Rapid changes in plasma androgens during insulin withdrawal in male type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetics

Plasma concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione and dihydrotestosterone were measured in 15 Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetics with (n = 8) and without (n = 7) B-cell function during 12 h of insulin withdrawal and compared with those of 8 normal subjects. Before insulin withdrawal no significant difference was found in androgen concentrations between the diabetic and the normal subjects. The normal diurnal profiles, with highest androgen concentrations in the morning before insulin withdrawal (08:00) and lowest concentrations at 20:00 h were maintained in the diabetics. However, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations were lower in the diabetics after 4 h of insulin withdrawal and remained so throughout the study. The concentrations of androstenedione were not significantly different between diabetics and normal subjects except after 4 h of insulin withdrawal. Despite the patients without B-cell function were more metabolically decompensated from after 4 h of insulin withdrawal compared with patients with B-cell function, no significant differences were found in androgen concentrations between the two groups although a tendency to lower concentrations were seen in the group without B-cell function.