title: Testosterone supplementation, glucocorticoid milieu and bone homeostasis in the ageing male.
abstract: Male ageing is entwined with a continuous fall in free testosterone levels, which contributes to the pathogenesis of bone loss. Glucocorticoid excess, either dependent on the ageing process or iatrogenically induced, was found to additionally impair the bone structure and metabolism. Cautious testosterone supplementation in this respect may positively affect the glucocorticoid milieu and bone homeostasis, while testosterone-induced changes in the glucocorticoid output could serve as a determinant of bone-related therapeutic outcome. Namely, bone mineral content/density, the parameters of trabecular bone structure as well as bone strength are enhanced, serum calcitonin levels tend to increase, while serum osteocalcin, serum parathyroid hormone and urinary calcium decrease, all upon testosterone administration to the ageing male. In parallel, testosterone application decreases glucocorticoid secretion in the animal models of male ageing, while clinical data in this field are still inconsistent. Importantly, a physiological link exists between testosterone-induced changes in glucocorticoid levels and the tendency of bone status improvement in the ageing male. We believe that the assessment of circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations together with glucocorticoid levels, reflecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis feedback loop operativeness during testosterone supplementation, represents a well-balanced bone-related therapeutic update.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković', University of Belgrade, Despot Stefan Blvd. 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Vladimir Z
authors.initials: VZ
authors.lastname: Ajdžanović
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković', University of Belgrade, Despot Stefan Blvd. 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Branko R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Filipović
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković', University of Belgrade, Despot Stefan Blvd. 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Branka T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Šošić Jurjević
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković', University of Belgrade, Despot Stefan Blvd. 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Verica Lj
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Milošević
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000097:blood*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: ageing; bone; glucocorticoid; male; testosterone supplementation