Longitudinal changes in plasma sex hormone concentrations correlate with changes in CT-measured regional adiposity among Japanese American men over 10 years

Association between serum testosterone changes and parameters of the metabolic syndrome

Testosterone production is important in males, and various physical and psychological abnormalities occur in individuals with low testosterone levels. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effects of longitudinal changes in total testosterone levels in the same cohort. We included 178 male subjects who visited our hospital multiple times between 2018 and 2023 for medical checkups for at least 3 years. The median baseline age and total testosterone level (TT) of the cohort were 61 years and 4.74 ng/mL, respectively. The patients were divided into four groups based on the difference in TT (ΔTT) between baseline and last visit (Q1, n = 45; Q2, n = 45; Q3, n = 44; Q4, n = 44). ΔTT values ranged from -3.07 to -0.78 ng/mL in Q1, from -0.75 to -0.05 ng/mL in Q2, from -0.03 to 0.73 ng/mL in Q3, and from 0.75 ng/mL to 3.4 ng/mL in Q4. The median ΔTT were -1.22 for Q1, -0.35 for Q2, +0.19 for Q3, and +1.43 for Q4. Decreased TT tended to increase body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and visceral fat (p for trend 0.0136, 0.0272, 0.0354, and 0.0032, respectively), and decrease adiponectin level (p for trend 0.0219). Herein, we found that decreased TT increases visceral fat and decreases adiponectin levels.

Systemic effects of the hormonal treatment of male hypogonadism with preliminary indications for the management of COVID-19 patients

Male hypogonadism, defined as an inadequate production of testosterone (T), is associated with a greater morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies identified T deficiency as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Also, low serum T levels impact on glucose homeostasis through a worse glucose uptake, utilization, and disposal, and the general negative impact on metabolism. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the effects of T replacement therapy on metabolic and cardiovascular systems and prostate tissue in patients with hypogonadism, including molecular mechanisms through which T exerts its actions. Furthermore, recent findings on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemiology have shown a greater mortality in male compared with female patients and a role of T in promoting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection of the host cells has been demonstrated. Hence, the secondary aim of this review is to provide preliminary indications on the management in patients with COVID-19.