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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2003; 111(6): 341-343
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-42724
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Licorice Consumption and Serum Testosterone in Healthy Man

D. Armanini 1 , G. Bonanni 1 , M. J. Mattarello 1 , C. Fiore 1 , P. Sartorato 1 , M. Palermo 2
  • 1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - Endocrinology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
  • 2Endocrinology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: February 10, 2003 First decision: March 17, 2003

Accepted: March 22, 2003

Publication Date:
01 October 2003 (online)

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Abstract

We have previously found that licorice can reduce serum testosterone in healthy men. These results were not confirmed in another study, where the same amounts of licorice did not decrease salivary testosterone values. In the actual study we treated more cases with the same amount of licorice and reproduced our previous data. The mean testosterone values decreased by 26 % after one week of treatment (p < 0.01). There was also a significant increase in 17-OHP and LH concentrations and a slight, but not significant decrease in free testosterone. Licorice treatment, in addition, did not affect the response of testosterone and 17-OHP to stimulation with β-HCG.

Key words

Licorice - glycyrrhetinic acid - total testosterone - free testosterone

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Prof. Decio Armanini

Department of Medical and Surgical Science - Endocrinology
University of Padua

Via Ospedale 105

35100 Padua

Italy

Phone: 0039049-8213023

Fax: 0 03 90 49-65 73 91

Email: decio.armanini@unipd.it