In a recently published study, Casson and colleagues evaluated endogenous serum androgens and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in 29 normal, non-obese, naturally occurring postmenopausal women whose ages ranged from 52 to 70 years [1]. Correlations were then evaluated between serum androgens and SHBG and insulin sensitivity, whole-body fat and lean body mass, visceral/abdominal fat areas per meter and aerobic capacity. Increased serum testosterone levels were related to greater maximal aerobic capacity and reduced adiposity. Higher serum levels of dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, and androstenetriol glucuronidate were correlated with greater insulin sensitivity.
Author(s)
-
David F. Archer
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Citations
-
Casson PR, Toth MJ, Johnson JV, et al. Correlation of serum androgens with anthropometric and metabolic indices in healthy, nonobese postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010;95:4276-82.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20566621 -
Davis SR, Moreau M, Kroll R, et al. Testosterone for low libido in postmenopausal women not taking estrogen. N Engl J Med 2008;359:2005-17.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18987368 -
Shifren JL, Braunstein GD, Simon JA, et al. Transdermal testosterone treatment in women with impaired sexual function after oophorectomy. N Engl J Med 2000;343:682-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10974131 -
Davis SR, Walker KZ, Strauss BJ. Effects of estradiol with and without testosterone on body composition and relationships with lipids in postmenopausal women. Menopause 2000;7:395-401.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11127762 -
Wu FC, von Eckardstein A. Androgens and coronary artery disease. Endocrine Rev 2003;24:183-217.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12700179 -
Davis SR. Testosterone for low libido in postmenopausal women not using systemic oestrogen therapy. Med J Aust 2009;191:134-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19645638 -
Dharia S, Parker CR Jr. Adrenal androgens and aging. Semin Reprod Med 2004;22:361-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15635503 -
Grimley Evans J, Malouf R, Huppert F, van Niekerk JK. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation for cognitive function in healthy elderly people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006;(4):CD006221.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17054283 -
Tchernof A, Labrie F. Dehydroepiandrosterone, obesity and cardiovascular disease risk: a review of human studies. Eur J Endocrinol 2004;151:1-14.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15248817 -
Talaei A, Amini M, Siavash M, Zare M. The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on insulin resistance in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Hormones 2010;9:326-31.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21112864 -
Bell RJ, Davison SL, Papalia MA, McKenzie DP, Davis SR. Endogenous androgen levels and cardiovascular risk profile in women across the adult life span. Menopause 2007;14:630-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17224854
