The Association between Serum Testosterone and Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis

Management of male obesity-related secondary hypogonadism: A clinical update

The global obesity pandemic has resulted in a rise in the prevalence of male obesity-related secondary hypogonadism (MOSH) with emerging evidence on the role of testosterone therapy. We aim to provide an updated and practical approach towards its management. We did a comprehensive literature search across MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords "MOSH" OR "Obesity-related hypogonadism" OR "Testosterone replacement therapy" OR "Selective estrogen receptor modulator" OR "SERM" OR "Guidelines on male hypogonadism" as well as a manual search of references within the articles. A narrative review based on available evidence, recommendations and their practical implications was done. Although weight loss is the ideal therapeutic strategy for patients with MOSH, achievement of significant weight reduction is usually difficult with lifestyle changes alone in real-world practice. Therefore, androgen administration is often necessary in the management of hypogonadism in patients with MOSH which also improves many other comorbidities related to obesity. However, there is conflicting evidence for the appropriate use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and it can also be associated with complications. This evidence-based review updates the available evidence including the very recently published results of the TRAVERSE trial and provides comprehensive clinical practice pearls for the management of patients with MOSH. Before starting testosterone replacement in functional hypogonadism of obesity, it would be desirable to initiate lifestyle modification to ensure weight reduction. TRT should be coupled with the management of other comorbidities related to obesity in MOSH patients. Balancing the risks and benefits of TRT should be considered in every patient before and during long-term management.

Blood pressure responses to testosterone therapy are amplified by hematocrit levels in opioid-induced androgen deficiency: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Our study aimed to examine the effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on blood pressure in opioid-treated men with relative hypogonadism, and whether the effect of TRT on blood pressure was modified by body composition, red blood cell levels, or carotid intima media thickness. Men (over 18 years old) receiving opioid treatment and total testosterone less than 12 nmol were randomly assigned to receive either TRT or placebo. Baseline and 6-month measurements included anthropometric measurements, office blood pressure (OBPM), 24-h ambulatory blood pressure, blood samples, and carotid ultrasound. The mean systolic OBPM increased by 6.2 mmHg (0.2-12.1) in the TRT group and decreased by 7.0 mmHg (1.0-15.1) in the placebo group, with a mean difference of 13.2 mmHg (3.4-23.1), P  = 0.01. In the TRT group, a 10 mmHg increase in systolic OBPM was associated with an increase in hematocrit of 0.3% points (0.1-0.5) ( P  = 0.01), whereas no association was observed in the placebo group ( P  = 0.266). Daytime SBP showed a nonsignificant increase of 5.2 mmHg (-1.7, 12.1) ( P  = 0.134) in the TRT group compared to that in the placebo group. However, the impact of TRT on the increase in daytime ambulatory blood pressure was significantly accentuated by baseline values of BMI, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. In conclusion, TRT was associated with higher OBPM compared to placebo, and the increase in blood pressure was linked to higher hematocrit during TRT. Our data suggest that men with opioid-induced androgen deficiency, particularly those with obesity or red blood cell levels in the upper normal range, are more susceptible to increased daytime SBP during TRT.

Genetic association of lipid-lowering drug target genes with erectile dysfunction and male reproductive health

Objective

The effect of hypolipidemic drugs on male erectile function is still controversial. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aimed to explore the potential impact of lipid-lowering drug targets on ED.

Methods

We collected seven genetic variants encoding lipid-lowering drug targets (LDLR, HMGCR, NPC1L1, PCSK9, APOB, APOC3 and LPL) from published genome-wide association study (GWAS) statistics, and performed drug target MR analysis. The risk of ED was defined as the primary outcome, sex hormone levels and other diseases as the secondary outcomes. Mediation analyses were performed to explore potential mediating factors.

Results

The results showed that LDLR, LPL agonists and APOC3 inhibitors were significantly associated with a reduced risk of ED occurrence. APOB inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of ED occurrence. In terms of sex hormone levels, LDLR and LPL agonists were significantly associated with increased TT levels, and HMGCR was associated with decreased TT and BT levels significantly. In terms of male-related disease, MR results showed that LDLR agonists and PCSK9 inhibitors were significantly associated with an elevated risk of PH; HMGCR, NPC1L1 inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk of PCa; and LDLR agonists were significantly associated with a reduced risk of AS and MI; in addition, HMGCR inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk of PCa.

Conclusion

After performing drug-targeted MR analysis, we found that that there was a causal relationship between lipid-lowering drug targets and ED. APOC3, APOB, LDLR and LPL may be new candidate drug targets for the treatment of ED.

The lipid-lowering effects of fenugreek gum, hawthorn pectin, and burdock inulin

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering effects and mechanisms of fenugreek gum (FG), hawthorn pectin (HP), and burdock inulin (BI) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Methods

In this study, high-fat diet (HFD) together with fat emulsion administration were used to establish hyperlipidemia model. The biochemical indices were assayed after administration of FG, HP, and BI. Their effects were evaluated by factor analysis. Alterations of gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecal were assessed to illustrate the mechanism of lipid lowering.

Results

The supplementation of FG, HP, and BI on HFD-fed rats decreased the levels of serum lipid and reduced the HFD-related liver and testicle damage. In the scatter plot of factor analysis, HP and BI were closer to normal fat diet (NFD) group in restoring the severity of hyperlipidemia, while FG and HP enhanced the excretion of cholesterol and bile acids (BAs). The levels of total SCFAs, especially butyric acid reduced by HFD were increased by HP. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes increased by HFD was reduced by HP and BI. FG, HP, and BI enriched intestinal probiotics, which were related to bile acid excretion or lipid-lowering.

Conclusions

FG inhibited the absorption of cholesterol and enhanced the excretion of it, as well as increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria. While BI restored the imbalance of intestinal microbiota. HP enhanced the excretion of cholesterol and BAs, and restored the imbalance of intestinal microbiota. It was also utilized by intestinal microorganisms to yield SCFAs. This study suggested that FG, HP, and BI possessed the potential to be utilized as dietary supplements for obesity management.

Association of сarriage of the rs4646994 polymorphism of the ACE gene with obesity and androgen deficiency in men

BACKGROUND: Obesity and androgen deficiency (AnD) are characterized by similar disturbances in metabolic parameters, the presence of signs of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and vascular complications. These facts indicate the possibility of the presence of common mechanisms that determine the predisposition to the development of obesity and AnD, which may include genetic factors, in particular, the rs4646994 polymorphism of the ACE gene, which, according to recent data, is associated with the risk of developing CVD, hypertension, and obesity.

AIM: To study the association of the carriage of polymorphic variants of the rs4646994 locus of the ACE gene with the features of anthropometric and androgenic status in men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period from April 2020 to October 2021 there were observed male patients aged 18–75 years old, who were hospitalized in a therapeutic hospital because of comorbid somatic pathology (hypertension, coronary heart disease, dorsopathy, vegetative-vascular dystonia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and others). Anthropometry, a study of the content of hormones of the reproductive system in the blood serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as well as a genetic study for the carriage of polymorphic variants of the rs4646994 locus of the ACE gene by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, followed by electrophoresis of PCR products, were carried out. 

RESULTS: 82 patients took part in research. According to the results of genetic analysis, 17 people were assigned to the group of homozygotes for the wild type (I/I, G1), 41 people were assigned to the group of heterozygotes (I/D, G2), and 41 people were assigned to the group of homozygotes for the mutant allele (D/D, G3) 24 people. Body weight, chest circumference, waist and hips, body mass index in patients carrying the D allele of the rs4646994 polymorphism were statistically significantly higher than in I/I homozygotes. Differences in hormonal status also turned out to be statistically significant: patients from G1 compared with G2 and G3 had higher levels of total testosterone; from G1 compared to G3 — a higher level of free testosterone.

CONCLUSION: An association of the carriage of the D allele of the rs4646994 polymorphic locus of the ACE gene with overweight and ADI was revealed.

Clinical Aspects of Genetic and Non-Genetic Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common monogenic metabolic disorder characterized by considerably elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels leading to enhanced atherogenesis, early cardiovascular disease (CVD), and premature death. However, the wide phenotypic heterogeneity in FH makes the cardiovascular risk prediction challenging in clinical practice to determine optimal therapeutic strategy. Beyond the lifetime LDL-C vascular accumulation, other genetic and non-genetic risk factors might exacerbate CVD development. Besides the most frequent variants of three genes (LDL-R, APOB, and PCSK9) in some proband variants of other genes implicated in lipid metabolism and atherogenesis are responsible for FH phenotype. Furthermore, non-genetic factors, including traditional cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic and endocrine disorders might also worsen risk profile. Although some were extensively studied previously, others, such as common endocrine disorders including thyroid disorders or polycystic ovary syndrome are not widely evaluated in FH. In this review, we summarize the most important genetic and non-genetic factors that might affect the risk prediction and therapeutic strategy in FH through the eyes of clinicians focusing on disorders that might not be in the center of FH research. The review highlights the complexity of FH care and the need of an interdisciplinary attitude to find the best therapeutic approach in FH patients.

The Effects of Testosterone Treatment on Cardiovascular Health

Current evidence suggests that testosterone therapy has numerous benefits and risks on cardiovascular health. Examples of this include published data that support improvements in insulin sensitivity and body composition which may reduce the risk of diabetes. On the other hand, testosterone therapy may offset such benefits by mild impairments in lipid parameters. Consequently, controversy on the effects of testosterone therapy on cardiovascular health remains. Studies are underway to clarify this important question for the benefit of men with hypogonadism.

Testosterone aggravates cerebral vascular injury by reducing plasma HDL levels

Testosterone is often used to improve the physiological function. But increased testosterone levels affect blood lipids and cause inflammation and oxidative stress, which are risk factors for vascular diseases. This study aimed at investigating the effects of testosterone on cerebral vascular injury using an established intracranial aneurysm (IA) model. Sixteen-week-old female C57Bl/6 mice were subcutaneously infused with testosterone propionate (TP; 5 mg/kg day) or plain soybean oil (controls) for 6 weeks. After 2 weeks of treatment, mice were given angiotensin II-elastase for another 4 weeks. The results showed that TP significantly increased cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production in cerebral artery, together with increases in plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and in urinary 8-isoprostane levels. Plasma assays showed that 2 weeks after TP or soybean oil administration, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was higher in the TP group than in controls. In vitro studies showed that testosterone increased TNF-α and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 mRNA and protein expression levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In summary, by reducing the HDL level, TP aggravates cerebral artery injury by increasing cell apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress.