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Dobs AS, Campbell KJ. An Individualized Approach to Managing Testosterone Therapy in the Primary Care Setting. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:7719-7733. [PMID: 36238539 PMCID: PMC9552794 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s364189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of testosterone deficiency and the use of testosterone therapy have increased in recent years, and currently the majority of testosterone prescriptions in the United States and Canada are written by primary care physicians. Meanwhile, the range of available testosterone therapy formulations has widened to include buccal tablets, intramuscular injections, transdermal gels, intranasal gel, subcutaneous injections, oral capsules, and subdermal pellets, each with unique pharmacokinetic and clinical characteristics. Despite the growing use of testosterone therapy and its overall efficacy and safety as demonstrated in clinical trials, concerns exist about the potential impact of testosterone therapy on spermatogenesis and fertility, development of prostate cancer, and risk of polycythemia and cardiovascular events. In addition, ongoing research aims to better characterize the effects of testosterone therapy in specific populations, such as patients aged 65 years and older, patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and transgender patients. The range of treatment options and the diversity of patients' goals, preferences, comorbidities, and risk factors necessitate an individualized approach to testosterone therapy that considers each patient's clinical needs alongside the distinct features of different testosterone formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Sandra Dobs
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Correspondence: Adrian Sandra Dobs, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, 1830 Monument Street, Suite 328, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA, Tel +1-410-955-3663, Fax +1-410-367-2042, Email
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Obesity and Hypogonadism-A Narrative Review Highlighting the Need for High-Quality Data in Adolescents. CHILDREN-BASEL 2019; 6:children6050063. [PMID: 31052376 PMCID: PMC6560454 DOI: 10.3390/children6050063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity continues to rise in adult and pediatric populations throughout the world. Obesity has a direct impact on all organ systems, including the reproductive system. This review summarizes current knowledge about the effects of obesity on the male reproductive system across age, highlighting the need for more data in children and adolescents. Male hypogonadism is commonly seen in patients with obesity and affects the onset, duration, and progression of puberty. Different pathophysiologic mechanisms include increased peripheral conversion of testosterone to estrone and increased inflammation due to increased fat, both of which lead to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotropin (HPG) axis and delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics in adolescent males. Evaluation of the HPG axis in obesity includes a thorough history to exclude other causes of hypogonadism and syndromic associations. Evaluation should also include investigating the complications of low testosterone, including increased visceral fat, decreased bone density, cardiovascular disease risk, and impaired mood and cognition, among others. The mainstay of treatment is weight reduction, but medications such as testosterone and clomiphene citrate used in adults, remain scarcely used in adolescents. Male hypogonadism associated with obesity is common and providers who care for adolescents and young adults with obesity should be aware of its impact and management.
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Nagy MW, Gruber S, McConnell M. Implementation of a Pilot Pharmacist Testosterone Therapy Management Service. J Pharm Pract 2019; 33:654-660. [PMID: 30791810 DOI: 10.1177/0897190019830251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent literature findings suggest that opportunities exist to optimize testosterone replacement therapy management. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a pilot clinical pharmacist testosterone therapy management service in a Veterans Affairs primary care setting. METHODS A 6-month, single-clinic, prospective cohort quality improvement project included male patients with an active prescription for testosterone. Patients were excluded if they switched primary care providers or were managed by a specialty clinic. After diagnosis, primary care providers had the option of referring patients for clinical pharmacist testosterone replacement therapy management. The project investigated the impact of pharmacist management on adherence to guideline-defined baseline and therapeutic monitoring, prior authorization workload, time saved by primary care providers, and clinical pharmacist interventions. RESULTS Sixty patients split between pharmacist management (N = 35) and nonpharmacist management (N = 25) cohorts. Monitoring of baseline parameters was significantly improved with clinical pharmacist management (54% vs 20%, P = 0.0006). Improved baseline monitoring decreased prior authorization team workload as requests were approved on the first submission at a higher rate (100% vs 75.4%, P = 0.06). Pharmacist management increased therapeutic monitoring for assessing symptom improvement (96% vs 26%, P < 0.001), monitoring of testosterone levels (96% vs 61%, P = 0.003), and safety monitoring with complete blood counts (100% vs 83%, P = 0.04). A total of 42 pharmacist-patient encounters saved over 600 minutes of primary care provider time. CONCLUSION Clinical pharmacist involvement enhances therapeutic monitoring for male hypogonadism leaving room for expansion of clinical pharmacy services within testosterone replacement therapy management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Nagy
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veteran Affairs Hospital, Madison, WI, USA.,Clinical Sciences Department, Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Stephanie Gruber
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veteran Affairs Hospital, Madison, WI, USA.,15533University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Macy McConnell
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veteran Affairs Hospital, Madison, WI, USA.,15533University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI, USA
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Arinno A, Apaijai N, Kaewtep P, Pratchayasakul W, Jaiwongkam T, Kerdphoo S, Chattipakorn S, Chattipakorn N. Combined low-dose testosterone and vildagliptin confers cardioprotection in castrated obese rats. J Endocrinol 2019; 240:JOE-18-0673. [PMID: 30620714 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Although a physiological dose of testosterone replacement therapy (p-TRT) has been shown to improve left ventricular (LV) function, some studies reported that it increased the risk of myocardial infarction in testosterone-deprived men. We previously reported that vildagliptin might be used as an alternative to the p-TRT. In this study, we hypothesized that a combined low-dose TRT with vildagliptin exerts greater efficacy than single regimen in improving cardiometabolic function in obese-insulin resistant rats with testosterone deprivation. Male rats were fed on a normal diet or high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Then, they were divided into 2 subgroups; sham operation and orchiectomy (NDO, HFO) and fed their diets for another 12 weeks. At week 25, orchiectomized rats were subdivided into 4 groups, vehicle, p-TRT, vildagliptin, and combined drugs. At week 29, cardiometabolic and biochemical parameters were determined. HFO rats had obese-insulin resistance with a worse LV dysfunction, compared with sham. Vildagliptin and combined drugs effectively reduced insulin resistance. All treatments reduced blood pressure, cardiac autonomic imbalance, LV dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and increased mitochondrial fusion in NDO and HFO rats. However, p-TRT and combined drugs, but not vildagliptin, reduced mitochondrial fission in NDO and HFO rats. We concluded that combined low-dose TRT with vildagliptin mitigated LV function at a similar level to the p-TRT alone and vildagliptin via improving mitochondrial fusion, reducing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in testosterone-deprived rats. Our findings suggest that low-dose TRT combined with vildagliptin may be an alternative for p-TRT in conditions of obese-insulin resistance with testosterone deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apiwan Arinno
- A Arinno, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Chiang Mai university, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nattayaporn Apaijai
- N Apaijai, Neurophysiology unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai university, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Puntarik Kaewtep
- P Kaewtep, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Chiang Mai university, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Wasana Pratchayasakul
- W Pratchayasakul, Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Thidarat Jaiwongkam
- T Jaiwongkam, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Chiang Mai university, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Sasiwan Kerdphoo
- S Kerdphoo, Neurophysiology unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai university, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Siriporn Chattipakorn
- S Chattipakorn, Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Nipon Chattipakorn
- N Chattipakorn, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Chiang Mai university, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
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Rosenberg MA, Shores MM, Matsumoto AM, Bůžková P, Lange LA, Kronmal RA, Heckbert SR, Mukamal KJ. Serum androgens and risk of atrial fibrillation in older men: The Cardiovascular Health Study. Clin Cardiol 2018; 41:830-836. [PMID: 29671886 DOI: 10.1002/clc.22965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decline in serum androgens is common among older men and has been associated with cardiovascular disease, although its role in risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been well defined. HYPOTHESIS Low serum androgens are associated with an increased risk of AF. METHODS We examined the prospective associations between testosterone, its more active metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with risk of AF among 1019 otherwise healthy men with average age 76.3 ±4.9 years in the Cardiovascular Health Study. RESULTS After median follow-up of 9.5 years, 304 (30%) men developed AF. We detected a nonlinear association with risk of incident AF in both free and total DHT, in which subjects with the lowest levels had a higher risk of incident AF. After adjustment for demographics, clinical risk factors, left atrial diameter, and serum NT-proBNP levels, men with free DHT <0.16 ng/dL were at increased risk compared with men with higher levels (hazard ratio: 1.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-2.17, P <0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed that the increased risk was not cutpoint-specific, with a significant association noted up to cutpoints <~0.2 ng/dL. We also detected a complex nonlinear association between SHBG and incident AF, in which subjects in the middle quintile (52.9-65.3 nmol/L) had increased risk. CONCLUSIONS Among older men, low free DHT is associated with an increased risk of incident AF. Further studies are needed to explore mechanisms for this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Rosenberg
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.,Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Molly M Shores
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Washington
| | - Alvin M Matsumoto
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Washington.,Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Petra Bůžková
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Leslie A Lange
- Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | | | - Kenneth J Mukamal
- Department of General Medicine and Primary Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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Chrysant SG, Chrysant GS. Cardiovascular benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy in older men with low testosterone. Hosp Pract (1995) 2018; 46:47-55. [PMID: 29478348 DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2018.1445405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have shown that low testosterone (T) levels have been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and strokes. In contrast, many other studies have demonstrated that normal T levels or the normalization of low T levels with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is associated with decreased incidence of CV events, T2DM, and strokes, besides improving sexual function and the quality of life. However, recent studies have indicated that TRT could lead to increased incidence of CV events and strokes. These latter studies have created a great controversy among physicians regarding these findings, who question the validity of their results. In order to get a better perspective on the current status of TRT in hypogonadal men, a focused Medline and EMBASE search of the English language literature was conducted between 2010 and 2017 using the terms hypogonadism, low Testosterone, cardiovascular disease, testosterone replacement therapy, benefits, risks, older men, mechanism of action, and 58 papers with pertinent information were selected and 48 papers were rejected. The selected papers will be discussed in this review. In conclusion, based on the current status of TRT, the majority of studies indicate that TRT is safe and is associated with prevention of CVD and strokes in hypogonadal men. However, the evidence is not uniform and the therefore, decision to administer TRT should be discussed with the patient till more definitive information becomes available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven G Chrysant
- a Department of Cardiology , University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center , Oklahoma City , OK , USA
| | - George S Chrysant
- b Department of Cardiology , INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center , Oklahoma City , OK , USA
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Abu-Samak MS, Mohammad BA, Abu-Taha MI, Hasoun LZ, Awwad SH. Associations Between Sleep Deprivation and Salivary Testosterone Levels in Male University Students: A Prospective Cohort Study. Am J Mens Health 2017; 12:411-419. [PMID: 29025356 PMCID: PMC5818117 DOI: 10.1177/1557988317735412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep deprivation is a common health problem that is growing rapidly worldwide and it is associated with short- and long-term impacts on health. The aim of this study was to detect potential predictors of salivary testosterone (sT) association with sleep deprivation in Arab male university students. In this prospective cohort study, 77 university male students in the age range of 18 to 26 years were divided into two groups, sleep-deprived (SD) participants and non-sleep-deprived (NSD) participants. Sleep deprivation was defined as sleeping less than 5 hr per night. Blood samples and sT were collected from fasting participants to measure serum levels of glucose, lipid profile, leptin, serotonin, sT, and body mass index (BMI) values. The multiple linear correlation model of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), BMI, and serotonin was positively correlated with sT (r = .977, p < .05) in the SD group. No correlations were identified with sT in the NSD group. In the SD study group, the multiple linear regression model of HDL-C, BMI, and serotonin was significantly influenced by sT (R² = .955, p < .05). These predictors together explained approximately 96% of the variance in sT levels in the SD study group. No predictive variables for sT were reported in the NSD group. Results indirectly confirmed the presence of a positive association between sT and sleep deprivation in young men. This association is mediated by three factors, HDL-C, BMI, and serum serotonin, which are collectively considered as part of a significant physiological adaptation to sleep deprivation in young men.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beisan Ali Mohammad
- 1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - May Ibrahim Abu-Taha
- 1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Luai Zidan Hasoun
- 1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Shady Helmi Awwad
- 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
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Ruamyod K, Watanapa WB, Shayakul C. Testosterone rapidly increases Ca 2+-activated K + currents causing hyperpolarization in human coronary artery endothelial cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 168:118-126. [PMID: 28223151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone has endothelium-dependent vasodilatory effects on the coronary artery, with some reports suggesting endothelial ion channel involvement. This study employed the whole-cell patch clamp technique to investigate the effect of testosterone on ion channels in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) and the mechanisms involved. We found that 0.03-3μM testosterone significantly induced a rapid, concentration-dependent increase in total HCAEC current (EC50, 71.96±1.66nM; maximum increase, 59.13±8.37%; mean±SEM). The testosterone-enhanced currents consisted of small- and large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ currents (SKCa and BKCa currents), but not Cl- and nonselective cation currents. Either a non-permeant testosterone conjugate or the non-aromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could increase HCAEC currents as well. The androgen receptor antagonist flutamide prevented this testosterone, testosterone conjugate, and DHT effect, while the estrogen receptor antagonist fulvestrant did not. Incubating HCAECs with pertussis toxin or protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 largely inhibited the testosterone effect, while pre-incubation with phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122, prostacyclin inhibitor indomethacin, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME or cytochrome P450 inhibitor MS-PPOH, did not. Finally, testosterone application induced HCAEC hyperpolarization within minutes; this effect was prevented by SKCa and BKCa current inhibitors apamin and iberiotoxin. This is the first electrophysiological demonstration of androgen-induced KCa current increase, leading to hyperpolarization, in any endothelial cell, and the first report of SKCa as a testosterone target. Our data show that testosterone rapidly increased whole-cell HCAEC SKCa and BKCa currents via a surface androgen receptor, Gi/o protein, and protein kinase A. This mechanism may explain rapid testosterone-induced coronary vasodilation seen in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katesirin Ruamyod
- Department of Physiology Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
| | - Wattana B Watanapa
- Department of Physiology Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
| | - Chairat Shayakul
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
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