title: Acute anti-ischemic effect of testosterone in men with coronary artery disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of testosterone on the development of coronary artery disease in men is controversial. The evidence that men have a greater incidence of coronary artery disease than women of a similar age suggests a possible causal role of testosterone. Conversely, recent studies have shown that the hormone improves endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary arteries in men. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acute administration of testosterone on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in men.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After withdrawal of antianginal therapy, 14 men (mean age, 58+/-4 years) with coronary artery disease underwent 3 exercise tests according to the modified Bruce protocol on 3 different days (baseline and either testosterone or placebo given in a random order). The exercise tests were performed 30 minutes after administration of testosterone (2.5 mg IV in 5 minutes) or placebo. All patients showed at least 1-mm ST-segment depression during the baseline exercise test and after placebo, whereas only 10 patients had a positive exercise test after testosterone. Chest pain during exercise was reported by 12 patients during baseline and placebo exercise tests and by 8 patients after testosterone. Compared with placebo, testosterone increased time to 1-mm ST-segment depression (579+/-204 versus 471+/-210 seconds; P<0. 01) and total exercise time (631+/-180 versus 541+/-204 seconds; P<0. 01). Testosterone significantly increased heart rate at the onset of 1-mm ST-segment depression (135+/-12 versus 123+/-14 bpm; P<0.01) and at peak exercise (140+/-12 versus 132+/-12 bpm; P<0.01) and the rate-pressure product at the onset of 1-mm ST-segment depression (24 213+/-3750 versus 21 619+/-3542 mm Hgxbpm; P<0.05) and at peak exercise (26 746+/-3109 versus 22 527+/-5443 mm Hgxbpm; P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term administration of testosterone induces a beneficial effect on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in men with coronary artery disease. This effect may be related to a direct coronary-relaxing effect.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Istituto H. San Raffaele, Roma and Milano, Italy. rosanog@roma.hsr.it
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Rosano
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Leonardo
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Pagnotta
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Pelliccia
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Panina
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Cerquetani
authors: P L
authors: PL
authors: della Monica
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Bonfigli
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Volpe
authors: S L
authors: SL
authors: Chierchia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D013739:Testosterone