Lifestyle factors and serum androgens among 636 middle aged men from seven countries in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the association between lifestyle and dietary factors and serum concentrations of androgens in middle-aged healthy men.

METHODS:

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the association of lifestyle factors with circulating concentrations of androstenedione (A-dione), 3-alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (A-diol-g), testosterone (T), SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), and free testosterone (FT) among 636 men in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.

RESULTS:

Compared with the youngest age group (40-49 years), the oldest (70-79 years) had a higher mean concentration of SHBG (by 44%) and lower mean concentrations of A-diol-g (by 29%) FT (19%). Men in the highest BMI group (> or =29.83 kg/m(2)) had a higher mean A-diol-g concentration (by 38%) and lower mean concentration of T (by 20%) SHBG (29%) compared with the lowest (<24.16 kg/m(2)). Current smokers had higher mean concentrations of T (by 13%), SHBG (14%), and A-dione (15%) compared with never smokers. Physical activity and dietary factors were not associated with androgen concentrations, although men in the highest fifth of alcohol intake had higher mean concentrations of A-dione (by 9%), FT (11%) compared with the lowest.

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that age, body weight, smoking, and alcohol intake are associated with circulating androgen concentrations in men.

• Authors: Reiko Suzuki, Naomi E Allen, Paul N Appleby, Timothy J Key, Laure Dossus, Anne Tjønneland, Nina Føns Johnsen, Kim Overvad, Carlotta Sacerdote, Domenico Palli, Vittorio Krogh, Rosario Tumino, Sabine Rohrmann, Jakob Linseisen, Heiner Boeing, Antonia Trichopoulou, Georgios Makrygiannis, Gesthimani Misirli, H Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Anne M May, María José Tormo Díaz, Maria-José Sánchez, Aurelio Barricarte Gurrea, Laudina Rodríguez Suárez, Genevieve Buckland, Nerea Larrañaga, Sheila Bingham, Kay-Tee Khaw, Sabina Rinaldi, Nadia Slimani, Mazda Jenab, Elio Riboli, Rudolf Kaaks
• Journal: Cancer causes & control : CCC (Cancer Causes Control) Vol. 20 Issue 6 Pg. 811-21 (Aug 2009) ISSN: 1573-7225 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19306067 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Androgens
• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
• Androstane-3,17-diol
• androstane-3,17-diol glucuronide
• Testosterone
• Androstenedione

Topics

• Age Factors
• Alcoholic Beverages (adverse effects)
• Androgens (blood)
• Androstane-3,17-diol (analogs & derivatives, blood)
• Androstenedione (blood)
• Body Weight
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Europe (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Life Style
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multicenter Studies as Topic
• Neoplasms (blood, epidemiology)
• Nutritional Status
• Prospective Studies
• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (metabolism)
• Smoking (adverse effects)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Testosterone (blood, metabolism)