Urinary free cortisol and androgens in the population—Hormone interactions and the relationship with body composition and bone status

• Objective Abnormal secretion of thyroid hormones, growth hormone, cortisol and androgens influences body composition. We hypothesised that higher cortisol excretion, in combination with higher androgen and IGF-I concentrations, had a synergistic, favourable effect on body mass and bone. Design, patients and methods This was a cross-sectional study on a population sample of 290 women and 93men. The mean age was 65.4±7.2yearsinwomen and 59.7±10.0yearsinmen. Body composition was assessed with bioimpedance, and skeletal health with calcaneal quantitative ultrasound and fracture rate. The influence of urinary free cortisol (UFC), serum DHEAs (women), testosterone (men), free T4andIGF-I on the outcome was studied with regression analyses adjusted for age and body mass index. Results In women, higher concentrations of UFC, DHEAs, IGF-I and lower free T4, were associated with higher fat-free mass. Only a higher UFC concentration was associated with favourable calcaneal measurements. In men, higher testosterone was associated with higher fat-free mass and lower fat mass. Higher IGF-I concentration, but not UFC, was independently associated with higher fat-free mass in men. Interaction analyses did not reveal any additive effects of hormones on body composition or bone in either sex. In both men and women, only age was associated with osteoporotic fractures. Conclusion Serum concentrations of androgens together with IGF-I were positively associated with body composition in both sexes. Urinary cortisol was positively associated with fat-free mass and bone status in women only. Increasing age, but not hormones, was the major determinant of osteoporotic fractures in this population sample. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Näringslära (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nutrition and Dietetics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Body composition

Bone

DHEAs

Glucocorticoids

Testosterone

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)