Circulating Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Levels Are Modified With Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, But Their Changes Did Not Independently Predict Diabetes Risk In The Diabetes Prevention Program

The study from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) with 2,142 participants examined the effects of intensive lifestyle intervention (ILS) and metformin on circulating sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels and their link to diabetes risk. ILS increased SHBG levels in postmenopausal women and reduced the decline in men and premenopausal women, mainly due to changes in adiposity. However, these changes in SHBG did not independently predict diabetes risk reduction, indicating that SHBG levels were not a standalone marker for diabetes risk. Metformin did not significantly affect SHBG levels compared to placebo, suggesting SHBG is more a biomarker of metabolic changes rather than a direct factor in diabetes development.