Abstract
BackgroundThe testis represents one place where the progenitor of vitamin D is converted into its active form. Loss of one testis was suggested to result in reduced vitamin D serum levels. Vitamin D deficiency would represent a significant health problem in the long-term course of patients with testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) since most of them survive. The purpose of this study was to look to the serum 25(OH)-Vitamin D (25OHD) levels in patients with GCTs before and after orchiectomy. A total of 177 GCT patients underwent measurements of serum 25OHD levels, thereof 83 with preoperative measurements and 94 with measurements at six particular time-points from immediate postoperatively to >24 months. Longitudinal assessments of 25OHD serum levels were performed in individual patients with repeated measurements. A second analysis involved patient cohorts with measurements at six postoperative time-points. Serum levels of patients were also compared with 2 control groups, one consisting of 84 patients with non-neoplastic testicular diseases and another with 237 patients with non-neoplastic urologic diseases. We also looked to associations of 25OHD levels with levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), age, histology of GCT and season. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to compare groups and to analyze changes over time.ResultsNormal serum levels of 25OHD were found in 21.7%, 23.1%, 20.2%, 21.9% in GCT patients preoperatively, after >2 years, in control group 1 and control group 2, respectively. Levels were significantly higher in spring and summer, but no association was found with other parameters. We found a significant transient decrease of 25OHD levels with a nadir at 6-12 months after orchiectomy and a recovery thereafter.ConclusionContrasting with previous studies we found no permanent reduction of serum 25OHD levels after orchiectomy but transient postoperative drop of 25OHD levels. There were no associations of 25OHD levels with age, and levels of testosterone or FSH. Our results may point to a particular role of the testis in vitamin D metabolism and may thus enhance the understanding of the diverse physiological roles of the testis.
Highlights
Testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent one of the most frequent malignancies in men aged younger than 50 years [1]
17.38 median median 25(OH)-Vitamin D (25OHD) serum levels, mean: mean 25OHD serum level values, Q1 first quartile, Q3 third quartile, SD standard deviation cohort 2 denotes control group consisting of patients with non-neoplastic scrotal diseases; cohort 3 denotes control group 2 consisting of male urologic patients with non-testicular and non-neoplastic diseases P = 0.1797 Kruskal Wallis Test for over-all comparison of GCT main group with the two other cohorts
General results A total of 501 men had measurements of 25OHD serum levels, thereof 177 patients with GCT, 87 patients with other testicular diseases and 237 patients with nontesticular, non-neoplastic diseases
Summary
Testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent one of the most frequent malignancies in men aged younger than 50 years [1]. The first hydroxylation step takes place in the liver and is mediated by CYP2R1, while the second hydroxylation is performed in the kidney under guidance of CYP27B1 [7,8,9, 13, 14] Both enzymes CYP2R1 and CYP27B1, are found in large amounts in testicular tissue [15]. Vitamin D deficiency would represent a significant health problem in the long-term course of patients with testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) since most of them survive. The purpose of this study was to look to the serum 25(OH)-Vitamin D (25OHD) levels in patients with GCTs before and after orchiectomy. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to compare groups and to analyze changes over time
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