Testosterone administration to men increases hepatic lipase activity and decreases HDL and LDL size in 3 wk.
Testosterone administration to men is known to decrease high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the subclasses HDL(2) and HDL(3). It also might increase the number of small, dense, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) particles in hypogonadal men. The decrease in HDL-C and in LDL-C size is potentially mediated by hepatic lipase activity, which hydrolyzes lipoprotein phospholipids and triacylglycerol. To determine how HDL-C and LDL-C particles are affected by testosterone administration to eugonadal men, testosterone was administered as a supraphysiological dose (600 mg/wk) for 3 wk to elderly, obese, eugonadal men before elective hip or knee surgery, and lipids were measured by routine methods and by density gradient ultracentrifugation. Hepatic lipase activity increased >60% above baseline levels, and HDL-C, HDL(2), and HDL(3) significantly declined in 3 wk. In addition, the LDL-C peak particle density and the amount of LDL-C significantly increased. Testosterone is therefore a potent stimulator of hepatic lipase activity, decreasing HDL-C, HDL(2), and HDL(3) as well as increasing LDL particle density changes, all associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. kaherbst@cdrewu.edu
Karen L
KL
Herbst
John K
JK
Amory
John D
JD
Brunzell
Howard A
HA
Chansky
William J
WJ
Bremner
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006728:Hormones; D008055:Lipids; D013739:Testosterone; D008049:Lipase