The inverse relationship between thoracic aortic intima media thickness and testosterone level

Background: It is known that testosterone prevents coronary artery disease, and lower testosterone level is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease in men. However, there is no report showing the relationship between testosterone level and severity of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis. Aim: To investigate whether a relationship exists between atherosclerotic thoracic aortic intima media thickness (TAIT) and testosterone level. Method: Forty-two male patients (mean age 56 +/- 12 years) without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease referred for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were included. Intima media thickness of aorta was evaluated in each patient by using TEE. Testosterone levels were measured using a commercial kit. Blood chemistry parameters were measured by automated analyzers. The data obtained was evaluated by using correlation analyses and linear regression analysis tests. Results: Mean testosterone values were 507 +/- 209 ng/dl. Testosterone levels showed a negative significant correlation with TAIT (r = - 765, p < 0.001). In addition, testosterone levels showed positive correlations with albumin (r = 0.690, p = 0.019) and negative correlations with uric acid (r = - 0.630, p < 0.001), HsCRP (r = - 0.449, p = 0.003), fibrinogen (r = - 0.508, p = 0.001), and white blood cells (r= -0.433, p = 0.005). On the other hand, multiple linear regression analysis showed that TAIT was independently associated with testosterone and uric acid (beta = -0.610, p = 0.002 versus beta = 0.409, p = 0.026 respectively) Conclusion: This study indicates that there is an independent relationship between testosterone and TAIT.