Research Information System
Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal, vol.39, no.3, pp.172-176, 2005 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Objective. Although sex hormones have potential cardioprotective effects, their effects on total antioxidant capacity (TAG) are not very well known. The aim of the study was to evaluate TAG in men who have decreased and normal testosterone levels and in women in menopausal and premenopausal period. Design. Ninety-seven subjects with similar age intervals, men aged <45 years and female aged <50 years, were divided into four groups: 1) 10 men with normal testosterone levels, as control, 2) 36 men with decreased testosterone, 3) 19 women in menopause, surgically induced, and 4) 32 women in premenopausal period. Testosterone and estrogen levels were measured by chemiluminescence assay and TAG were measured by using a more recently developed automated measurement method. Results. The TAG was significantly lower in Group 2 and Group 3 than those of Group 1 and Group 4 (ANOVA, p < 0.001). A strong correlation between TAG, and testosterone and estrogen were found (r = 0.807, p < 0.001; r = 0.685, p < 0.001, testosterone and estrogen respectively). Conclusions. The observed relationship between sex hormones and TAG may have a role in mechanism of their cardioprotective effect. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.