J Korean Soc Endocrinol.  2004 Feb;19(1):48-57.

Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Oxidative Stress in Korean Premenopausal Women

• Choi YJ
• Oh JY
• Hong YS
• Sung YA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin(SHBG), an indirect index of androgenicity, are associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors. The risk factors of the cardiovascular disease are known to be related to oxidative stress. In recent reports, sex hormones were associated with oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS), which is characterized by increased androgenicity and insulin resistance.
METHODS
To investigate the relationship between sex hormones and oxidative stress, we examined the association of malondialdehyde(MDA), total antioxidant status(TAS), oxidized low density lipoprotein cholesterol(ox-LDL), and SHBG in 46 Korean premenopausal women.
RESULTS
1. SHBG and MDA levels were not significantly different among the women with NGT and IGT. But, TAS was significantly lower(p=0.034) in the subjects with IGT than in the subjects with NGT. 2. The SHBG level was significantly lower(p=0.036) in obese women than in non-obese women. 3.The SHBG level was significantly inversely correlated with BMI(r=-0.394, p=0.007), post challenge glucose(r=-0.326, p=0.027), waist size(r=-0.323, p=0.029), waist-to-thigh ratio(WTR) (r=-0.308, p=0.037), fasting insulin level(r=-0.387, p=0.008), visceral fat area(VFA)(r=-0.339, p=0.021), and was significantly positively correlated with SI(r=0.397, p=0.008). 4. The SHBG level was significantly inversely correlated with levels of MDA(r=-0.357, p=0.015) and ox-LDL(r=-0.367, p=0.014). 5. In a multiple linear regression analysis, the SHBG level was a significant and independent factor for both MDA and ox-LDL. For TAS, the fasting insulin level and post challenge glucose were significant and independent factors.
CONCLUSION
Increased androgenicity assessed by the decrease in serum SHBG levels is associated with the increase in MDA and ox-LDL. These results suggest that increased androgenicity in premenopausal women can contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases via increased oxidative stress.

MeSH Terms

Cardiovascular Diseases
Fasting
Female
Glucose
Gonadal Steroid Hormones
Humans
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Intra-Abdominal Fat
Linear Models
Lipoproteins
Oxidative Stress*
Risk Factors
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin*
Glucose
Gonadal Steroid Hormones
Insulin
Lipoproteins
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin