title: Effect of testosterone undecanoate on hematological profiles, blood lipid and viscosity and plasma testosterone level in castrated rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The association between testosterone replacement therapy and cardiovascular risk remains controversial. Blood viscosity is a known individual risk factor for cardiovascular disease mortality. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of the long-acting injectable testosterone undecanoate (TU) on risk factors of cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 24 male New Zealand white rabbits (2.5 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups of 8. Group 1 was used as control. Group 2 was castrated bilaterally and Group 3 was administrated with 6 mg/kg of TU at day 1 and 6 weeks after castration. Whole blood viscosity, total plasma testosterone, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), fibrinogen (FBN), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured at baseline, 6 weeks and 18 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the control group, whole blood viscosity and FBN were significantly increased at 6 and 18 weeks. Castration significantly increased the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C, but decreased Hct and Hb. In the TU injection group, whole blood viscosity was markedly decreased in all share rates, whereas the FBN level was increased. Hb and Hct showed a tendency for higher concentration at 6 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-acting injectable TU provides another reliable treatment option for testosterone replacement therapy. Moreover, the patients may receive additional beneficial effect in lowered whole blood viscosity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, and Institute for Medical Sciences, Chonbuk National University, and Research Institute and CTC for Medical Device of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju; ; Department of Urology, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China;
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Du Geon
authors.initials: du G
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Jong Kwan
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park