<p> Men with Type 2 diabetes who have low testosterone levels can benefit significantly from testosterone treatment, says a new study led by an Indian-American doctor.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"This is the first definitive evidence that testosterone is an insulin sensitive and hence a metabolic hormone," said senior author Paresh Dandona from University at Buffalo (UB).<br /><br />The UB researchers found that low testosterone levels were associated with significantly decreased insulin sensitivity.<br /><br />This was demonstrated by a 36 percent decrease in the rate at which glucose is taken up by tissues when patients with low testosterone were administered a set concentration of insulin.<br /><br />"We hypothesised that testosterone may be an anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitising agent since it has been known for some time that testosterone reduces adiposity and increases skeletal muscle," he said.<br /><br />The current study included 94 men with Type 2 diabetes. Prior to being treated, the 44 men in the study with low testosterone levels expressed significantly lower levels of insulin-signalling genes and, thus, diminished insulin sensitivity.<br /><br />These men were randomised to receive a testosterone injection or a placebo every week for 24 weeks.<br /><br />The study found that while there was no change in body weight, testosterone treatment produced a reduction in total body fat of three kgs while increasing muscle mass by the same amount.<br /><br />"Most importantly, we saw a dramatic increase in insulin sensitivity, demonstrated by a 32 percent increase in the uptake of glucose by tissues in response to insulin," Dandona said.<br /><br />At the same time, there was a similar increase in the expression of the major genes that mediate insulin signalling.<br /><br />The study was published online in the journal Diabetes Care.<br /><br /></p>
<p> Men with Type 2 diabetes who have low testosterone levels can benefit significantly from testosterone treatment, says a new study led by an Indian-American doctor.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"This is the first definitive evidence that testosterone is an insulin sensitive and hence a metabolic hormone," said senior author Paresh Dandona from University at Buffalo (UB).<br /><br />The UB researchers found that low testosterone levels were associated with significantly decreased insulin sensitivity.<br /><br />This was demonstrated by a 36 percent decrease in the rate at which glucose is taken up by tissues when patients with low testosterone were administered a set concentration of insulin.<br /><br />"We hypothesised that testosterone may be an anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitising agent since it has been known for some time that testosterone reduces adiposity and increases skeletal muscle," he said.<br /><br />The current study included 94 men with Type 2 diabetes. Prior to being treated, the 44 men in the study with low testosterone levels expressed significantly lower levels of insulin-signalling genes and, thus, diminished insulin sensitivity.<br /><br />These men were randomised to receive a testosterone injection or a placebo every week for 24 weeks.<br /><br />The study found that while there was no change in body weight, testosterone treatment produced a reduction in total body fat of three kgs while increasing muscle mass by the same amount.<br /><br />"Most importantly, we saw a dramatic increase in insulin sensitivity, demonstrated by a 32 percent increase in the uptake of glucose by tissues in response to insulin," Dandona said.<br /><br />At the same time, there was a similar increase in the expression of the major genes that mediate insulin signalling.<br /><br />The study was published online in the journal Diabetes Care.<br /><br /></p>