Relationship between endogenous sex hormone levels, lipoproteins and coronary atherosclerosis in men undergoing coronary angiography

This study was carried out in order to investigate the relationship between endogenous sex steroid hormones and coronary artery disease (CAD). Three hundred and thirty-seven men undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. Total testosterone, estradiol, free testosterone levels in men with CAD (n = 213) were compared to those of men without CAD (n = 124). No significant differences were found in the serum concentrations of estradiol, total and free testosterone and serum lipid profile between the two groups. Total and free testosterone were negatively (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) and estradiol was positively (p < 0.05) correlated with age in both groups. Total cholesterol and low-density-lipoprotein levels were positively correlated with the level of free testosterone (r = 0.221, p < 0.01; r = 0.173, p < 0.05, respectively), and high-density-lipoprotein levels were negatively correlated with total testosterone in patients with CAD (r = -0.166, p < 0.05). The results of this study do not support the role of sex steroid hormones in CAD. However, the relationship between sex steroids and serum lipids needs further clarification. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.