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Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(2): 87-92
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-20521
Original Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Impact on Lipoprotein Profile after Long-Term Testosterone Replacement in Hypogonadal Men

G.  Berg 1 , L.  Schreier 1 , G.  Geloso 2 , P.  Otero 2 , A.  Nagelberg 2 , O.  Levalle 2
  • 1 Laboratorio de Lípidos y Lipoproteínas, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • 2 División Endocrinología, Hospital Carlos G. Durand, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Publication History

12 March 2001

21 August 2001

Publication Date:
04 March 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Testosterone serum levels may influence the lipoprotein metabolism and possibly atherogenic risk. Our aim was to investigate the effects of long-term testosterone supplementation in hypogonadal men on multiple lipoprotein markers. 18 Hypogonadal men were studied before and after 3, 6, and 18 (n = 7) months of treatment with testosterone enanthate. During treatment, serum testosterone and estradiol increased, reaching normal levels (p < 0.0001 and 0.003, respectively). This was associated with a decrease in HDL cholesterol (from 1.40 ± 0.10 mmol/l to 1.22 ± 0.08 mmol/l, p < 0.001) after six months at the expense of HDL2 cholesterol (p < 0.01), as well as apoprotein A1 (from 139 ± 3.4 mg/dl to 126 ± 3.0 mg/dl, p < 0.005). Hepatic lipase activity increased (p < 0.05) and correlated positively with testosterone (r = 0.56, p < 0.02) and negatively with HDL cholesterol (r = - 0.58, p < 0.02). Total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apoprotein B did not increase. Among the seven patients who completed 18 months of treatment, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, as well as total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio values did not differ from baseline while apoprotein A1 (p < 0.03) and HDL cholesterol (p < 0.015) remained decreased and hepatic lipase unchanged. Restoration of testosterone levels in hypogonadal men in this study did not reveal unfavorable changes based on total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol/apoprotein B ratios, which are both atherogenic risk markers. Whether the changes in light of lipoprotein metabolism will adversely influence cardiovascular risk over time remains to be determined.

Key words

Hypogonadism - Testosterone Substitution - Lipids - Lipoproteins - Hepatic Lipase

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Gabriela Berg

Lab. Lípidos y Lipoproteínas · Dto. Bioquímica Clínica, Fac. Farmacia y Bioquímica · Universidad de Buenos Aires

Junín 956 (C1113AAD) · Buenos Aires · Argentina

Phone: + 54 (11) 4964-8297

Fax: + 54 (11) 4508-3645

Email: gaberg@dbc.ffyb.uba.ar