The effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on myocardial, hepatic, pancreatic lipid content, body fat distribution and other cardiometabolic risk factors: A magnetic resonance-based study in transgender individuals
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose: We aimed to assess the changes in body fat distribution, intraorgan lipid accumulation, and cardiometabolic risk factors after 6 months of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) in transgender men (TM) and transgender women (TW). Methods: Conducted at the Medical University of Vienna between 2019 and 2022, the study included 15 TW and 20 TM. We conducted magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to determine the visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) amounts, the VAT/SAT ratio, and the intraorgan lipid content (liver, pancreas, myocardium), bloodwork, and an oral glucose tolerance test at baseline and after 6 months of GAHT. Results: (5,1% (±0,3) vs 5,3% (±0,4), p = 0,001). Conclusions: 6 months of GAHT were not associated with statistically significant changes in myocardial, hepatic, or pancreatic lipid content. Short-term GAHT led to a marked body fat redistribution with a significant decrease in the VAT/SAT ratio in TW.
Authors: Dorota Sluková, Carola Deischinger, Ivica Just, Ulrike Kaufmann, Siegfried Trattnig, Martin Krššák, Lana Kosi-Trebotic, Juergen Harreiter, Alexandra Kautzky-Willer
Institutions: Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,940
OpenAlex ID: W4405105281