PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “testosterone”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,333 records · Page 74Linked to original sources

Testosterone use in men and its effects on bone health. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

CONTEXT: Androgen-deficient men are at increased risk of osteoporosis. The extent to which testosterone can prevent and treat osteoporosis in men remains unclear. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials in men to estimate the effect of testosterone use on bone health outcomes. DATA SOURCES: The review encompassed librarian-designed search strategies using MEDLINE (1966 to March 2005), EMBASE (1988 to March 2005), and Cochrane CENTRAL (inception to March 2005); a review of reference lists from included studies; and content expert files. DATA COLLECTION: Independently and in duplicate, we assessed the methodological quality of the eligible trials and collected data on bone mineral density and bone fractures at the longest point of complete follow-up. DATA SYNTHESIS: We included eight trials enrolling 365 patients. Two trials followed patients for more than 1 yr. Meta-analysis of these trials showed that, compared with placebo, im testosterone was associated with an 8% (95% confidence interval, 4%, 13%) gain in lumbar bone mineral density and transdermal testosterone had no significant impact. Testosterone use was associated with a nonsignificant 4% (95% confidence interval, -2%, 9%) gain in femoral neck bone mineral density with unexplained differences in results across trials (26% of these differences were not explained by chance alone). No trials measured or reported the effect of testosterone on fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Intramuscular testosterone moderately increased lumbar bone density in men; the results on femoral neck bone density are inconclusive. Without bone fracture data, the available trials offer weak and indirect inferences about the clinical efficacy of testosterone on osteoporosis prevention and treatment in men.

Bone Density↗

Transdermal delivery of testosterone.

We administered testosterone transdermally to six hypogonadal men by applying a thin flexible polymeric membrane containing testosterone to the scrotum. Each man wore a placebo membrane and three doses (5, 10, and 15 mg) of testosterone-containing membranes for 22 h/day. Each dose was worn for 1 week, and one dose was worn a second week. Blood was sampled frequently for one 22 h period on the seventh day of each treatment period. After the application of a membrane, the serum testosterone concentration rose rapidly, reached a peak in 2-3 h, and decreased slowly to 60-80% of the peak value by 22 h. The mean (+/- SE) 22-h average testosterone concentration during the wearing period was dependent on the testosterone content of the membrane (placebo, 135 +/- 38 ng/dl; 5 mg, 348 +/- 66 ng/dl; 10 mg, 455 +/- 77 ng/dl; and 15 mg, 624 +/- 65 ng/dl; P less than 0.001, by analysis of variance). When the same dose was worn twice, the mean coefficient of variation was 13.9%. We conclude that the transdermal application of testosterone to hypogonadal men reproducibly raises their serum testosterone concentrations to within the normal range, and that it, therefore, warrants evaluation as a treatment for male hypogonadism.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Differential binding of testosterone and estradiol to isoforms of sex hormone-binding globulin: selective alteration of estradiol binding in cirrhosis.

The MCR of testosterone is decreased but the MCR of estradiol is unchanged in men with cirrhosis and elevated serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations. Previous studies indicated that SHBG from cirrhotic men selectively delivers estradiol, but not testosterone, to peripheral tissues of rats in vivo. These results suggest that estradiol and testosterone may bind to different SHBG isoforms in serum and that the estradiol-binding isoforms may be selectively altered in cirrhosis. This hypothesis was tested by polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing and fast protein liquid chromatography chromatofocusing. After Concanavalin-A affinity purification of serum glycoproteins from pregnant women, normal men, normal women, and cirrhotic men, the glycoprotein fraction was reconstituted, labeled with [3H]testosterone or [3H]estradiol, and applied to isoelectric focusing gels. Testosterone was bound selectively by the most acidic isoforms of SHBG, pI 4.5-5.4, and there was a significant anodal shift of the estradiol-binding isoforms in serum from cirrhotic men compared to that in serum from normal men. The selective binding of testosterone to the most acidic isoforms of SHBG was confirmed by fast protein liquid chromatography chromatofocusing, wherein the binding reactions were measured at neutral pH after separation of the isoforms. These biochemical studies and previous physiological experiments question the conventional view that testosterone and estradiol bind to a single competitive binding site on SHBG. Rather, testosterone is selectively bound by the most acidic SHBG isoforms. The estradiol-binding isoforms undergo a significant anodal shift in cirrhosis; this abnormality may result in the lack of decrease in estradiol MCR in cirrhosis.

Adult↗

Effective suppression of luteinizing hormone and testosterone by single doses of the new gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist cetrorelix (SB-75) in normal men.

In rats and nonhuman primates the new GnRH antagonist cetrorelix (SB-75; [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(4Cl)2,D-Pal(3)3,D-Cit6,D-Ala10]GnR H) has been shown to suppress testosterone secretion effectively and persistently. A clinical phase I study was performed to assess the hormonal effects of this highly potent antagonist in normal men. After 2 control examinations 30 young male volunteers were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups (n = 5/group), and single doses of 0 (placebo), 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 mg cetrorelix were administered sc. Blood samples were obtained over the course of 7 days postinjection. After maximal cetrorelix serum levels were achieved 1 h postinjection, the GnRH antagonist serum levels decreased with a terminal t1/2 of 29.8 +/- 4.2 h (mean +/- SE). LH secretion was suppressed dose- and time-dependently; maximal suppression occurred 4-6 h postinjection. Suppression of FSH did not reach statistical significance. Doses of 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 mg cetrorelix significantly suppressed testosterone secretion compared to that in the placebo group. After the administration of 1.0 mg cetrorelix, maximal suppression was seen 8 h after injection, with testosterone levels of 7.5 +/- 1.1 nmol/L compared to 15.8 +/- 2.2 nmol/L in the placebo group. Maximal testosterone suppression by 2.0 and 5.0 mg cetrorelix occurred 12 h after injection, with testosterone concentrations of 4.9 +/- 0.5 and 2.2 +/- 0.4 nmol/L, respectively, compared to 16.5 +/- 1.7 nmol/L in the placebo group. Twenty-four hours after the injection of 1.0 and 2.0 mg cetrorelix, testosterone values were no longer significantly different from those in the placebo group, whereas in the 5.0-mg dose group testosterone concentrations increased slightly and reached serum concentrations in the lower normal range after 48 h. The only side-effect observed after the administration of cetrorelix was a transient local erythema at the injection site that disappeared within 30 min. No local induration or pruritus, or any adverse systemic side-effect occurred in any volunteer. In conclusion, the new GnRH antagonist cetrorelix effectively decreases serum LH and testosterone concentrations in a dose- and time-dependent manner and, therefore, has potential for treatment of sex hormone-dependent diseases and male contraception.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone↗

Testosterone treatment in adolescents with delayed puberty: changes in body composition, protein, fat, and glucose metabolism.

Previously, we demonstrated decreased protein breakdown and insulin resistance in pubertal adolescents compared with prepubertal children. Puberty-related increases in sex steroids and/or GH could be potentially responsible. In the present study, the effects of 4 months of testosterone enanthate (50 mg in every 2 weeks) on body composition, protein, fat, and glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity were evaluated in adolescents with delayed puberty. Body composition was assessed by H218O-dilution principle. Protein breakdown, oxidation, and synthesis were measured during primed constant infusion of [1-13C]leucine. Whole-body lipolysis was measured during primed constant infusion of [2H5]glycerol. Insulin action in suppressing proteolysis and lipolysis and stimulating glucose disposal was assessed during a stepwise hyperinsulinemic (10 and 40 mU-m2.min) euglycemic clamp. Fat and glucose oxidation rates were calculated from indirect calorimetry measurements. After 4 months of testosterone treatment, height, weight, and fat free mass (FFM) increased and fat mass, percent body fat, plasma cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoproteins, and leptin levels decreased significantly. Whole-body proteolysis and protein oxidation were lower after testosterone treatment (proteolysis, 0.49 +/- 0.03 vs 0.54 +/- 0.04 g.h.kg FFM, P = 0.032; oxidation, 0.05 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.09 +/- 0.01 g.h.kg FFM, P = 0.015). Protein synthesis was not different, and resting energy expenditure was not different. Total body lipolysis was not affected by testosterone treatment, however, fat oxidation was higher after testosterone (pre-: 2.4 +/- 0.7 vs. post-: 3.5 +/- 0.7 mumol.kg.min, P = 0.031). During the 40 mU.m2.min hyperinsulinemia, insulin sensitivity of glucose metabolism was not affected with testosterone therapy (59.1 +/- 8.8 vs. 57.1 +/- 8.2 mumol.kg.min per muU/mL). However, metabolic clearance rate of insulin was higher posttestosterone (13.6 +/- 1.1 vs. 16.7 +/- 0.8 mL.kg.min, P = 0.004). In conclusion, after 4 months of low-dose testosterone treatment in adolescents with delayed puberty 1) FFM increases and fat mass and leptin levels decrease; 2) postabsorptive proteolysis and protein oxidation decrease; 3) fat oxidation increases; and 4) insulin sensitivity in glucose metabolism does not change, whereas insulin clearance increases. These longitudinal observations are in agreement with our previous cross-sectional studies of puberty and demonstrate sparing of protein breakdown of approximately 1.2 g.kg.day FFM, wasting of fat mass, but no change in insulin sensitivity after short periods of low-dose testosterone supplementation.

Adolescent↗

Serum inhibin B in healthy pubertal and adolescent boys: relation to age, stage of puberty, and follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and estradiol levels.

Inhibin B levels were measured in serum from 400 healthy Danish prepubertal, pubertal, and adolescent males, aged 6-20 yr, in a cross-sectional study using a recently developed immunoassay that is specific for inhibin B, the physiologically important inhibin form in men. In addition, serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and estradiol levels were measured. Serum levels of inhibin B, FSH, LH, testosterone, and estradiol all increased significantly between stages I and II of puberty. From stage II of puberty the inhibin B level was relatively constant, whereas the FSH level continued to increase between stages II and III. From stage III of puberty the FSH level was also relatively constant, although there was a nonsignificant trend of slightly decreased FSH levels at pubertal stage V compared to stage IV. The levels of serum LH, testosterone, and estradiol increased progressively throughout puberty. In prepubertal boys younger than 9 yr, there were no correlation between inhibin B and the other three hormones. In prepubertal boys older than 9 yr, a significant positive correlation was observed between inhibin B and FSH, LH, and testosterone. However, at this pubertal stage, each hormone correlated strongly with age, and when the effect of age was taken into account, only the partial correlation between inhibin B and LH/testosterone remained statistically significant. At stage II of puberty, the positive partial correlation between inhibin B and LH/testosterone was still present. At stage III of puberty, an negative partial correlation between inhibin B and FSH, LH, and estradiol was present, whereas no correlation between inhibin B and testosterone could be observed from stage III onward. The negative correlation between inhibin B and FSH persisted from stage III of puberty onward, whereas the correlation between inhibin B and LH and between inhibin B and estradiol was nonsignificant at stages IV and V of puberty. In conclusion, in boys, serum inhibin B levels increase early in puberty; by pubertal stage II the adult level of inhibin B has been reached. The correlation of inhibin B to FSH, LH, and testosterone changes during pubertal development. Early puberty is characterized by a positive correlation between inhibin B and LH/testosterone, but no correlation to FSH. Late puberty (from stage III) is characterized by a negative correlation between inhibin B and FSH (which is maintained in adult men), a diminishing negative correlation between inhibin B and LH, and no correlation between inhibin B and testosterone, suggesting that developmental and maturational processes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis take place, leading to the establishment of the closed loop feedback regulation system operating in adult men. The positive correlation between inhibin B and LH/ testosterone at the time when serum inhibin B levels rise early in puberty suggests that Leydig cell factors may play an important role in the maturation and stimulation of Sertoli cells in the beginning of pubertal development.

Adolescent↗

Prostate-sparing effects in primates of the potent androgen 7alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone: a potential alternative to testosterone for androgen replacement and male contraception.

7alpha-Methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT) is a potent synthetic androgen that cannot be converted to dihydrotestosterone. In this study we determined the relative androgenic, antigonadotropic, and anabolic potencies of testosterone vs. MENT in the nonhuman primate M. fascicularis. In castrated monkeys, dose-response relationships were generated for the effects of testosterone and MENT on gonadotropin levels, prostate growth, body weight, and lipid metabolism. In a pilot study, four monkeys were castrated, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to document a 50% loss of prostate volume within 8 weeks, verifying that MRI is a reliable means to measure prostate size in this species. Two additional groups of six monkeys each were then castrated and serially administered four graded dosages of testosterone or MENT via osmotic minipumps over 20 weeks. Complete suppression of LH was achieved with a minimum of 0.3 mg/day MENT, compared to 3.0 mg/day testosterone. MENT supported body weight 10 times more potently than did testosterone. Baseline prostate volumes were maintained with 0.1-0.2 mg/day MENT vs. 0.3 mg/day testosterone. Thus, in monkeys, MENT is 10 times more potent than testosterone with regard to the clinically desirable end points of gonadotropin suppression and anabolism, but only twice as potent at stimulating prostate growth. These results suggest that MENT may have a wider therapeutic index than testosterone for human androgen replacement and male contraception.

Anabolic Agents↗

Bioavailable testosterone and depressed mood in older men: the Rancho Bernardo Study.

A cross-sectional population-based study examined the association between endogenous sex hormones and depressed mood in community-dwelling older men. Participants included 856 men, ages 50-89 yr, who attended a clinic visit between 1984-87. Total and bioavailable testosterone, total and bioavailable estradiol, and dihydrotestosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in an endocrinology research laboratory. Depressed mood was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Levels of bioavailable testosterone and bioavailable estradiol decreased with age, but total testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and total estradiol did not. BDI scores increased with age. Low bioavailable testosterone levels and high BDI scores were associated with weight loss and lack of physical activity, but not with cigarette smoking or alcohol intake. By linear regression or quartile analysis the BDI score was significantly and inversely associated with bioavailable testosterone (both Ps = 0.007), independent of age, weight change, and physical activity; similar associations were seen for dihydrotestosterone (P = 0.048 and P = 0.09, respectively). Bioavailable testosterone levels were 17% lower for the 25 men with categorically defined depression than levels observed in all other men (P = 0.01). Neither total nor bioavailable estradiol was associated with depressed mood. These results suggest that testosterone treatment might improve depressed mood in older men who have low levels of bioavailable testosterone. A clinical trial is necessary to test this hypothesis.

Aged↗

Diurnal rhythm of testosterone secretion before and throughout puberty in healthy girls: correlation with 17beta-estradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.

The regulation of androgen synthesis during puberty in females is complicated, with changes in steroidogenic and peripheral interconversion capacity. In the present study we have investigated the diurnal rhythm of testosterone secretion in 56 healthy girls before and during puberty, up to 2 yr postmenarche. The girls' ages ranged between 4.6-16.5 yr, and their height SD scores ranged between -3.6 and +3.7. One to 5 serum profiles (seven samples per 24 h) were taken from each girl for steroid measurements, and a total of 84 serum profiles were obtained. Serum testosterone concentrations were determined using a RIA with a detection limit of 30 pmol/L. The results demonstrate that there is a diurnal rhythm of testosterone secretion during both prepuberty and puberty in girls. The pattern has its nadir in the late evening or just after midnight, with the highest levels in the morning (0600-1000 h). Serum testosterone concentrations in prepubertal girls were significantly lower than those in pubertal girls and were significantly lower in early puberty than in girls in mid- or late puberty. No differences were found in levels between girls in midpuberty or late puberty. Before puberty, serum testosterone concentrations correlated with serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, consistent with the adrenals being the major source of testosterone. After the onset of puberty, a correlation between testosterone and 17beta-estradiol was seen, consistent with the ovaries being the major source of testosterone during puberty. Furthermore, the present study showed that there is a relative hyperandrogenicity in early puberty, with high levels of androgens relative to estrogens.

Adolescent↗

Genotype at the P450scc locus determines differences in the amount of P450scc protein and maximal testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells.

A genetic difference in maximal testosterone production in Leydig cells relates to differences in the genotype at the P450scc locus. The genetic relationship between the P450scc gene, the amount of Leydig cell P450scc protein, and maximal testosterone production was determined in the F2 generation of mice derived from SWR/J mice (SWR), a high Leydig cell testosterone-producing strain, and from C3H/HeJ (C3H), a low Leydig cell testosterone-producing strain. A restriction fragment length polymorphism was identified in the P450scc gene between SWR and C3H mice. This restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to identify F2 mice homozygous for the SWR or the C3H alleles of the P450scc gene. The two types of homozygous mice were compared with regard to maximal testosterone production and the amounts of P450scc, P45017 alpha, and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isomerase (3 beta HSD) proteins. Maximal testosterone production, amounts of P450scc and 3 beta HSD were significantly greater in the SWR than in the C3H progenitor mice. In the F2 mice, homozygous for either the SWR or the C3H allele of P450scc, the differences in maximal testosterone production and the amount of P450scc protein were comparable to the differences in the two progenitor strains. A significant correlation (r = 0.75; P less than 0.01) was found between the amount of P450scc protein and maximal testosterone production. No differences in the amounts of P45017 alpha or 3 beta HSD were observed in the F2 males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Protein synthesis is required for testosterone to decrease ornithine decarboxylase messenger RNA levels in rat Sertoli cells.

We have previously shown that pretreatment of Sertoli cells, derived from 21-day-old Wistar rats, with 5 x 10(-7) M testosterone decreases ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA levels. In the present study we examined the mechanism of this inhibition. Pretreatment of Sertoli cells for 48 h with 5 x 10(-7) M testosterone decreased ODC mRNA levels 30% at all time points examined. Addition of 25 micrograms/ml cycloheximide (CHX) to the testosterone-pretreated cells resulted in a loss of the testosterone-mediated decrease in ODC mRNA levels by 4 h. Surprisingly, a further 1.8-fold increase in ODC mRNA was observed at 8 h compared to that in untreated cells. Addition of CHX to control cells also resulted in a measurable increase in ODC mRNA levels by 4 h, with a further 1.6-fold increase at 8 h. Identical effects were observed using the protein synthesis inhibitor puromycin (200 micrograms/ml), which has a mechanism of action different from that of CHX. Analysis of the half-life of ODC mRNA after actinomycin-D (5 micrograms/ml) inhibition demonstrated that testosterone did not alter ODC mRNA half-life compared to that in control cells (2.63 vs. 2.55 h). These results demonstrate that the mechanism by which testosterone decreases ODC mRNA levels requires continual protein synthesis, since the effect can be abolished by treating the cells with CHX or puromycin. The data also demonstrate that the testosterone effect is exerted primarily at the transcriptional level, since the half-life of ODC mRNA was not affected by testosterone.

Animals↗

Hypertension as a complication of topical testosterone therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To report a patent developing hypertension following the use of testosterone gel. CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old white man who was placed on topical testosterone therapy to increase libido developed hypertension and increased hematocrit simultaneously. After discontinuation of the testosterone, the hematocrit returned to mid-normal reference range and blood pressure returned to normal; he had been normotensive prior to topical testosterone use. DISCUSSION: The popularity of hormone replacement for women for the maintenance of appearance and lifestyle and the prevention of complications such as osteoporosis has been established over several decades, and the complications and risks and benefits of this therapy have been well described. More recently, and particularly with the availability of topical preparations of testosterone, hormone replacement for men is becoming popular with both older male patients and their physicians. We describe a case of hypertension as a complication of the application of topical testosterone and link this adverse effect to the known anabolic effects of testosterone. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be cautious in prescribing topical preparations of testosterone for the proper administration by the patient and alert to the development of hypertension in this population at increased risk for cardiovascular events due to their age.

Administration, Topical↗

Testosterone induced Ca2+ influx in bone marrow-derived macrophages via surface binding sites.

The biological activity of testosterone is thought to occur predominantly through binding to the androgen receptor (AR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that functions as a ligand-activated transcription factor. Here, we found that testosterone could induce a rapid rise in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of Fura-2 loaded bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs), which was found to be predominantly due to the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through Ni2+-blockable Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane. However, these effects of testosterone could not be associated with the classical intracellular AR in BMMs, since AR was not detectable using different experimental techniques. Instead, it was found that testosterone could bind to the surface of BMMs by the use of an impermeable testosterone-BSA-FITC, and Ca2+ influx could also be induced by testosterone conjugated to BSA. Our data indicated a novel mode of direct action of testosterone on BMMs, which was not mediated through the classical AR response, but through the binding sites of testosterone on cell surfaces.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Roles of testosterone in the growth of keratinocytes through bald frontal dermal papilla cells.

A coculture of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) from the bald frontal scalp of stumptailed macaques with keratinocytes derived from human neonatal foreskin revealed that testosterone inhibited keratinocyte proliferation, and that the antiandrogen RU58841 abolished this response. This testosterone-induced keratinocyte growth inhibition was not observed when either type of cells was cultured alone. We also examined conditioned media from the coculture system and demonstrated the identical testosterone-induced growth inhibition on keratinocytes, and this inhibitory effect was conditioned media concentration-dependent. These results suggested that the testosterone-mediated suppression on keratinocyte proliferation might proceed through some diffusible growth mediators in conditioned media. Differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction allowed us to isolate several genes from frontal DPCs that can be either suppressed or induced by testosterone. Supervillin, a membrane-associated, F-actin-binding protein, was identified as one of the testosterone downregulated genes in frontal DPCs. Further characterization of these testosterone-target genes may reveal the mechanism by which testosterone inhibits the growth of follicular cells in androgenetic alopecia.

Alopecia↗

[The effects of antiandrogen TZP-4238 on plasma testosterone and LH and steroidogenesis in rat and canine testis].

TZP-4238 suppresses plasma testosterone in humans, but its action on the androgen biosynthesis pathway has not been established. Therefore, we researched the testicular testosterone level and the testosterone biosynthesis pathway in vitro in rats before and after receiving a single or continuous oral dose of TZP-4238. The total testosterone fell to 60% of the basal level within 3-8 hr (p < 0.05) and then returned to the control concentration by 24 hr after a single administration of 32 mg/kg. The alteration of the plasma testosterone level correlated well with that of the intratesticular level, which was decreased to 50% at 3-8 hr and recovered to the control level by 24 hr. However, the decrement of the plasma LH level at 3-8 hr after a single oral administration was slight and it then returned to the original level at 12 hr. During the 8 weeks of daily administration of 0.5 mg/kg of TZP-4238 or chlormadinone acetate to dogs, the plasma testosterone levels were slightly lower than the basal extent. In vitro experiments were conducted on the rat testis using the exogenous precursor steroids 20 alpha-hydroxycholesterol, pregnenolone and progesterone, in various steps leading to the biosynthesis of testosterone. Trilostane acted at 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (50% inhibition concentration, IC50 was 1 microM), ketoconazole inhibited the 17 alpha-hydroxylase, and C20, 22- and C17, 20-lyase activities, with an IC50 of 1-50 microM. Cyproterone acetate inhibited both the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (IC50;50 microM) and C17, 20-lyase. On the other hand, TZP-4238 exhibited a weaker inhibition of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (IC50; 100 microM) than cyproterone acetate, but not of hydroxylase and lyase. Though TZP-4238 did not inhibit the increased testosterone level induced by hCG, trilostane markedly inhibited the effect induced by hCG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

T3 directly stimulates basal and modulates LH induced testosterone and oestradiol production by rat Leydig cells in vitro.

The effect of T3 on basal and LH mediated synthesis and secretion of testosterone and oestradiol by puberal rat Leydig cells was studied in vitro. Percoll gradient purified Leydig cells (1 x 10(3)) were cultured for 48 hours at 34 degrees C in a medium containing a range of 5-400 ng/mL concentration of T3 or ovine LH after 24 hours initial culture at 37 degrees C. T3 increased testosterone and oestradiol secretions in a dose dependent manner which reached the saturation point with 50 ng dose. While the minimum effective dose of T3 (25 ng) potentiated the stimulatory effect of the minimum effective dose of LH (25 ng) on testosterone secretion, it suppressed the effect of the saturation dose of LH (100 ng). Fifty ng T3 quelled the stimulatory effect of either dose of LH. Both doses of T3 increased oestradiol secretion, irrespective of the dose of LH. Addition of androstenedione (500 ng/mL) to the culture medium enhanced 25 ng T3 induced testosterone and oestradiol secretions. While androstenedione potentiated the stimulatory effect of T3 (25 ng) on LH (25 ng) induced testosterone and oestradiol secretions, it reversed the inhibitory effect of 50 ng T3 on LH mediated testosterone secretion which was accompanied by a decrease in oestradiol secretion. Puromycin (35 microg/mL) suppressed the stimulatory effect of T3 on basal and LH mediated testosterone and oestradiol production. Taken together, the present results indicate a direct stimulatory effects of T3 on basal production of testosterone and oestradiol by Leydig cells and its modulatory effect on LH mediated steroidogenic activity varies depending upon the intensity of LH stimuli.

Androstenedione↗

Risks of testosterone replacement therapy in ageing men.

Testosterone has been available to practitioners for several decades. However, testosterone prescriptions have increased in recent years partly because of the introduction of newer delivery systems that are topical and have good bioavailability. In the US alone, approximately 2 million prescriptions for testosterone were written in 2002. This represents a 30% increase from 2001 and a 170% increase from 1999. There has also been a 500% increase in prescription sales in the past 10 years. The rise in prescriptions may be in part due to the increasing recognition of hypogonadism in ageing males or andropause. Treatment relating to hypogonadism has relieved symptoms and improved the quality of life of many individuals. Epidemiological studies point toward an association with increased morbidity and mortality, with low testosterone states in ageing males. For example, there is a higher prevalence of depression, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, fracture rates, frailty and even dementia with low testosterone states. Recently, there have been some concerns raised regarding the long-term safety of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) from the Institute of Medicine. Current evidence suggests no causal relationship between prostate cancer and physiological dosing of testosterone, especially with careful selection and monitoring of patients. Cardiovascular risks have, overall, been neutral, although suggestions have been made that there are positive vasodilatory properties with testosterone. Mild eythrocytosis can be a common side effect of TRT, but thromboembolic events have rarely been reported in the literature. This paper addresses the evidence to date regarding the safety aspects of TRT. The medical-legal implications of TRT for men at this point in time is also discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Developmental patterns of plasma and testicular testosterone in mice from birth to adulthood.

Male mice were raised in cohabitation with females from birth to 90 days. Testosterone was measured every 10 days in plasma and testes. Sex difference in body weight was related to the pre-pubertal increase of testosterone levels in males. The weight of the seminal vesicle was positively correlated with circulating testosterone levels between 1 and 40 days but not between 50 and 90 days. Testosterone concentrations in the plasma and testes were high at birth: 630 pg/ml and 58.0 +/- 17.7 ng/100 mg; they subsequently decreased during the first days of life and remained low until day 20:240 +/- 110 pg/ml and 0.1 +/- 0.03 ng/100 mg. The testosterone levels then increased rapidly between days 20 and 30 and especially between 30 and 40 reaching their maxima: 5770 +/- 1720 pg/ml and 123.7 +/- 18.3 ng/100 mg testis. This increase was transitory and testosterone levels fell after day 40. By 90 days, the testosterone levels, 440 +/- 65 pg/ml and 43.2 +/- 5.5 ng/100 mg testis, were comparable to those measured at birth. Plasma testosterone and age were positively correlated between 1 and 40 days, and negatively between 50 and 90 days. The first fertile matings occurred at age 40 days.

Age Factors↗