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Free testosterone plasma levels are negatively associated with the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in overweight and obese glucose-tolerant young adult men

International Journal of Obesity volume 27, pages 803–807 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between free testosterone (FT) levels and the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (IMT-CCA) in overweight and obese glucose-tolerant (NGT) young adult men.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of FT and IMT-CCA in obese men.

SUBJECTS: A total of 127 overweight and obese NGT male individuals, aged 18–45 y.

MEASUREMENTS: FT plasma levels; IMT-CCA, as measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound imaging; central fat accumulation, as evaluated by waist circumference; body composition, as measured by bioimpedance analysis; insulin resistance, as calculated by homeostatic model assessment (HOMAIR); systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, and lipids.

RESULTS: IMT-CCA was positively correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), waist circumference, and fasting glucose concentrations, and inversely associated with FT levels. After multivariate analysis, IMT-CCA maintained an independent association with BMI, FM, and FT levels. This study indicates that IMT-CCA is negatively associated with FT levels, independent of age, total body fat, central fat accumulation, and fasting glucose concentrations in overweight and obese NGT patients.

CONCLUSION: Hypotestosteronemia may accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and increase the risk for CHD in obese men.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

    G De Pergola, N Pannacciulli & R Giorgino

  2. Department of Clinical Methodology and Medical-Surgical Technologies, Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

    M Ciccone & P Rizzon

  3. Istituto di Clinica Ginecologica I,

    M Tartagni

  4. University of Bari, Bari, Italy

    M Tartagni

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  1. G De Pergola
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  6. R Giorgino
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Correspondence to G De Pergola.

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De Pergola, G., Pannacciulli, N., Ciccone, M. et al. Free testosterone plasma levels are negatively associated with the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in overweight and obese glucose-tolerant young adult men. Int J Obes 27, 803–807 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802292

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