subtle derangements in sex hormones are present in the metabolic syndrome, and may contribute to its pathogenesis.

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  • Testosterone levels are linked to a variety of conditions and diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, depression, obesity, stroke and osteoporosis.

    “Several studies have previously reported that testosterone levels are linked to a variety of conditions and diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, depression, obesity, stroke and osteoporosis. 1-7”

    From Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels (2013) · cites this paper as [2]

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Authors
Laaksonen, D., Niskanen, L., Punnonen, K., Nyyssonen, K., Tuomainen, T., Salonen, R., Rauramaa, R., & Salonen, J.
Affiliations
  • Kuopio University Hospital (FI)
  • University of Eastern Finland (FI)
Corresponding author
Salonen, JT
ORCID
Niskanen, L
Venue
European Journal of Endocrinology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2003-12-01
Volume
149
Issue
6
Pages
601-608
ISSN
  • 0804-4643 (ISSN-L)
  • 1479-683X
DOI
10.1530/eje.0.1490601
OpenAlex
W2107034706
Cited by
438
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 37
FWCI
6.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • European Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL-44199, R01HL044199)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
Keywords
metabolic syndrome, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, free testosterone, hypoandrogenism, inflammation, C-reactive protein, ferritin, iron stores, insulin, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, middle-aged men, body mass index, pathogenesis
MeSH terms
Finland, Humans, Inflammation, Male, Middle Aged, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Testosterone, Cohort Studies, Body Mass Index, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Metabolic Syndrome, Serum

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