Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: To assess the androgens profile (total testosterone (TT),free testosterone (fT), SHBG, and DHEA-sulphate), cortisol, aldosterone, insulin, and leptin in patients with obesity (OB), metabolic syndrome (MS) and healthy men (HM).

Subjects and methods: Group 1: 26 men with obesity, age 30±6 years. BMI 27–35 kg/m². Group 2: 34 men with MS, age 31±6 yrs. BMI 30–36 kg/m². Group 3: 20 healthy men, age 28±5 yrs, BMI 20–24 kg/m². All antropometrical parameters such WC,HC, and WC/HC ratio were determined. Additionaly we used MRT. All biochemical variables (glucose, spectrum of lipids) were measured by standard methods. The levels of TT, DHEA-S, SHBG, insulin and leptin were measured in serum the using validated direct immunoassay method. Aldosterone was measured by RIA.

Results: Significant association between antropometric, metabolic and hormonal parameters was found. There was a progressive decline of plasma TT with increasing obesity, particularly in men with MS. There were no differences in cortisol levels between the groups.

Conclusion: Multivariate regression analyses shows that many predictive factors of variability in plasma TT levels are directly or indirectly related to SHBG in patients with MS. If plasma TT levels were included in the classification of diagnostic ATP III criteria, it would improve identification of MS from 79 to 85% among patients with obesity. Changes in aldosterone levels go in parallel with increasing insulin and decreasing testosterone levels. Possible mechanisms of the above associations will be discussed.