Statins unequivocally associated with lower levels of testosterone

This study was published in Endokrynologia Polska 2014;65(6):464-8

 

Study title and authors:

Treatment with statins and testosterone levels in men.

Mędraś M, Kubicka E, Jóźkow P, Słowińska-Lisowska M, Trzmiel-Bira A, Filus A.

Department of Biological Principles of Sport, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland. eliza.kubicka@gmail.com.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25554614

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the use of statins is associated with the concentration of sex hormones. The study included 237 men, average age 58 years.

the study found:
(a) The total testosterone levels of men taking statins was 9% lower than men not taking statins.
(b) The free testosterone levels of men taking statins was 18% lower than men not taking statins.
(c) The calculated free testosterone levels of men taking statins was 11% lower than men not taking statins.
(d) The bioavailable testosterone levels of men taking statins was 19% lower than men not taking statins.

Medras concluded: "Our study unequivocally confirms that the use of statins is associated with lower levels of: total testosterone, free testosterone, calculated free testosterone and bioavailable testosterone".

High LDL cholesterol helps you live longer

This study was published in Atherosclerosis 2015 Jan 14;239(1):137-142

 

Study title and authors:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was inversely associated with 3-year all-cause mortality among Chinese oldest old: Data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.

Lv YB, Yin ZX, Chei CL, Qian HZ, Kraus VB, Zhang J, Brasher MS, Shi XM, Matchar DB, Zeng Y.

Division of Non-Communicable Disease Control and Community Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25602855

This study examined the relationship between LDL-Cholesterol and all-cause mortality among the elderly. The study included 935 participants, aged 80 and older, who were followed for three years.

The study found:
(a) Each 1 mmol/L (38 mg/dL) increase of LDL-Cholesterol concentration corresponded to a 19% decreased risk of death. 
(b) Those with a LDL-Cholesterol concentration of more than 3.37 mmol/L (130 mg/dL) had a 40% decreased risk of death. 

The researchers concluded: "Higher LDL-Cholesterol level was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality. Our findings suggested the necessity of re-evaluating the optimal level of LDL-Cholesterol among the oldest old".

Statin use increases the risk of multiple colorectal adenomas by 25%

This study was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 2005 Apr;14(4):1026-7

Study title and authors:
Reported use of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors was not associated with reduced recurrence of colorectal adenomas.

Wei JT, Mott LA, Baron JA, Sandler RS; Polyp Prevention Study Group.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina, Campus Box 7080, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. jwei@med.unc.edu

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15824186

This study investigated the association of statins with the risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas. (An adenoma is a benign tumour. Colorectal adenomas are removed because of their tendency to become malignant and to lead to colon cancer). The study analysed data from three randomised trials regarding the recurrence of colorectal adenomas in patients with a history of adenomas. The trials included 2,638 patients.

The analysis revealed:
(a) Statin users had a 3% increased risk of any adenoma compared to statin never-users.
(b) Statin users had a 13% increased risk of any advanced adenoma compared to statin never-users.
(c) Statin users had a 25% increased risk of multiple adenoma compared to statin never-users.