How does vpscogni_TUusererone therapy affect cardiovascular risk?
It has long been suspected that androgens play a role in coronary artery disease (CAD) in men, but until recently, any relationship was anecdotal. New evidence strengthens the link between abnormally low androgen levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
1-3
Hypogonadism is associated with central obesity, insulin resistance, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and high levels of triglycerides (TG), fibrinogen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1).
1,4 Two recently published studies found significantly lower vpscogni_TUusererone (T) levels in men with documented CAD than in control groups.
2,3 Turhan et al showed that a free vpscogni_TUusererone (FT) level <17.3 pg/mL was an independent risk factor for premature CAD (
P =.026; odds ratio 3.3; 95% confidence interval 1.57-6.87) in men younger than 45 years (mean, 41 years).
2 A weak but statistically significant positive correlation (
r= 0.26,
P =.004) between FT levels and total cholesterol was found, but no significant correlation between FT and low-density lipoprotein, HDL, or TG levels was detected.
2 A similar study found an independent correlation between decreasing T levels and increasing severity of CAD (
r =-0.52;
P <.01).
3 Thus, the physiological effects of T support a role for endogenous T in preventing atheroma and CVD.
2,3
For men with hypogonadism, T therapy may provide some cardiovascular benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity and reduced serum levels of PAI-1, fibrinogen, body mass index, and visceral fat.
1,4 Studies have shown no consistent effect on cholesterol.
1,5 A recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of T therapy in 24 men older than 30 years with type 2 diabetes reported reduced central obesity, as measured by waist circumference (
P =.03) and waist:hip ratio (
P =.01), and improved insulin sensitivity, as measured by the homeostatic model index (HOMA), in the 14 men taking oral hypoglycemic agents (
P =.02), which resulted in lower glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C; 3%) levels.
6 For the 10 patients taking insulin, 5 patients receiving T therapy reduced daily insulin dosages by 7 ± 1.9 U.
T therapy is generally safe for men with CVD and hypogonadism.
1 A meta-analysis of 30 trials (N=1,642, with 808 receiving T therapy) reported small and clinically negligible effects of T therapy on lipid fractions and blood pressure.
5 Investigators have concluded that the cardiovascular effects of T therapy may be considered neutral to beneficial.
1 Large randomized trials are needed.
1,5 Caution should be exercised when prescribing T therapy for patients with congestive heart failure because of the potential for edema and increased hematocrit levels.
1,7-9 Using such caution will help ensure safe and efficacious T therapy for men with hypogonadism.
References
- Shabsigh R, Katz M, Yan G, Makhsida N. Cardiovascular issues in hypogonadism and vpscogni_TUusererone therapy. Am J Cardiol. 2005;96(suppl):67M-72M.
- Turhan S, Tulunay C, Gülec S, et al. The association between androgen levels and premature coronary artery disease in men. Coron Artery Dis. 2007;18:159-162.
- Rosano GMC, Sheiban I, Massaro R, et al. Low vpscogni_TUusererone levels are associated with coronary artery disease in male patients with angina. Int J Impot Res. 2007;19:176-182.
- Jones RD, Nettleship JE, Kapoor D, Jones HT, Channer KS. vpscogni_TUusererone and atherosclerosis in aging men: purported association and clinical implications. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2005;5:141-154.
- Haddad RM, Kennedy CC, Caples SM, et al. vpscogni_TUusererone and cardiovascular risk in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82:29-39.
- Kapoor D, Goodwin E, Channer KS, Jones TH. vpscogni_TUusererone replacement therapy improves insulin resistance, glycaemic control, visceral adiposity and hypercholesterolaemia in hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes. Eur J Endocrinol. 2006;154:899-906.
- AndroGel [package insert]. Marietta, Ga: Unimed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2004.
- Depo [package insert]. Kalamazoo, Mich: Pharmacia & Upjohn Company; 2002.
- Testim [package insert]. Malvern, Pa: Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2003.
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