Aims: The effects of testosterone on cardiovascular disease (CVD) as reported in literature have been ambiguous. Recently, the interplay between testosterone and oestradiol as assessed by testosterone/oestradiol (T/E2) ratio was suggested to be better informative on the normal physiological balance. Considering the role in CVD, we hypothesized that a low T/E2 ratio in men with CVD is associated with increased inflammation, a more unstable plaque and a worse cardiovascular outcome.
Methods and results: Testosterone and oestradiol concentrations were determined in blood samples of 611 male carotid endarterectomy patients included in the Athero-Express Biobank Study. T/E2 ratio was associated with baseline characteristics, atherosclerotic plaque specimens, inflammatory biomarkers, and 3 year follow-up information. Patients with low T/E2 ratio had more unfavourable inflammatory profiles compared with patients with high T/E2 as observed by higher levels of C-reactive protein [2.81 μg/mL vs. 1.22 μg/mL (P < 0.001)] and higher leucocyte counts [8.98*109/L vs. 7.75*109/L (P = 0.001)] in blood. In atherosclerotic plaques, a negative association between T/E2 ratio and number of neutrophils [B = -0.366 (P = 0.012)], plaque calcifications [OR: 0.816 (P = 0.044)], interleukin-6 (IL-6) [B = -0.15 (P = 0.009)], and IL-6 receptor [B = -0.13 (P = 0.024)] was found. Furthermore, in multivariate Cox regression analysis, low T/E2 ratio was independently associated with an increased risk for major cardiovascular events (MACE) during 3 year follow-up [hazard ratio 1.67 (95% confidence interval 1.02-2.76), P = 0.043]. In men with elevated body mass index (BMI), these effects were strongest.
Conclusion: In male patients with manifest atherosclerotic disease, low T/E2 ratio was associated with increased systemic inflammation, increased inflammatory plaque proteins, and an increased risk of future MACE as compared to men with normal T/E2 ratio. These effects are strongest in men with elevated BMI and are expected to be affected by aromatase activity in white fat tissues. Normalization of T/E2 ratio may be considered as target for the secondary prevention of CVD in men.