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Di Lodovico E, Facondo P, Delbarba A, Pezzaioli LC, Maffezzoni F, Cappelli C, Ferlin A. Testosterone, Hypogonadism, and Heart Failure. Circ Heart Fail 2022; 15:e008755. [PMID: 35392658 DOI: 10.1161/circheartfailure.121.008755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Male hypogonadism is defined as low circulating testosterone level associated with signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency. Although the bidirectional link between hypogonadism and cardiovascular disease has been clarified, the association between testosterone and chronic heart failure (HF) is more controversial. Herein, we critically review published studies relating to testosterone, hypogonadism, and HF and provide practical clinical information on proper diagnosis and treatment of male hypogonadism in patients with HF. In general, published studies are extremely heterogeneous, frequently have not adhered to hypogonadism guidelines, and suffer from many intrinsic methodological inaccuracies; therefore, data provide only low-quality evidence. Nevertheless, by selecting the few methodologically robust studies, we show the prevalence of testosterone deficiency (30%-50%) and symptomatic hypogonadism (15%) in men with HF is significant. Low testosterone correlates with HF severity, New York Heart Association class, exercise functional capacity, and a worse clinical prognosis and mortality. Interventional studies on testosterone treatment in men with HF are inconclusive but do suggest beneficial effects on exercise capacity, New York Heart Association class, metabolic health, and cardiac prognosis. We suggest that clinicians should measure testosterone levels in men with HF who have symptoms of a testosterone deficiency and conditions that predispose to hypogonadism, such as obesity and diabetes. These patients-if diagnosed as hypogonadal-may benefit from the short- and long-term effects of testosterone replacement therapy, which include improvements in both cardiac prognosis and systemic outcomes. Further collaborative studies involving both cardiologists and endocrinologists are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Di Lodovico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy (E.D.L., P.F., L.C.P., C.C., A.F.)
| | - Paolo Facondo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy (E.D.L., P.F., L.C.P., C.C., A.F.)
| | - Andrea Delbarba
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy (A.D., F.M., C.C., A.F.)
| | - Letizia Chiara Pezzaioli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy (E.D.L., P.F., L.C.P., C.C., A.F.)
| | - Filippo Maffezzoni
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy (A.D., F.M., C.C., A.F.)
| | - Carlo Cappelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy (E.D.L., P.F., L.C.P., C.C., A.F.).,Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy (A.D., F.M., C.C., A.F.)
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy (E.D.L., P.F., L.C.P., C.C., A.F.).,Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy (A.D., F.M., C.C., A.F.).,Now with Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Italy (A.F.)
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Gonçalves L, de Souza RR, Maifrino LBM, Caperuto ÉC, Carbone PO, Rodrigues B, Gama EF. Resistance exercise and testosterone treatment alters the proportion of numerical density of capillaries of the left ventricle of aging Wistar rats. Aging Male 2014; 17:243-7. [PMID: 25093669 DOI: 10.3109/13685538.2014.919252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Changes in the heart compartments that leads to pathological cardiac hypertrophy can be related to testosterone reduction in aging males since heart cells are susceptible to androgens. Resistance exercise delays the changes of aging. AIM This study aimed to analyze alterations of the left ventricle of aged rats subjected to resistance exercise with administration of testosterone. METHODS Wistar rats were divided into five groups: C Group (control), S Group (sedentary), ST Group (sedentary treated with testosterone), T Group (trained) and TT Group (trained and treated with testosterone), strength training protocol and testosterone treatment were 16 weeks long. All groups were sacrificed at 16 months except for C group, sacrificed at 13 months. RESULTS There was no change in the weight of the heart or the left ventricle between the groups. ST group showed increase in Nv [cap] density of capillaries and collagen, with no differences in interstitial space. Both trained groups (T and TT) showed increase in the numerical density of capillaries (Nv [cap]) and in the interstitial space, with no changes in collagen. CONCLUSION Resistance exercise combined with testosterone triggered a response of compensatory adjustment in the increase of Nv [cap], collagen and interstitial space, increasing perfusion and nutrition to the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Gonçalves
- Physical Education Department, São Judas Tadeu University , São Paulo , Brazil
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Systematic Literature Review of the Epidemiology of Nongenetic Forms of Hypogonadism in Adult Males. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1155/2014/190347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This study summarizes the literature on the prevalence, incidence, and proportion of patients receiving treatment for male hypogonadism and a systematic literature search was performed for articles published in the last 20 years. Of the 97 studies identified, 96 examined the prevalence, 2 examined the incidence, and 4 examined the proportion of males with hypogonadism patients receiving treatment. Based on studies conducted in Europe and USA, the prevalence of hypogonadism in the general population ranged from 2.1% to 12.8% of middle-aged to older men, with an estimated incidence of 12 new cases per 1,000 person-years. Prevalence was higher among patients with comorbid conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Approximately 10–12% of men with hypogonadism were receiving testosterone treatment. This literature review suggests that there is potentially a significant burden of hypogonadism in the general population. Burden seems to increase with age and in the presence of certain disease conditions. Data suggests that many hypogonadal men who may benefit from testosterone replacement are not receiving treatment. This may be the result of underdiagnosis of the disease, lack of awareness by patients or physicians, irregularities surrounding the diagnostic criteria, and deficiency of long-term safety studies.
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Su JJ, Park SK, Hsieh TM. The Effect of Testosterone on Cardiovascular Disease. Am J Mens Health 2014; 8:470-91. [DOI: 10.1177/1557988314522642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Testosterone is the principal male sex hormone and plays an important role in men’s health and well-being. Historically, testosterone was believed to adversely affect cardiovascular function. However, contemporary literature has refuted this traditional thinking; testosterone has been suggested to have a protective effect on cardiovascular function through its effects on the vascular system. Data from modern research indicate that hypogonadism is closely related to the development of various cardiovascular risk factors, including hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. Several studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of testosterone supplementation therapy on reversing symptoms of hypogonadism and improving cardiovascular disease risk profiles. In this review, we perform a critical analysis on the association between testosterone and cardiovascular disease.
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Liao CH, Wu YN, Lin FY, Tsai WK, Liu SP, Chiang HS. Testosterone replacement therapy can increase circulating endothelial progenitor cell number in men with late onset hypogonadism. Andrology 2013; 1:563-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2013.00086.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - F.-Y. Lin
- School of Medicine; College of Medicine; Taipei Medical University; Taipei; Taiwan
| | - W.-K. Tsai
- Department of Urology; Mackay Memorial Hospital; Taipei; Taiwan
| | - S.-P. Liu
- Department of Urology; National Taiwan University Hospital; Taipei; Taiwan
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