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Comparative Study
. 2012 Mar;59(3):726-31.
doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.180943. Epub 2012 Jan 23.

Testosterone supplementation in male obese Zucker rats reduces body weight and improves insulin sensitivity but increases blood pressure

Deborah D Davis  1 , Arnaldo Lopez Ruiz, Licy L Yanes, Radu Iliescu, Kuichang Yuan, Mohadetheh Moulana, Lorraine C Racusen, Jane F Reckelhoff
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Testosterone supplementation in male obese Zucker rats reduces body weight and improves insulin sensitivity but increases blood pressure

Deborah D Davis et al. Hypertension. 2012 Mar.

Abstract

Androgen levels are lower in obese men as compared with normal weight individuals. However, there are no safety data regarding the chronic use of androgen supplements in middle-aged men. The present study was undertaken to determine the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of chronic (10 weeks) testosterone treatment in male obese Zucker rats, starting at 22 weeks of age, when testosterone levels were significantly decreased. Testosterone supplements increased plasma levels, 10-fold in both obese Zucker rats and lean Zucker rats. In obese Zucker rats, testosterone supplements reduced body weight, plasma insulin, and cholesterol levels and improved the oral glucose tolerance test. None of these parameters were affected in lean Zucker rats. Mean arterial pressure was significantly increased in obese Zucker rats but not lean Zucker rats. Testosterone supplements increased proteinuria and accelerated renal injury in lean Zucker rats only. Thus, treatment of obese men with chronic testosterone supplements should be done with careful monitoring of blood pressure.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Plasma testosterone levels in testosterone treated OZR (OZR +T) and LZR (LZR +T) and controls (OZR and LZR)
Testosterone supplements were begun at 22 weeks of age and continued for 10 weeks (n=13/grp). *, p< 0.05 compared with LZR control (L); §, p<0.05 compared with untreated rats of same strain; ¶, p<0.05 compared with testosterone treated LZR.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Mean arterial pressure measured 24 hrs per day by telemetry beginning at 31 weeks of age for 5 days
*, p< 0.05 compared with LZR control (L) or LZR + T; §, p<0.05 compared with control OZR (n=6–7/grp).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Urinary protein (Panel A) and albumin (Panel B) excretion at 32 weeks of age after 10 weeks of testosterone or placebo (n=6–7/grp)
*, p< 0.05 compared with LZR control (L); §, p<0.05 compared with untreated rats of same strain; ¶, p<0.05 compared with testosterone treated LZR.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Glomerular sclerosis index in control (LC) and testosterone-treated (LT) LZR (Panel A) and control (OC) and testosterone-treated (OT) OZR (Panel B) at 32 wks of age (n=6–7/grp)
**, p< 0.05 compared with untreated controls.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Perirenal fat and adiposity (fat weight/body weight) in testosterone-treated and control LZR and OZR (n=6–7/grp)
*, p< 0.05 compared with LZR control (L); §, p<0.05 compared with untreated rats of same strain; ¶, p<0.05 compared with testosterone treated LZR.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Plasma leptin, insulin, cholesterol and area under the curve for oral glucose tolerance test in control and testosterone-treated OZR and LZR (n=6–7/grp)
Metabolic parameters were measured in rats at 32 weeks of age after 10 weeks testosterone or placebo. *, p< 0.05 compared with LZR control; §, p<0.05 compared with untreated rats of same strain; ¶, p<0.05 compared with testosterone treated LZR.
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References

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