The evaluation of serum levels of testosterone in type 2 diabetic men and its relation with lipid profile

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the predominant form of diabetes worldwide and much is known about its patho-physiology. Yet, newer aspects related to it are being constantly explored. For ages, testosterone has been known to men as the male sex hormone but now it has been shown by certain studies that it might have a role in the development of metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. This study was carried out to determine the relation of testosterone levels with type 2 diabetes mellitus and lipid profile in North East Indian men aged 31 to 73 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case control study comprised of 40 type 2 diabetic men and 40 age matched non diabetic healthy men. Testosterone, SHBG levels and lipid profile were evaluated in both the groups along with anthropometric measurements and were statistically analysed.

RESULTS

Serum total and free testosterone and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group. Prevalence of type 2diabetes was five times higher in men having a total testosterone less than 8nmol/L and 5.57 times higher in those having a free testosterone of less than 0.225nmol/L. Fasting blood glucose showed a strong negative correlation with total and free testosterone. Glycated haemoglobin correlated negatively with SHBG but no such correlation was seen with total or free testosterone. Serum total and LDL cholesterol showed significant negative correlation with total testosterone and SHBG but no significant correlation was found with free testosterone. Serum VLDL, HDL and triglycerides did not show any significant correlation with total or free testosterone and SHBG levels.

CONCLUSION

Low testosterone might have a role in the development of type 2 DM and to the associated altered lipid profile. This study, though a small one is among the few of its kind in India and it thrives to assist other studies related to the matter.

Serum hsCRP: A Novel Marker for Prediction of Cerebrovascular Accidents (Stroke)

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Strokes are caused by disruption of the blood supply to the brain. This may result from either blockage or rupture of a blood vessel. Yearly 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. India ranks second worldwide in terms of deaths from stroke. The incidence of stroke increases with age affecting the economically productive middle aged population. Hypertension and male sex are other risk factors for stroke. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein whose concentration rises in blood following inflammation. Formerly, assays for CRP detected its rise only after significant inflammation. However, recently developed high sensitivity assays (hsCRP) enable the measurement of CRP in individuals who are apparently healthy. Several studies indicate that hsCRP is elevated in individuals who are at risk of developing Coronary Artery Disease or Cerebrovascular events, the elevation may be found years before the first detection of vascular problems. In the absence of other biochemical markers, the present study aimed to evaluate the predictive and diagnostic role of hsCRP in stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study consisted of 50 patients of acute stroke admitted in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. The control population consisted of two groups - 50 age and sex matched controls with hypertension (Hypertensive control group) and 50 age and sex matched controls with no obvious disease constituted the Normal control group. hsCRP levels were measured in all the groups and compared statistically.

CONCLUSION

hsCRP is an acute phase reactant whose concentration rises in stroke as well as in those at risk. The rise may be identified even before the appearance of risk factors. Hence, hsCRP may be useful as a predictive and diagnostic marker in stroke.