title: Testosterone supplementation and body composition: results from a meta-analysis of observational studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The concept of testosterone (T) supplementation (TS) as a new anti-obesity medication in men with testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is emerging. Data from placebo-controlled trials are more conflicting. The aim of this study is to systematically review and meta-analyze available observational and register studies reporting data on body composition in studies on TS in TDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  An extensive MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane search was performed including the following words: "testosterone" and "body composition." All observational studies comparing the effect of TS on body weight and other body composition and metabolic endpoints were considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 824 retrieved articles, 32 were included in the study enrolling 4513 patients (mean age 51.7 ± 6.1 years). TS was associated with a time-dependent reduction in body weight and waist circumference (WC). The estimated weight loss and WC reduction at 24 months were -3.50 [-5.21; -1.80] kg and -6.23 [-7.94; -4.76] cm, respectively. TS was also associated with a significant reduction in fat and with an increase in lean mass as well as with a reduction in fasting glycemia and insulin resistance. In addition, an improvement of lipid profile (reduction in total cholesterol as well as of triglyceride levels and an improvement in HDL cholesterol levels) and in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Present data support the view of a positive effect of TS on body composition and on glucose and lipid metabolism. In addition, a significant effect on body weight loss was observed, which should be confirmed by a specifically designed RCT.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, AziendaUsl Bologna Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.affiliation: Unit of Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, Conversano, Italy.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Giagulli
authors.affiliation: Andrology and Sexual Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maseroli
authors.affiliation: Andrology and Sexual Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vignozzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.|Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aversa
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zitzmann
authors.affiliation: Bayer Pharma, Global Medical Affairs Andrology, Berlin, Germany.|Gulf Medical University School of Medicine, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saad
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Agency, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mannucci
authors.affiliation: Andrology and Sexual Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy. m.maggi@dfc.unifi.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maggi
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Body composition; Hypogonadism; Obesity diabetes; Testosterone; Weight loss