Testosterone deficiency in male: A risk factor for heart failure - Abstract

Testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) presents several sequences that generally involve different organs such as testis, bone, skeletal muscle, and heart, inducing osteoporosis, strongly reducing muscle mass, facilitating heart insufficiency and decreasing exercise capacity and strength.

Approximately 25% of patients affected by chronic heart failure (CHF) are characterized by plasma Testosterone (T) levels below normal ranges also related to disease progression. In addition, reduction of testosterone concentration may contribute to some specific features of TDS syndrome such as abnormal energy handling, weakness, dyspnoea and cachexia in particular. According to some recent evidence it has emerged that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be able to improve muscle strength and functional pulmonary capacity in CHF men with TDS. This review will place emphasis either on the pathophysiologic role of testosterone deficiency in CHF men or on the effects of testosterone replacement therapy.

Written by:
Giagulli VA, Guastamacchia E, De Pergola G, Iacoviello M, Triggiani V.   Are you the author?
Metabolic Disease and Endocrinology, P.O. Conversano, Via De Amicis, 30 70014 Conversano (Ba) Italy.

Reference: Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2013 Jan 15. Epub ahead of print.


PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23369141

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