The inverse relationship between thoracic aortic intima media thickness and testosterone level.

Background: It is known that testosterone prevents coronary artery disease, and lower testosterone level is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease in men. However, there is no report showing the relationship between testosterone level and severity of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis.Aim: To investigate whether a relationship exists between atherosclerotic thoracic aortic intima media thickness (TAIT) and testosterone level.Method: Forty-two male patients (mean age 56 6 12 years) without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease referred for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were included. Intima media thickness of aorta was evaluated in each patient by using TEE. Testosterone levels were measured using a commercial kit. Blood chemistry parameters were measured by automated analyzers. The data obtained was evaluated by using correlation analyses and linear regression analysis tests.Results: Mean testosterone values were 507 6 209 ng/dl. Testosterone levels showed a negative significant corr...