Context: The degree to which changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) relate to corresponding changes in plasma sex steroids is not known. Objective: We examined whether changes in VAT and SAT areas assessed by computed tomography were associated with changes in sex hormones (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEAS], testosterone, estradiol, estrone, and sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG]) among Diabetes Prevention Program participants. Design: Secondary analysis of a randomized trial. Participants: Overweight and glucose-intolerant men (n=246) and women (n=309). Interventions: Intensive lifestyle change with goals of weight reduction and 150 min/week of moderate intensity exercise or metformin administered 850 mg twice a day or placebo. Main Outcome Measures: Associations between changes in VAT, SAT and sex hormone changes over one year. Results: Among men, reductions in VAT and SAT were both independently associated with significant increases in total testosterone and SHBG in fully-adjusted models. Among women, reductions in VAT and SAT were both independently associated with increases in SHBG and associations with estrone differed by menopausal status. Associations were similar by race/ethnicity and by randomization arm. No significant associations were observed between change in fat depot with change in estradiol or DHEAS. Conclusions: Among overweight adults with impaired glucose intolerance, reductions in either VAT and SAT were associated with increased total testosterone in men and higher SHBG in men and women. Weight loss may affect sex hormone profiles via reductions in visceral and subcutaneous fat.
Reference Type
Journal Article
Periodical Full
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Publication Year
2017
Publication Date
Jun 23
Place of Publication
United States
ISSN/ISBN
1945-7197
Accession Number
PMID: 28651370
Document Object Index
10.1210/jc.2017-00967 [doi]
PMID
28651370
PMCID
PMC5587076