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Alpogan O, Donmez EE, Vural F, Balık AÖ. Effects of Androgens on the Thickness of Retinal Layers in Transgender Men and in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Transgend Health 2023; 8:363-370. [PMID: 37525838 PMCID: PMC10387147 DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2022.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between androgens and the retinal thickness by comparing the macular thickness (MT), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness of female-to-male transgender men (TGM), women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and cisgender women (CW). Methods Thirty-four eyes of 34 TGM, 34 eyes of 34 women with PCOS, and 45 eyes of 45 CW were evaluated by optical coherence tomography. One-way analysis of variance and body mass index (BMI)-adjusted one-way analysis of covariance were conducted to test the differences between groups for statistical evaluation. Results The parafoveal MT in TGM was significantly higher than women with PCOS and CW (p<0.001 and p=0.022, respectively). After adjusting for BMI, the perifoveal MT in TGM was significantly higher than women with PCOS and CW (p=0.041 and p=0.021, respectively). The nasal RNFL thickness in TGM was significantly higher than women with PCOS and CW (p=0.021 and p=0.009, respectively). The means of average and inferior RNFL, fovea, and the mean of all GCC values were higher in the TGM group than women with PCOS and CW, but these results were not statistically significant. Conclusions In this study, there was a significant difference between the TGM group and the CW group for the thickness of the nasal RNFL and parafoveal and perifoveal macular area. Androgens may have the potential to increase retinal thickness in TGM; however, there is a need for validation in larger study groups. Clinical Trial Registration Number: HNEAH-KAEK 2021/4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksan Alpogan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Health Sciences University, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emin Erhan Donmez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fisun Vural
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Özlem Balık
- Department of Radiology, Health Sciences University, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Vergroesen JE, Kaynak A, Aribas E, Kavousi M, van Meurs JBJ, Klaver CCW, Ramdas WD. Higher testosterone is associated with open-angle glaucoma in women: a genetic predisposition? Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:27. [PMID: 37161452 PMCID: PMC10170716 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00512-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testosterone may be a possible modifiable risk factor for open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and intraocular pressure (IOP), but evidence has been scarce and conflicting. In this study we evaluated the association of testosterone and its genetic predisposition with incident (i) OAG, IOP, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCL +). METHODS Participants aged 45-100 years were derived from the prospective, population-based Rotterdam Study. Ophthalmic examinations and serum testosterone measurements (including bioavailable and free testosterone) were performed from 1991 onwards. Follow-up took place every 4-5 years. A total of 187 out of 7898 participants were diagnosed with incident (i) OAG during follow-up. Genotyping was performed in 165 glaucoma cases and 6708 controls. We calculated sex-specific weighted genetic risk scores (GRS) for total and bioavailable testosterone. Associations with iOAG were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Associations with IOP, RNFL, and GCL + were analyzed with multivariable linear regression. Analyses were stratified on sex and adjusted for at least age, body mass index, and follow-up duration. RESULTS In men, testosterone was not associated with iOAG. However, the GRS for higher total testosterone was associated with an increased iOAG risk (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.48 [1.18; 5.22], per unit). In women, higher values of bioavailable testosterone (2.05 [1.00; 4.18] per nmol/L) and free testosterone (1.79 [1.00; 3.20] per ng/dL) were significantly associated with increased risk of iOAG. Moreover, the GRS for higher bioavailable testosterone was associated with an increased iOAG risk (2.48 [1.09; 5.65], per unit). Higher bioavailable and free testosterone were adversely associated with IOP (0.58 [0.05; 1.10] per nmol/L and 0.47 [0.04; 0.90] per ng/dL). Higher total testosterone was inversely associated with peripapillary RNFL and GCL + (Beta [95% CI]: - 3.54 [- 7.02; - 0.06] per nmol/L and - 2.18 [- 4.11; - 0.25] per nmol/L, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In women, higher testosterone levels increased the risk of iOAG. Both IOP-dependent and IOP-independent mechanisms may underlie this association. Managing testosterone levels may be particularly relevant for the prevention of neurodegeneration in the eye. Future research should confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle E Vergroesen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adem Kaynak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elif Aribas
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maryam Kavousi
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joyce B J van Meurs
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline C W Klaver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, University of Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wishal D Ramdas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Alpogan O, Donmez EE, Balık AÖ, Vural F, Kaplan G. Effects of testosterone on intraocular pressure, thicknesses of retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell complex, macula and on ocular blood flow in female-to-male transgender persons. Int Ophthalmol 2021; 41:3651-3661. [PMID: 34240322 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01921-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the effects of testosterone on intraocular pressure (IOP), thicknesses of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), macula and on ocular blood flow between female-to-male transgender (FMT) persons who use testosterone and healthy women and healthy men. METHOD The study included 39 eyes of 20 FMT(Group 1), 40 eyes of 20 healthy women (Group 2), and 42 eyes of 21 healthy men (Group 3). In all subjects, RNFL, GCC and, macular thicknesses (MT) were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Ocular blood flow was measured by Color Doppler Ultrasonography in all subjects. RESULTS IOP levels in FMT were significantly higher than men (p = 0.025). Superior (Sup), inferior (Inf) thicknesses of parafovea, and nasal thickness of perifovea in FMT were significantly higher than the Group 2 (p = 0.024, p = 0.037, p = 0.018). Sup thickness of perifovea in FMT was significantly higher than Group 3 (p = 0.011). Inf thickness of perifovea in FMT was significantly higher than Group 2 and 3 (p = 0.038, p = 0.002). Mean thickness of RNFL Inf in FMT was significantly higher than the Group 2 and 3 (p = 0.039, p = 0.032). Avg and Inf thicknesses of GCC in FMT were significantly higher than group 2 (p = 0.02, p = 0.005). In correlation test, systole/diastole ratio(S/D) in ophthalmic artery (OA) (r = 0.504, p = 0.028) and Inf thickness of perifovea (r = 0.485, p = 0.035) were positively correlated with the serum levels of testosterone in FMT. CONCLUSIONS We found that the use of supraphysiologic testosterone dose increased IOP and the thicknesses of macula, RNFL, and GCC in FMT. Serum testosterone level was positively correlated with S/D ratio in the OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksan Alpogan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Tibbiye Cad No 23, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Emin Erhan Donmez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Özlem Balık
- Department of Radiology, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fisun Vural
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gizem Kaplan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Nuzzi R, Scalabrin S, Becco A, Panzica G. Sex Hormones and Optic Nerve Disorders: A Review. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:57. [PMID: 30804741 PMCID: PMC6378504 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This review article presents a comprehensive overview of the literature on sex hormones (estrogens, androgens, progesterone) and optic nerve disorders, with a discussion of the implications for therapy and prevention. Methods: Epidemiological, pre-clinical and clinical studies were reviewed. Results: Analysis of the biological basis for a relationship between eye diseases and sex hormones showed that some types of hormones can exert a protective effect either directly on the retina and optic nerve or indirectly by modulating ocular blood flow. For example, it seems that estrogen exposure has a protective effect against glaucoma, whereas its deficit may lead to early onset of the disease. If further studies confirm the data in the literature, estrogen therapy, because of its antioxidant action, may be effective in the treatment of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, whereas, in the light of current studies, there does not seem to be an influence of estrogen on non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuritis (NAION). Conclusions: Although there is some evidence that in some optic nerve pathologies the sex hormones seem to play an important role there are still too few studies providing evidence for its wider use in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Nuzzi
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Ophtalmic Clinic, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Simona Scalabrin
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Ophtalmic Clinic, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alice Becco
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Ophtalmic Clinic, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Panzica
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri-Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy
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