Is the effect of testosterone on body composition modulated by the androgen receptor gene CAG repeat polymorphism in elderly men?

Article Details

Citation

Lapauw B, Goemaere S, Crabbe P, Kaufman JM, Ruige JB

Is the effect of testosterone on body composition modulated by the androgen receptor gene CAG repeat polymorphism in elderly men?

Eur J Endocrinol. 2007 Mar;156(3):395-401.

PubMed ID
17322500 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The androgen receptor (AR) gene contains a CAG repeat polymorphism coding for a polyglutamine chain, the length of which is inversely correlated with AR transcriptional activity. We explored whether this polymorphism modulates the activities of testosterone (T) related to body composition in elderly men. DESIGN: We performed cross-sectional analyses using data from a 4-year follow-up study in community-dwelling men aged 75-89 years (n=159). METHODS: Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and its relation with T and the AR gene CAG repeat length was assessed by multiple linear regression analyses, adjusting for confounding and exploring effect modification. RESULTS: AR gene CAG repeat length was not directly related to body composition, either with or without adjustment for confounding variables like age, weight, total T or sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels. However, exploration of effect modification showed that CAG repeat length modulated the relation between T and body composition (standardized regression coefficients of interaction term: beta=0.12, P<0.01 and beta=-0.09, P<0.05 for fat-free mass and fat mass respectively). These results were confirmed using similar models and data of mean T, SHBG and weight of the 2 years' preceding body composition assessment instead of data of the same year (beta=0.09, P<0.05 and beta=-0.09, P<0.05 respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the AR gene CAG polymorphism contributes, albeit modestly, to the between-subject variation of T action on body composition in community-dwelling elderly men.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
CalusteroneAndrogen receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Not AvailableDetails
MethyltestosteroneAndrogen receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
TestosteroneAndrogen receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
Testosterone cypionateAndrogen receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
Testosterone enanthateAndrogen receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
Testosterone propionateAndrogen receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
Testosterone undecanoateAndrogen receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details