Levels of plasma testosterone, antioxidants and oxidative stress in alcoholic patients attending de-addiction centre

In men chronic heavy drinking interferes with reproductive hormones which are responsible for sexual maturation, sperm development and fertility. Alcohol is directly toxic to the testes; causing reduced testosterone levels.The present study was designed with an aim to elucidate the effect of oxidative stress on plasma testosterone level and hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis function in alcoholics. The plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were investigated in alcohols (n=200) (25–45 years) and were compared with normal non alcoholic controls (n=160). Alcohol abusers displayed significantly lower levels of plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, ßCarotene, Glutathione and Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Reductase activities accompanied with significantly higher levels of Protein carbonyl content and Malondialdehyde levels than controls (P<0.001).Decreased serum testosterone level in alcoholics might be due to increased oxidative stress and decrease in antioxidant levels.