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[Effect of dihydrotestosterone treatment on exercise induced ischemia in men with stable ischemic heart disease]
R Palusiński1, W Barud, A Biłan
1I Katedry i Kliniki Chorób Wewnetrznych AM w Lublinie.
Insights
Transdermal dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment improved exercise capacity in men with coronary artery disease (CAD). This 12-week study showed DHT reduced exercise-induced ischemia without side effects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Low endogenous testosterone (T) correlates with arteriosclerosis risk factors and coronary artery disease (CAD) extent in men.
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a non-aromatizable androgen, may offer more favorable hormonal profile changes than T.
- Transdermal androgen administration can maintain stable levels, independent of liver function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a 12-week transdermal DHT treatment in reducing exercise-induced ischemia in males with stable CAD.
- To assess the safety and side effects of transdermal DHT in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving male patients with stable CAD and low morning total T concentrations.
- Symptom-limited treadmill stress testing was performed before and after the 12-week treatment period.
- Preliminary results from ten participants are presented.
Main Results:
- Chronic transdermal DHT administration significantly increased total exercise time.
- Time to onset of angina and time to 1 mm ST depression were significantly prolonged with DHT treatment.
- No adverse side effects were reported during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Transdermal DHT treatment appears effective in decreasing exercise-induced ischemia in men with CAD.
- Observed changes in heart rate and blood pressure suggest a potential direct coronary-relaxing effect of DHT.
- Results align with previous findings on testosterone's effects and support DHT as a therapeutic option for CAD patients with low T.
Abstract:
Many studies report the negative correlation between the endogenous testosterone (T) level and majority of risk factors for arteriosclerosis, as well as the presence and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in men. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as a non-aromatizable androgen produces more favourable changes in the hormone profile than T. A constant level of androgens, independent on liver function, may be achieved by their transdermal administration. The aim of our study was to determine in a double-blind placebo study whether a 12-week treatment with transdermal DHT can decrease exercise-induced ischaemia in males with CAD. All patients underwent symptom-limited treadmill stress testing at the beginning of the study and after DHT treatment. The selected preliminary results are presented in this paper. Until now the study group has comprised ten men with stable CAD and decreased morning total T concentration. No side effects of treatment were noted during the study. Chronic DHT administration increased significantly: total exercise time, time to the onset of angina and time to 1 mm ST depression. Our results are consistent with the previous publications investigating T effects. The changes of heart rate and systolic blood pressure indicate rather direct coronary-relaxing effect of DHT than peripheral one.
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