Influence of vitamin D levels on the cardiovascular profile of hypogonadal men.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

A large body of evidence suggests a role for vitamin D in conditioning cardiovascular risk. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that vitamin D might also play a role in influencing the metabolic profile of hypogonadal men. In this work, we aimed at evaluating if any relationship exists between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular parameters in male hypogonadism.

METHODS:

Hypogonadal patients attending our andrology unit were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and biochemical parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS:

103 patients were studied (51 non-diabetic and 52 diabetic subjects). Mean age of the whole sample was 65 years (standard error of the mean: 0.62). Significant correlations of age, total testosterone, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcemia, and 25-OH vitamin D with the metabolic profile were found. In logistic regression models including age, total testosterone, PTH, calcemia and 25-OH vitamin D as independent variables, lower levels of 25-OH vitamin D were associated with high values of body mass index (BMI) [odds ratio (OR) 0.910, p 0.019], insulin (OR 0.918, p 0.034), homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index (OR 0.918, p 0.030), total cholesterol (OR 0.819, p < 0.001), triglycerides (OR 0.820, p < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 0.923, p 0.034). In non-diabetic subjects, lower levels of 25-OH vitamin D were associated with high values of BMI, insulin, HOMA, triglycerides, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure. On the other hand, in diabetic subjects, lower levels of 25-OH vitamin D were associated with high values of total cholesterol and triglycerides.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our work shows the influence of vitamin D on cardiovascular profile in male hypogonadism. This effect seems to be more relevant in non-diabetic subjects. If these data were to be confirmed, vitamin D assessment might become mandatory in the clinical evaluation of cardiovascular profile in male hypogonadism.

• Authors: G Tirabassi, M Cutini, G Salvio, G Cerqueni, A Lenzi, G Balercia
• Journal: Journal of endocrinological investigation (J Endocrinol Invest) Vol. 40 Issue 9 Pg. 1007-1014 (Sep 2017) ISSN: 1720-8386 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 28391585 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Triglycerides
• Vitamin D
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Aged
• Blood Pressure (physiology)
• Body Mass Index
• Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Humans
• Hypogonadism (blood, diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Triglycerides (blood)
• Vitamin D (blood)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (blood, diagnosis, epidemiology)