The Relationship Between Androgens and Arterial Stiffness in Older Men

• Published in: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) Vol. 51; no. 11; pp. 1627 - 1632
• Main Authors: Dockery, Frances, Bulpitt, Christopher J., Donaldson, Mandy, Fernandez, Sarojani, Rajkumar, Chakravarthi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Inc 01.11.2003; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Aged; Algorithms; Androgens; Androgens - blood; arterial; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Pressure - physiology; Blood Pressure Determination; Cardiology. Vascular system; cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Compliance; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate - blood; Elderly men; Geriatrics; Humans; Hypertension - physiopathology; Linear Models; Male; Medical sciences; Men; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Older people; Retrospective Studies; Risk factors; Stroke Volume - physiology; Testosterone - blood; Vascular Resistance - physiology; Human; Androgen; Etiopathogenesis; Sex hormone binding protein; Cardiovascular disease; Artery; Arterial disease; Vascular disease; Testosterone; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Cross sectional study; Stiffness; Sex steroid hormone; Elderly
• ISSN: 0002-8614; 1532-5415
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2003.51515.x

Objectives: To assess the relationship between endogenous androgen levels and arterial stiffness in older men. Design: A retrospective, cross‐sectional study. Setting: A London hospital‐based, clinical research unit for the elderly. Participants: Fifty‐five men (mean age±standard deviation=71.1±8.0). Intervention: Sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured in all subjects who had a stored serum sample drawn the same day as arterial stiffness measures were performed. Free testosterone index (FTI) was calculated ((total testosterone/SHBG)×100 (%)). The measures of arterial stiffness used were pulse wave velocity (PWV) using the Complior system and systemic arterial compliance (SAC) using the area method. Measurements: Relationship between arterial stiffness and serum androgens. Results: FTI showed a strong positive relationship with SAC (r=0.507, P<.001) and, correspondingly, an inverse relationship with carotid‐femoral (C‐F) and carotid‐radial (C‐R) PWV (r=–0.427 and –0.402, respectively, P≤.002). With multiple regression, including age, blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, and waist/hip ratio, FTI remained a significant determinant of SAC and C‐R PWV but not C‐F PWV. In the subgroup of men without cardiovascular disease or vasoactive medication use (n=37), all three relationships remained significant. DHEAS was inversely related to C‐F PWV only (r=–0.304, P=.041). Conclusion: The known association between lower androgenicity and increased cardiovascular risk in men might be explained by altered vascular stiffness.