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Taken from WWW.pubmed.gov (testosterone studies)
Am J Cardiol. 2005 Dec 26;96(12B):67M-72M. Epub 2005 Dec 19.
Cardiovascular issues in hypogonadism and testosterone therapy.
Shabsigh R,
Katz M,
Yan G,
Makhsida N.
Department of Urology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. rs66@columbia.edu
A systematic literature search was conducted to investigate the cardiovascular issues related to hypogonadism and testosterone
therapy. Vascular cells contain sex steroid hormone receptors. Testosterone can exert effects on the vascular wall, either by itself or through
aromatization as estrogen. Hypogonadism is associated with central obesity; insulin resistance; low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL); high
cholesterol levels; and high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, fibrinogen, and plasminogen activator-1. Some observational studies
show a correlation between low testosterone and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and others show no correlation. Interventional studies do not reveal a
direct long-term relation between testosterone therapy and CVD. Short-term data suggest cardiovascular benefits of testosterone. Testosterone therapy
has beneficial and deleterious effects on cardiovascular risk factors. It improves insulin sensitivity, central obesity, and lowers total cholesterol and LDL.
In some studies, testosterone therapy has an HDL-lowering effect, and in other studies this effect is insignificant. This should not be assumed to be
atherogenic because it might be related to reverse cholesterol transport and effects on the HDL(3) subfraction.
The cardiovascular effects of
testosterone therapy may be neutral to beneficial. There is no contraindication for testosterone therapy in men with CVD and diagnosed
hypogonadism with or without erectile dysfunction. Caution should be exercised regarding occasional increases in hematocrit levels, especially in
patients with congestive heart failure. Conversely, evidence does not support testosterone therapy in aging men for the purpose of cardiovascular
benefit, despite claims to this effect. Further research on the cardiovascular benefits and risks of testosterone is strongly recommended.
PMID: 16387571 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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