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In a recently published study, Casson and colleagues evaluated endogenous serum androgens and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in 29 normal, non-obese, naturally occurring postmenopausal women whose ages ranged from 52 to 70 years [1]. Correlations were then evaluated between serum androgens and SHBG and insulin sensitivity, whole-body fat and lean body mass, visceral/abdominal fat areas per meter and aerobic capacity. Increased serum testosterone levels were related to greater maximal aerobic capacity and reduced adiposity. Higher serum levels of dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, and androstenetriol glucuronidate were correlated with greater insulin sensitivity.

Author(s)

  • David F. Archer
    Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA

Citations

  1. Casson PR, Toth MJ, Johnson JV, et al. Correlation of serum androgens with anthropometric and metabolic indices in healthy, nonobese postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010;95:4276-82.
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20566621
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  10. Talaei A, Amini M, Siavash M, Zare M. The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on insulin resistance in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Hormones 2010;9:326-31.
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21112864
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    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17224854
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