Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The benefit of testosterone replacement therapy in men with hypogonadism nd metabolic syndrome is known. Safety of testosterone therapy is still a question of a high interest, especially regarding influence on cardiovascular system.

Objective: To study the safety of testosterone therapy in hypogonadal men with metabolic syndrome based on cardiac ultrasound data.

Methods: We studied 39 men aged 35–69 with hypogonadism (total testosterone <12 nmol/l) and metabolic syndrome (IDF criteria). All men were hypertensive. Of 23 men received testosterone undecanoate (Nebido, Schering) (group 1) and 16 men were the control (group 2). Individual daily monitoring, electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography were performed before and after 30 weeks. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular posterior septum width (LVPSW), interventricular septum width (ISW) were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon test.

Results: In group 1, LVEDV was 117 (110;123) and 116 (110;121) mm (normal range, NR, 96–157), LVESV was 45 (36;46) and 43 (36;45) mm (NR 33–68), LVEF was 63 (61;65) and 63 (61;65) % (NR 58–65), LVPSW was 13 (11;12) and 12 (11;12) mm (NR <12), ISW was 13 (11;12) and 13 (11;11.8) mm (NR <12), respectively. In group 2, LVEDV was 116 (110;120) and 114 (107;121.5) mm, LVESV was 45 (38;47) and 44.5 (38;47) mm, LVEF was 62 (61;66) and 62 (61;65.5) %, LVPSW was 13 (11;12) and 13 (10.05;11.5) mm, ISW was 12 (9.5;12) and 11 (10;11) mm, respectively. All changes were not significant (P>0.05), except LVESV in the group 1 (P=0.02) and LVPSW in group 2 (P=0.02). We did not notice any worsening of hypertension or any significant ECG changes.

Conclusion: Androgen therapy has no adverse influence on cardiac function.