Associations of endogenous androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin with kidney function and chronic kidney disease

IntroductionThe role of endogenous androgens in kidney function and disease has not been extensively explored in men and women. Research design and methodsWe analyzed data from the observational KORA F4 study and its follow-up examination KORA FF4 (median follow-up time 6.5 years) including 1293 men and 650 peri- and postmenopausal women, not using exogenous sex hormones. We examined the associations between endogenous androgens (testosterone [T], dihydrotestosterone [DHT], free T [fT], free DHT [fDHT], and T/DHT), with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline and follow-up, prevalent, and incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) adjusting for common CKD risk factors. ResultsAt baseline, 73 men (5.7%) and 54 women (8.4%) had prevalent CKD. Cross-sectionally, no significant associations between androgens and kidney function were observed among men. In women, elevated T (beta=-1.305, [95% CI -2.290; -0.320]) and fT (beta=-1.423, [95% CI -2.449; -0.397]) were associated with lower eGFR. Prospectively, 81 men (8.8%) and 60 women (15.2%) developed incident CKD. In women, a reverse J-shaped associations was observed between DHT and incident CKD (Pnon-linear=0.029), while higher fDHT was associated with lower incident CKD risk (odds ratio per 1 standard deviation=0.613, [95% CI 0.369; 0.971]. Among men, T/DHT (beta=-0.819, [95% CI -1.413; -0.226]) and SHBG (Pnon-linear=0.011) were associated with eGFR at follow-up but not with incident CKD. Some associations appeared to be modified by type 2 diabetes (T2D). ConclusionSuggestive associations are observed of androgens and SHBG with kidney impairment among men and women. However, larger well-phenotyped prospective studies are required to further elucidate the potential of androgens, SHBG, and T2D as modifiable risk factors for kidney function and CKD.

Automated summary

This study explored the associations of endogenous androgens with kidney function and disease in men and women, finding that elevated testosterone and free testosterone levels were associated with lower kidney function in women, while no significant associations were observed in men. In women, a reverse J-shaped association was observed between DHT and incident CKD, suggesting potential modifiable risk factors for kidney function and CKD.