Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The classical role on calcium homeostasis played by vitamin D is well documented. Lately vitamin D is linked to a variety of chronic diseases related to ageing, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the pathophysiological roles of vitamin D in such cases are unclear.

Aim: To clarify the relation of metabolic syndrome (MS), testosterone levels, and vitamin D status in men.

Patients and methods: 99 male patients of Endocrinology Clinic in University hospital ‘Alexandrovska’ with MS were additionally evaluated for their testosterone level and vitamin D status. Of them 65 had MS and they were divided according to their morning total testosterone (TT) level (cutoff 10.4 nmol/l) into two groups: MS-low testosterone (n=21) and MS-normal testosterone (n=44). The control group consisted of 34 age-matched men without MS and with normal TT. Vitamin D levels were measured using electrochemiluminiscence immunoassay.

Results: MS men were at mean age (±s.d.)=50.4±9.6 years; BMI=33.3±7.7 kg/m²; and TT=13.6±5.4 nmol/l. The control group was at age=51.5±6.4 years (NS); BMI=25.7±2.4 kg/m² (P<0.001); and TT=17.9±5.6 nmol/l (P<0.001). The levels of vitamin D were higher in the control group – 27.9±12.0 ng/ml compared to the MS one – 16.2±9.1 ng/ml (P<0.001). Vitamin D sufficiency was found in 73.5% of the patients in the control group and only in 31% of the men with MS. Nobody in the control group was found to have vitamin D deficiency but 28% of the MS group had it and additionally 41% had insufficient levels of vitamin D. Correlation between vitamin D and TT level was not found.

Conclusion: Vitamin D status is correlated only to the persistance of the MS. The role of vitamin D and testosterone levels and their relation to one another and to the MS has to be clarified in future studies.