Nelson Vergel
Founder, ExcelMale.com
Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2018 Dec;28(12):1304-1310. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2018.08.006. Epub 2018 Aug 31.
Is lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol associated with lower androgen and erectile dysfunction in men?
Chen C1, Zhai H1, Huang G2, Cheng J1, Xia F1, Zhao L1, Chen Y1, Chen Y1, Han B1, Li Q1, Jiang B1, Wang N3, Lu Y4.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Therapeutic possibilities now exist to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to very low levels. However, substantial controversy remains in clinical practice with regard to its safety, and the question of whether low LDL-C levels per se may provoke adverse effects in humans arises. We aimed to explore the association of LDL-C with androgen and erectile dysfunction (ED) in a general population of men.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
A total of 4203 men without hormone replacement therapy were enrolled from 22 sites in East China. Total testosterone (T) and Free T were assessed. Free androgen index (FAI) was calculated. The IIEF-5 questionnaire was used to assess ED. We found that free T and FAI gradually and markedly increased with increasing LDL-C levels. Using linear regression, after adjusting for age, educational level, economic status, smoking status, drinking status, BMI, diabetes, and use of lipid-lowering medication, LDL-C was positively associated with free T (B = 0.175, 95% CI: 0.084, 0.266) and FAI (B = 0.064, 95% CI: 0.016, 0.112). Meanwhile, there was a U-shaped curvilinear relationship between LDL-C and prevalence of ED. In the logistic regression analysis, compared to those with LDL-C among the 10th-90th percentile, the ORs of ED in men in the lowest and highest deciles were 1.938 (95% CI: 1.121, 3.349) and 1.804 (95% CI: 1.117, 2.916), respectively.
CONCLUSION:
Lower LDL-C levels were significantly associated with lower free T and lower FAI in a general population of men. Moreover, both low and high levels of LDL-C might be risk factors for ED.
KEYWORDS:
Erectile dysfunction; Free androgen index; Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; Sex steroids
Is lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol associated with lower androgen and erectile dysfunction in men?
Chen C1, Zhai H1, Huang G2, Cheng J1, Xia F1, Zhao L1, Chen Y1, Chen Y1, Han B1, Li Q1, Jiang B1, Wang N3, Lu Y4.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Therapeutic possibilities now exist to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to very low levels. However, substantial controversy remains in clinical practice with regard to its safety, and the question of whether low LDL-C levels per se may provoke adverse effects in humans arises. We aimed to explore the association of LDL-C with androgen and erectile dysfunction (ED) in a general population of men.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
A total of 4203 men without hormone replacement therapy were enrolled from 22 sites in East China. Total testosterone (T) and Free T were assessed. Free androgen index (FAI) was calculated. The IIEF-5 questionnaire was used to assess ED. We found that free T and FAI gradually and markedly increased with increasing LDL-C levels. Using linear regression, after adjusting for age, educational level, economic status, smoking status, drinking status, BMI, diabetes, and use of lipid-lowering medication, LDL-C was positively associated with free T (B = 0.175, 95% CI: 0.084, 0.266) and FAI (B = 0.064, 95% CI: 0.016, 0.112). Meanwhile, there was a U-shaped curvilinear relationship between LDL-C and prevalence of ED. In the logistic regression analysis, compared to those with LDL-C among the 10th-90th percentile, the ORs of ED in men in the lowest and highest deciles were 1.938 (95% CI: 1.121, 3.349) and 1.804 (95% CI: 1.117, 2.916), respectively.
CONCLUSION:
Lower LDL-C levels were significantly associated with lower free T and lower FAI in a general population of men. Moreover, both low and high levels of LDL-C might be risk factors for ED.
KEYWORDS:
Erectile dysfunction; Free androgen index; Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; Sex steroids
