Androgen supplementation during aging: development of a physiologically appropriate protocol.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Primate Physiology
• Aging Research

Background:

• Aging is associated with declining testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels in men.
• There is a need for effective androgen supplementation strategies in older men to restore youthful hormone profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an oral androgen supplementation paradigm in old male rhesus monkeys.
• To assess the efficacy of this paradigm in restoring youthful circulating androgen levels and circadian patterns.

Main Methods:

• Old male rhesus monkeys received oral testosterone and DHEA supplementation for 5 days.
• Serial blood samples were collected hourly over 24 hours to measure hormone levels.
• Assayed hormones included cortisol, DHEAS, T, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrone (E1), and 17β-estradiol (E2).

Main Results:

• Androgen supplementation significantly elevated T levels, with sustained nocturnal elevation of bioactive metabolites DHT, E1, and E2.
• Plasma DHEAS levels increased and exhibited a diurnal pattern similar to young adults.
• Cortisol levels remained unaltered by the supplementation regimen.

Conclusions:

• A non-invasive oral androgen supplementation paradigm effectively restores youthful circulating androgen levels in old male primates.
• This method preserves natural circadian hormone patterns, suggesting a potential for fewer adverse effects.
• The findings support the development of similar strategies for aging men to mitigate age-related hormonal decline.