Evaluation of Male Sex Hormones and Oxidative Stress Markers in Obese Subjects with and without Metabolic Syndrome in Nnewi Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The incidence of metabolic syndrome is rapidly increasing in Nigeria and it is a cluster of risk factors of abdominal obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, hypertension which can lead to infertility and oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to verify the influence of metabolic syndrome on male fertility hormones, oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in obese subjects. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study which involved ninety (90) obese subjects between the ages of 29 – 49 years. They were divided into two groups; group 1 obese with metabolic syndrome (50 subjects) and group 2 obese without metabolic syndrome (40 subjects). The classification of metabolic syndrome was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III guidelines. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses. Serum metabolic profile and oxidative stress markers were analyzed colorimetrically while serum level of male sex hormones and insulin were measured with Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay method. Statistical analyses was done using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The mean levels of metabolic profile (fasting plasma glucose, fasting blood insulin  homeostatic model assessment – Insulin Resistance index, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins, very low density lipoprotein and triglyceride) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in groups with metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, there were significant lower level of testosterone and higher level of estradiol in metabolic syndrome group (P<0.05). The mean levels of antioxidants total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase were not significantly lower in test group (metabolic syndrome) when compared with the control (P>0.05), however, malondialdehyde was significantly higher (P<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, components of metabolic syndrome can cause alterations in male sex hormones thus leading to infertility. It can also cause a redox imbalance characterized by increased plasma oxidation and reduced antioxidant capacity.