Short-Term Effects Of Testosterone Replacement Therapy On Risk Predictors For Arteriosclerosis Among Men With Late-Onset Hypogonadism: A Case-Control Study

Background and objectiveThis study assessed the short-term effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on some risk predictors for arteriosclerosis among men with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH).Materials and methodsA total of 25 patients with LOH who received TRT for 6 months and 21 patients without TRT were enrolled in the present study. Information regarding the following parameters were collected: Aging Males' Symptoms scale, Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), International Prostatic Symptom Score, waist circumference, and some laboratory data, including fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) values, and arteriosclerosis index (AI), at baseline and after 6 months. Patients in the TRT group had received intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate (250 mg) every month for 6 months while those in the control group received no testosterone treatment during this trial.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in any baseline patient characteristics between both groups. After 6 months, the TRT group exhibited significant improvements in SHIM scores (from 10.1 to 13.1; p = 0.00563), hs-CRP values (from 0.157 to 0.103 mg/dL; p = 0.00753), and the AI (from 2.10 to 1.95 mg/dL; p = 0.0429), with a significant decrease in AMS scale (from 44.3 to 41.8; p = 0.0388). The control group displayed no significant changes in all parameters. No patient in the TRT group had additional interventions or medications worsening their urinary symptoms.ConclusionsTRT for 6 months among men with LOH contributed to significant improvements in three predictive factors for arteriosclerosis. Further studies including long-term TRT are expected to demonstrate the preventive effects of testosterone for arteriosclerosis among Japanese men with LOH syndrome.