Reduced testosterone levels in males with lone atrial fibrillation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Sex hormones play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Testosterone and estradiol have been reported to be down-regulated in subjects with coronary artery disease and heart failure, but has not been studied in atrial fibrillation (AF).

HYPOTHESIS:

Levels of sex hormones may be associated with susceptibility to lone AF in men.

METHODS:

Fifty-eight male subjects who had electrocardiographic evidence of paroxysmal or chronic AF and a structurally normal heart on echocardiography were enrolled. Subjects were excluded if they had been taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), or statins within 3 mo or had a history of coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, significant valvular disease, hyperthyroidism, or hypertension. Fifty-eight controls were recruited from a healthy outpatient population. Serum total testosterone and estradiol levels were determined using a commercially available radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS:

Mean levels of testosterone were significantly lower in subjects with lone AF when compared with controls (476 ng/dl versus 514 ng/dl, p = 0.005). No significant differences were found in the estradiol levels between the 2 groups (31.9 pg/ml versus 32.4 pg/ml, p = 0.789).

CONCLUSION:

Reduced testosterone levels may be associated with susceptibility to lone AF in men.

• Authors: Jiangtao Lai, Dongchen Zhou, Shudong Xia, Yunpeng Shang, Lihong Want, Liangrong Zheng, Jianhua Zhu
• Journal: Clinical cardiology (Clin Cardiol) Vol. 32 Issue 1 Pg. 43-6 (Jan 2009) ISSN: 0160-9289 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19143004 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Testosterone
• Estradiol

Topics

• Atrial Fibrillation (blood)
• Disease Susceptibility (blood)
• Electrocardiography
• Estradiol (blood)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Testosterone (blood)