Somatic and psychological effects of low-dose aromatase inhibition in men with obesity-related hypogonadotropic hypotestosteronemia.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Reduced testosterone levels are frequently observed in obese men. Increased aromatase activity may be an etiological factor.

OBJECTIVE:

In this study, we evaluate the clinical effects of aromatase inhibition in obesity-related hypogonadotropic hypotestosteronemia (OrHH).

METHODS:

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-month trial in 42 obese men with a BMI >35 kg/m(2), and a serum total testosterone <10 nmol/l. All patients started on one tablet of 2.5 mg/week, with subsequent dose escalation every month until a serum total testosterone of 20 nmol/l was reached.

ENDPOINTS:

Psychological function, body composition, exercise capacity, and glucose, lipid, and bone metabolism.

RESULTS:

Thirty-nine patients completed the study according to protocol. Letrozole decreased serum estradiol from 119.1±10.1 to 59.2±6.1 pmol/l (P<0.001), and increased serum LH from 3.3±0.3 to 8.8±0.9 U/l (P<0.0001) and serum total testosterone from 8.6±0.7 to 21.5±1.3 nmol/l (P<0.0001). Significant effects on the predefined endpoints were not observed.

CONCLUSION:

Despite a marked rise in serum testosterone, low-dose aromatase inhibition had no somatic or psychological effects in men with OrHH.

• Authors: Sandra Loves, Jos de Jong, Adriaan van Sorge, Darryl Telting, Cees J Tack, Ad Hermus, Klaas Westerterp, Hans de Boer
• Journal: European journal of endocrinology (Eur J Endocrinol) Vol. 169 Issue 5 Pg. 705-14 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1479-683X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23949882 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Androgens
• Aromatase Inhibitors
• Blood Glucose
• Hormones
• Nitriles
• Triazoles
• Testosterone
• Estradiol
• Letrozole
• Luteinizing Hormone

Topics

• Adult
• Androgens (blood)
• Aromatase Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Blood Glucose (metabolism)
• Body Composition (drug effects)
• Body Mass Index
• Bone Density (drug effects)
• Double-Blind Method
• Energy Intake
• Estradiol (blood)
• Exercise Tolerance (drug effects, physiology)
• Hormones (blood)
• Humans
• Hypogonadism (blood, complications, psychology)
• Letrozole
• Lipid Metabolism (drug effects)
• Luteinizing Hormone (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Nitriles (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Obesity, Morbid (blood, complications, psychology)
• Psychometrics
• Testosterone (blood, deficiency)
• Triazoles (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)