Sex steroids affect triglyceride handling, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and insulin sensitivity: a 1-week randomized clinical trial in healthy young men.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate metabolic effects of sex steroids in nonfasting and fasting conditions, independent from changes in body composition.


METHODS
A randomized clinical trial was performed to create contrasting sex steroid levels in healthy young men: by letrozole (aromatase inhibitor) to lower estradiol (E(2)) and increase testosterone (group T, n = 10) versus letrozole plus E(2) patches to lower T and raise E(2) (group E, n = 10). Mixed meals and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps were performed before and after a 1-week treatment period.


RESULTS
Following intervention, the postprandial triglyceride response displayed a diverging response with a decline in group T and an increase in group E; the postprandial glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) response increased in group T. Insulin sensitivity increased in group T but remained unaltered in group E.


CONCLUSIONS
In healthy young men, short-term changes in sex steroids affect postprandial triglyceride and GIP response and insulin sensitivity.
Lapauw
Bruno
B
Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Ouwens
Margriet
M
't Hart
Leen M
LM
Wuyts
Birgitte
B
Holst
Jens J
JJ
T'Sjoen
Guy
G
Kaufman
Jean-Marc
JM
Ruige
Johannes B
JB
D000328:Adult; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005749:Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D000077289:Letrozole; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014230:Triazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D014280:Triglycerides; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005749:Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; D000077289:Letrozole