Key result
A 9-week testosterone supplementation therapy significantly increased the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) from 117 ms to 141 ms in men with metabolic syndrome and testosterone deficiency syndrome.
Why the study?
Does short-term intramuscular testosterone therapy improve heart rate variability in men with metabolic syndrome and testosterone deficiency syndrome?
Does short-term intramuscular testosterone therapy improve heart rate variability in men with metabolic syndrome and testosterone deficiency syndrome?
Short-term testosterone replacement therapy improves heart rate variability in men with metabolic syndrome and testosterone deficiency, suggesting a potential reduction in cardiovascular risk.
May improve HRV with short-term therapy in metabolic syndrome; leaves open outcome benefits pending randomized trials.
INTRODUCTION: Testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is characterized by clinical signs of testosterone deficiency in men with reduced testosterone levels. It leads to endothelial dysfunction, which, apart from erectile dysfunction, accelerates atherosclerosis progression. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of testosterone supplementation in men with metabolic syndrome (MS) and TDS on autonomic balance assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) in 24‑hour Holter monitoring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 80 men divided into 3 groups: with MS and TDS (MS+TDS+, n = 30), with MS and without TDS (MS+TDS-, n = 25), and healthy controls (n = 25). The MS+TDS+ group received intramuscular testosterone therapy (Omnadren 250) for 9 weeks. Holter monitoring was performed in all patients at baseline and at the end of the therapy. RESULTS: Almost all HRV parameters were significantly lower in the MS+TDS+ group compared with controls. Moreover, total power (TP) as well as high- and low‑frequency domains (HF and LF, respectively) were significantly lower in the MS+TDS+ group compared with the MS+TDS- group. There were significant differences in the standard deviation (SD) of normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (SDNN), SDNN index (SDNNI), and SDANN (SD of the averages of NN intervals in all 5‑minute segments) as well as in ultra‑low‑frequency (ULF) domain between the MS+TDS- group and controls. Testosterone supplementation resulted in a statistically significant increase in SDNN, SDANN, TP, LF, ULF, and very‑low‑frequency domain. However, the values did not reach those observed in the control group. The levels of total and free testosterone were not significantly affected by the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A 9‑week testosterone supplementation therapy improves HRV parameters. Although these parameters did not reach the values observed in healthy men, the therapy may reduce cardiovascular risk in men with MS and TDS.
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Poliwczak et al. (2013) studied Metabolic syndrome and testosterone deficiency syndrome (n=80). Testosterone replacement therapy vs. Baseline (pre-treatment) and untreated control groups was evaluated on Standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) (p=0.020). A 9-week testosterone supplementation therapy significantly increased the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) from 117 ms to 141 ms in men with metabolic syndrome and testosterone deficiency syndrome.
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