Serum sex steroids measured in middle-aged European and African–Caribbean men by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Abstract

Background: Differences in circulating steroid hormone levels have been hypothesized to explain ethnic differences in steroid-related diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of a wide panel of steroid hormones, both androgens and estrogens, in healthy middle-aged African-Caribbean and European men. Design and methods: Serum steroid hormone levels were determined in men participating in a systematic public health study funded by the French National Health Insurance system. Blood was collected in the morning from 304 healthy African-Caribbean and European men aged between 40 and 69 years. Serum steroids were measured by mass spectrometry-gas chromatography, except for DHEAS and sex hormone-binding globulin, which were determined by RIA. Data were analyzed in 10-year age intervals by analysis of covariance, with adjustment for age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and season of sampling. Results: Compared with Europeans, African-Caribbean men presented significantly higher serum levels of measured bioavailable testosterone, 4-androstenedione (4-dione), and estrone (E1) regardless of the age group, of 5-androstenediol (5-diol) in those aged 40-49 and 50-59 years, and of testosterone (TT) and dihydrotestosterone in those aged 40-49 years. In contrast, European men aged 40-69 years showed significantly higher serum levels of DHEA and DHEAS. Conclusions: Significant differences in serum steroid hormone levels were observed in middle-aged African-Caribbean and European men. Whether such differences could contribute to ethnic differences in disease risk in adult men remains to be investigated. Some steroids, such as bioavailable TT, 4-dione, 5-diol, and E1, deserve particular attention.

Relationship between Testosterone and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Concentrations with Cardiometabolic Parameters and Macrovascular Disease in Afro-Caribbean Men with Type 2 Diabetes

“…However, it has been reported that TT concentrations are higher in black men compared with white men from the CARDIA study, and that the higher TT level could protect black people against cardiovascular disease [16,17]. A recent study of sex steroid concentrations reported a mean testosterone level of 16.82nmol/l in healthy European subjects and a mean testosterone level of 18.27 nmol/l in healthy non-diabetic AC subjects which is higher than the concentrations measured in our AC population with TD2 and confirms the relationship between sex steroid level and T2D [18]. However, no longitudinal controlled study has included a longterm analysis of these variables.…”

Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants with Endocrine Activity and Blood Steroid Hormone Levels in Middle-Aged Men

“…As a consequence, the values reported may be considered as the normal range of values for the local male population and for the age range investigated (45–70 years old) [29].…”

“…Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (AD), androstenediol (ADIOL), total testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrone (E1), E2, and estrone sulfate (E1S) were assayed simultaneously by GC-MS, as previously described [29]. Briefly, deuterated steroid internal standards (CDN Isotopes, Inc., Point-Claire, Quebec, Canada) were added to all serum samples, which were then extracted with 1-chlorobutane.…”

“…Free T (fT) concentrations were calculated from T and SHBG concentrations, as previously described [31]. Bioavailable T (BT) concentration was determined as described elsewhere [29], [31]. DHEAS was determined by a radioimmunological method (IM 0729, Beckman Coulter, Marseilles, France).…”

The Importance of Steroid Uptake and Intracrine Action in Endometrial and Ovarian Cancers

“…The levels of DHEA thus regress with advanced age, where the rate of this regression differs among races; e.g., lower decreases in circulating DHEA-S levels have been reported in Japanese women compared to Caucasians (Crawford et al, 2009). In spite of this decline, the plasma concentrations of DHEA and DHEA-S in adult men and women are still 200–3,000-fold higher than those of testosterone, 2,000–20,000-fold higher than those of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5αDHT), and 30,000–800,0000-fold higher than those of estradiol (E2) (Labrie et al, 1998; Audet-Walsh et al, 2011; Giton et al, 2011) (Table 1), with large inter-individual variability seen. Interestingly, increased concentrations of DHEA-S have been reported for menopausal transition, which might be related to the rise of luteinizing hormone (Yasui et al, 2012).…”