The association of androgenic sex steroids with serum lipid levels in postmenopausal women.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the correlations between androgenic sex steroids and serum lipid levels in postmenopausal women. Methods. The study group included 72 postmenopausal women. Correlation analysis between serum hormone [dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), androstenedione, free testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)] and lipid [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A-1) and apolipoprotein B (apo B)] levels was performed. DHEA-S was found to be positively correlated with HDL-C (r = 0.231, p = 0.049) and negatively correlated with Lp (a) (r = - 0.355, p = 0.002). These correlations were statistically significant even after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.332, p = 0.005 and r = -0.362, p = 0.002, respectively). SHBG was positively correlated with HDL-C (r = 0.352, p = 0.002). There was a significant but weaker correlation between SHBG and HDL-C levels after controlling for age and BMI (r = 0.243, p = 0.041). No other correlations were found between sex hormone and lipid levels. DHEA-S was found to be associated with a less atherogenic lipid profile in postmenopausal women.