Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Levels Predict Insulin Sensitivity, Disposition Index and Cardiovascular Risk During Puberty

  1. Kaspar Sørensen, MD (kaspar.soerensen{at}rh.regionh.dk)1,
  2. Lise Aksglaede, MD1,
  3. Thor Munch-Andersen2,
  4. Niels Jacob Aachmann-Andersen2,
  5. Joergen Holm Petersen, PhD1,3,
  6. Linda Hilsted, MD, DMSc4,
  7. Jørn Wulff Helge, PhD5 and
  8. Anders Juul, MD, DMSc1
  1. 1Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
  2. 2Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  3. 3Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  4. 4Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
  5. 5Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

    Abstract

    Objective: Early puberty is associated with increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease. Low sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels are a feature of early puberty as well as conditions associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate SHBG as predictor of glucose metabolism and metabolic risk during puberty.

    Research design and methods: Cross-sectional study on 132 healthy Caucasian children and adolescents evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, direct oxygen uptake measurement during cycle ergometry and fasting blood samples.

    Results: SHBG levels declined with advancement of puberty in both boys (p < 0.001) and girls (p = 0.019). SHBG was statistically significantly positively associated with insulin sensitivity in boys (p < 0.001) and girls (p < 0.001). In addition, SHBG was a strong predictor of insulin sensitivity (p = 0.001) and the only predictor of the disposition index (p = 0.031) after adjusting for puberty, fat mass and aerobic fitness. SHBG was significantly negatively associated with metabolic risk (p = 0.032) as well as hypersensitive CRP levels (p = 0.030) after adjustment for relevant confounders.

    Conclusions: SHBG was a strong predictor of insulin sensitivity and metabolic risk during puberty. Thus, we hypothesize that SHBG integrates the marked changes in glucose metabolism and body composition that occur during pubertal transition.

    Footnotes

      • Received September 3, 2008.
      • Accepted January 28, 2009.

    This Article

    1. Published online before print February 5, 2009, doi: 10.2337/dc08-1618
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