Hormones (Athens). 2026 May 18. doi: 10.1007/s42000-026-00787-y. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The oxidative balance score (OBS) was developed to reflect the overall exposure of the body to antioxidants and pro-oxidants in the individual’s lifestyle and diet. The research aims to explore the relationship between OBS and sex hormones, including total testosterone (TT) and estradiol (E2), as well as indices including sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone deficiency (TD), free testosterone, and the ratio of TT to E2.
METHODS: A total of 2464 male participants were enrolled in the study during the period 2013 to 2016. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between OBS and sex hormones. Stratified analysis was conducted in participants of different age, body mass index (BMI), poverty income ratio, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and diabetes mellitus (DM).
RESULTS: We found that OBS (β = 2.13, 95% CI: 0.17 ~ 4.09, P = 0.030) and lifestyle OBS (β = 21.09, 95% CI: 9.27 ~ 32.90, P = 0.004) were significantly correlated with TT with full adjustment. We also found noteworthy relationships between lifestyle OBS and SHBG (β = 2.55, 95% CI: 0.77 ~ 4.33, P = 0.010), TD (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58 ~ 1.00, P = 0.045), and ratio of TT to E2 (β = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.71 ~ 1.50, P < 0.001). Stratified analyses by many covariates revealed that the results were basically stable across populations.
CONCLUSION: The results showed that males who lead an antioxidant-rich lifestyle had increased serum TT levels and were less likely to develop TD. This suggests that antioxidant-rich lifestyle choices may additionally help to prevent disorders related to sex hormone imbalance.
PMID:42151602 | DOI:10.1007/s42000-026-00787-y
