Effects of treatment with testosterone alone or in combination with estrogen on insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about metabolic effects of testosterone treatment in postmenopausal women. The aim of the study was to compare the treatment effects of testosterone, estrogen, and testosterone plus estrogen on insulin sensitivities, body compositions, and lipid profiles in healthy postmenopausal women.


METHODS
An open, randomized clinical study with parallel group comparison.


METHODS
Women's health clinical research unit at a university hospital.


METHODS
Sixty-three naturally postmenopausal women participated in the study.


METHODS
The participants were randomly assigned to 3 months of treatment with testosterone undecanoate (40 mg every second day), estradiol valerate (2 mg daily), or the combination of both.


METHODS
Insulin sensitivity assessed by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, body composition, and serum lipids.


RESULTS
Insulin-induced glucose disposal was reduced by approximately 20% after treatment with testosterone alone, and after the combined treatment, but not by estrogen alone. Body weight, but not total body fat, increased significantly by about 1 kg in all groups. Lean body mass was significantly increased in the group of combined treatment and tended to be increased by testosterone alone. High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol decreased significantly by testosterone treatment. In contrast, HDL-cholesterol increased, whereas low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and lipoprotein-(a) [Lp(a)] decreased with estradiol treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that 3 months of treatment with testosterone undecanoate in postmenopausal women induces insulin resistance and an adverse serum lipid profile but may increase lean body mass.
Zang
Hong
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. hzang@hotmail.com
Carlström
Kjell
K
Arner
Peter
P
Hirschberg
Angelica Lindén
AL
D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D004338:Drug Combinations; D004967:Estrogens; D007328:Insulin; D013739:Testosterone