Potential relationship of the gut microbiome with testosterone level in men: a systematic review
Abstract
The gut microbiome influences the metabolism and health of several organs beyond the gut and has recently gained considerable importance. The gut is central to food digestion, absorption, nutrition, and general health. Hence, the gut microbiome has become a subject of research in almost all health conditions. Imbalance or dysbiosis in the gut microbiome can cause different health issues in males, including reproductive and sexual health issues associated with testosterone levels. The relationship between the gut microbiome and testosterone levels has been investigated in several studies. In this systematic review, we aimed to investigate the relationship between gut microbiome and testosterone levels in males. Literature searches were conducted by scanning PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, Taylor & Francis Online, Wiley Online, Springer Link, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases for relevant keywords following the preferred reporting items for systematic review guidelines. This systematic investigation revealed a significant positive correlation between gut microbiome and testosterone levels in men. Several microbiomes were reported to have a significant role in testosterone. The mechanisms were proposed as factors that contribute to testosterone levels, namely, the hypothalamus-pituitary gonad axis, androgen metabolism, and intestinal homeostasis through balancing bone morphogenic protein (BMP) and Wnt diverse microbiome. Ruminococcus showed a stronger correlation with testosterone than with other microorganisms. The gut microbiome has complex correlations and mechanisms in testosterone metabolism. However, the microbiome with the most significant influence on testosterone levels could not be easily summarized and requires further research.