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Reduced total testosterone concentrations in young healthy South Asian men are partly explained by increased insulin resistance but not by altered adiposity.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20550541     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Objective  To compare ethnic differences in total, free and bioavailable testosterone amongst young healthy South Asian and Caucasian men. Design and subjects  Cross-sectional study of 134 healthy men (age 20-40 years) of South Asian (n = 67) or Caucasian (n = 67) origin, recruited from hospital staff and students working in Newport, UK. Subjects were excluded if they had a fasting plasma glucose >5·9 mmol/l, central obesity [waist circumference ≥94 cm (Caucasian) or ≥90 cm (South Asian)] or significant other disease. Measurements  Fasting plasma glucose, total testosterone (determined by immunoassay and mass spectrometry), albumin, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin were measured. Free and bioavailable testosterone were calculated using Vermeulen's formula, and insulin resistance was estimated by HOMA-IR. Results  The South Asians were slightly older (P = 0·04), shorter (P < 0·001), lighter (P < 0·001), more insulin resistant (P = 0·006), and had a lower body mass index BMI (P = 0·012), waist circumference (P = 0·043) and SHBG (P = 0·001) than the Caucasians. Total testosterone was significantly lower in South Asians (mass spectrometry: geometric mean 16·3 nmol/l; 95% reference interval 9·3-28·6 nmol/l) compared with Caucasians (mass spectrometry: geometric mean 18·4 nmol/l; 95% reference interval 10·6-31·9 nmol/l; P = 0·015), but calculated free and bioavailable testosterone were not different between groups. Adjusting for HOMA-IR, but not BMI or waist circumference, partly attenuated the differences in total testosterone. Conclusions  Total, but not free, testosterone concentrations are lower in healthy South Asian men than in Caucasians. These differences are apparent at a young age and may be partly attributable to alterations in insulin sensitivity.
Authors:
Mousumi Biswas; David Hampton; Atilla Turkes; Robert G Newcombe; D Aled Rees
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Clinical endocrinology     Volume:  73     ISSN:  1365-2265     ISO Abbreviation:  Clin. Endocrinol. (Oxf)     Publication Date:  2010 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-01-19     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0346653     Medline TA:  Clin Endocrinol (Oxf)     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  457-62     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine Medical Biochemistry, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, University Hospital of Wales Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Medicine, Cardiff University Centre for Endocrine and Diabetes Sciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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