The effect of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone on fasting total homocysteine levels in normal men

Elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels are associated with increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. tHcy levels are higher in men than in women, and estrogen replacement therapy may reduce tHcy levels in postmenopausal women. The effect of androgenic hormones on tHcy levels in m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atherosclerosis 1997-04, Vol.130 (1), p.199-202
Main Authors: Zmuda, Joseph M, Bausserman, Linda L, Maceroni, Denise, Thompson, Paul D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aromatase Inhibitors
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Over Studies
Estradiol - blood
Estrogen
Homocysteine
Homocysteine - blood
Hormones. Endocrine system
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Men
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Testolactone - pharmacology
Testosterone
Testosterone - administration & dosage
Testosterone - analogs & derivatives
Testosterone - blood
Testosterone - pharmacology
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Summary:Elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels are associated with increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. tHcy levels are higher in men than in women, and estrogen replacement therapy may reduce tHcy levels in postmenopausal women. The effect of androgenic hormones on tHcy levels in men has not been examined. The present study determined the effect of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone, with or without its aromatization to estradiol, on fasting tHcy levels in 14 normal male weightlifters aged 19–42 years. Subjects received testosterone enanthate (200 mg/week intramuscularly), the aromatase inhibitor, testolactone (1 g/day orally), or both drugs together in a crossover design. Each treatment lasted 3 weeks and each treatment was separated by a 4-week washout. Both testosterone regimens increased serum testosterone levels, whereas estradiol increased only during testosterone alone. Mean tHcy levels were not significantly altered when testosterone was given alone or together with testolactone. Testolactone did not significantly influence tHcy levels. We conclude that short-term, high-dose testosterone administration does not affect fasting tHcy levels in normal men.
ISSN:0021-9150
1879-1484
DOI:10.1016/S0021-9150(96)06057-1