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TOPLINE: A recent study has uncovered intriguing links between sex hormones and metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in men with type 2 diabetes (T2D). According to findings published in BMC Endocrine Disorders, higher serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were associated with a reduced risk of MAFLD in these individuals. Conversely, elevated progesterone levels were linked to a higher risk of developing the condition. Interestingly, no independent associations were found between sex- or thyroid-related hormones and MAFLD risk in women with T2D.
METHODOLOGY: The study, conducted at a hospital in China, included 432 patients hospitalized for complications related to T2D between January 2018 and April 2020. Researchers employed a comprehensive set of measures, including ultrasonography and biochemical assays, to assess MAFLD and hormone levels. Participants, predominantly middle-aged men and postmenopausal women, were evaluated for various metabolic parameters and liver function markers.
TAKEAWAY: Among the study cohort, 63.7% were diagnosed with MAFLD. After adjusting for potential confounders, including weight, glycemic control, and lipid profiles, it was observed that higher FSH and LH levels in men were associated with a lower risk of MAFLD. Conversely, higher progesterone levels significantly increased the likelihood of MAFLD development in men with T2D. In contrast, hormone levels did not independently predict MAFLD risk in women with T2D.
IN PRACTICE: The implications of these findings suggest a potential role for monitoring sex hormones in T2D management, particularly among male patients. Screening for MAFLD and assessing hormone levels could aid in early intervention and personalized treatment strategies.
SOURCE: The study was led by researchers from institutions including Xiamen Clinical Research Center for Cancer Therapy and Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, China, and was published in BMC Endocrine Disorders.
LIMITATIONS: The study’s cross-sectional design limits establishing causal relationships between hormone levels and MAFLD. Additionally, the single-center study and modest sample size may introduce biases. Further research is needed to validate these findings in broader populations and explore additional hormonal markers like sex hormone-binding globulin and free testosterone.
DISCLOSURES: Financial support was provided by Fujian Province Nature Science Foundations and the Guiding Project on Medicine and Health in Xiamen, China. The authors reported no conflicts of interest related to this research.
This study underscores the complex interplay of sex hormones in metabolic disorders among individuals with T2D, offering new avenues for clinical investigation and patient care strategies.
