Potential relation between soluble growth differentiation factor-15 and testosterone deficiency in male patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract Background There is a mutual interaction between inflammation and endocrine disorders in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is associated with CAD, and the effects of testosterone on CAD as reported in literature have been considered as anti-atherosclerotic. The present study aimed to examine the possible association between serum GDF-15 and testosterone in male CAD patients. Methods GDF-15 and testosterone concentrations were determined in blood samples of 426 male patients with CAD and 220 male controls. Serum concentrations of hs-CRP, and other baseline characteristics were also measured. Results Serum levels of GDF-15 were higher in CAD patients when compared to controls, and testosterone concentrations were lower (p