Published ahead of print on August 11, 2005, doi:10.1164/rccm.200501-114OC
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Volume 172, Number 9, November 2005, 1105-1111
A more recent version of this article appeared on November 1, 2005
Submitted on January 25, 2005
Accepted on August 9, 2005
Hypogonadism, Quadriceps Weakness and Exercise Intolerance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Monique Van Vliet1, Martijn A Spruit2, Geert Verleden3, Ahmad Kasran4, Erik Van Herck5, Fabio Pitta2, Roger Bouillon5, and Marc Decramer2*
1 Respiratory Rehabilitation and Respiratory Division, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium,
2 Respiratory Rehabilitation and Respiratory Division, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Pneumology, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,
3 Respiratory Rehabilitation and Respiratory Division, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Pneumology, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,
4 Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,
5 Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology (LEGENDO), Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: marc.decramer{at}uz.kuleuven.ac.be.
Rationale
Circulating levels of testosterone and gonadotrophins of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have never been compared with those of elderly men with normal pulmonary function. Moreover, the relationship of hypogonadism with quadriceps muscle weakness and exercise intolerance has been studied scarcely in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Objectives
To compare circulating levels of hormones of the pituitary-gonadotrophic axis of men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with those of age-matched controls. Moreover, to study the relationship of hypogonadism with quadriceps muscle force, 6-min walking distance and systemic markers of inflammation in the patients.
Methods and measurements
Circulating levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin were determined and free testosterone was calculated in 78 patients (forced expiratory volume in the first second: 44±17% of the predicted values) and 21 control subjects. Moreover, quadriceps muscle force, 6-min walking distance, number of packyears and systemic inflammation were determined.
Main results
Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were higher in the patients, while testosterone was lower (p 0.05). The latter finding was also present in 48 non-steroid using patients with normal blood gases. Low androgen status was significantly related to quadriceps muscle weakness (r=0.48) and C-reactive protein (r=-0.39) in the patients, but not to exercise intolerance, the number of packyears or increased circulating levels of interleukin-8 or soluble receptors of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
Conclusions
In contrast to exercise intolerance, quadriceps muscle weakness is related to low circulating levels of testosterone in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Key words: quadriceps muscle strength,
testosterone,
sex hormone-binding globulin,
follicle stimulating hormone,
luteinizing hormone
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
F. Laghi, N. Adiguzel, and M. J. Tobin
Endocrinological derangements in COPD
Eur. Respir. J.,
October 1, 2009;
34(4):
975 - 996.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Graat-Verboom, E. F. M. Wouters, F. W. J. M. Smeenk, B. E. E. M. van den Borne, R. Lunde, and M. A. Spruit
Current status of research on osteoporosis in COPD: a systematic review
Eur. Respir. J.,
July 1, 2009;
34(1):
209 - 218.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Bolton, M. Stone, P. Edwards, J. Duckers, W. Evans, and D. Shale
Circulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 and osteoporosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic Respiratory Disease,
May 1, 2009;
6(2):
81 - 87.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. TENGSTRAND, K. CARLSTROM, and I. HAFSTROM
Gonadal Hormones in Men with Rheumatoid Arthritis -- From Onset Through 2 Years
J Rheumatol,
May 1, 2009;
36(5):
887 - 892.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. J. Barry, D. F. Waterhouse, C. M. Reilly, T. J. McKenna, E. F. McKone, and C. G. Gallagher
Androgens, Exercise Capacity, and Muscle Function in Cystic Fibrosis
Chest,
December 1, 2008;
134(6):
1258 - 1264.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Cazzola, W. MacNee, F. J. Martinez, K. F. Rabe, L. G. Franciosi, P. J. Barnes, V. Brusasco, P. S. Burge, P. M. A. Calverley, B. R. Celli, et al.
Outcomes for COPD pharmacological trials: from lung function to biomarkers
Eur. Respir. J.,
February 1, 2008;
31(2):
416 - 469.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. B. Araujo, V. Kupelian, S. T. Page, D. J. Handelsman, W. J. Bremner, and J. B. McKinlay
Sex Steroids and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in Men
Arch Intern Med,
June 25, 2007;
167(12):
1252 - 1260.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. L. Ries, G. S. Bauldoff, B. W. Carlin, R. Casaburi, C. F. Emery, D. A. Mahler, B. Make, C. L. Rochester, R. ZuWallack, and C. Herrerias
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Joint ACCP/AACVPR Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines
Chest,
May 1, 2007;
131(5_suppl):
4S - 42S.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. M. Fabbri, F. Luppi, B. Beghe, and K. F. Rabe
Update in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2005.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
May 15, 2006;
173(10):
1056 - 1065.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Laghi
Low Testosterone in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Does It Really Matter?
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
November 1, 2005;
172(9):
1069 - 1070.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
Copyright © 2005 American Thoracic Society
|
|
|
