Testosterone Plasma Concentration is Associated with Insulin Resistance in Male Hypertensive Patients

Background: Low testosteronelevels are a common finding among men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and are inversely related to insulin resistance. Whether this relationship holds true in patients with hypertension, but normal glucose tolerance or prediabetes, is unclear. Methods: We recruited 87 male outpatients with essential arterial hypertension, aged 35–70 years. Anthropometric data were collected, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test(OGTT) performed, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score calculated. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, testosterone, Sex Hormone-Binding-Globulinand free-testosteronewere measured. The concentrations of sex hormones were compared between normoglucotolerant, prediabeticand diabetic patients. Non-parametric tests were applied as appropriate to verify differences among groups, while multiple linear regression was used to predict the variability of testosteroneand free-testosterone. Results: Total serum testosteroneconcentration was significantly lower in T2DM in comparison to normoglucotolerant subjects (p Conclusions: In males with hypertension, the link between insulin sensitivity and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axisis maintained along the entire spectrum of glucose tolerance.