The objective of this study was to assess the effects of oral testosterone supplementation therapy on glucose homeostasis, obesity and sexual function in middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes and mild androgen deficiency. Forty-eight middle-aged men, with type 2 diabetes, (visceral) obesity and symptoms of androgen deficiency, were included in this open-label study. Twenty-four subjects received testosterone undecanoate (TU; 120 mg daily, for 3 months); 24 subjects received no treatment. Body composition was analyzed by bio-impedance. Parameters of metabolic control were determined. Symptoms of androgen deficiency and erectile dysfunction were scored by self-administered questionnaires. TU had a positive effect on (visceral) obesity: statistically significant reduction in body weight (2.66%), waist-hip ratio (-3.96%) and body fat (-5.65%); negligible changes were found in the control group. TU significantly improved metabolic control: decrease in blood glucose values and mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (from 10.4 to 8.6%). TU treatment significantly improved symptoms of androgen deficiency (including erectile dysfunction), with virtually no change in the control group. There were no adverse effects on blood pressure or hematological, biochemical and lipid parameters, and no adverse events. Oral TU treatment of type 2 diabetic men with androgen deficiency improves glucose homeostasis and body composition (decrease in visceral obesity), and improves symptoms of androgen deficiency (including erectile dysfunction). In these men, the benefit of testosterone supplementation therapy exceeds the correction of symptoms of androgen deficiency and also includes glucose homeostasis and metabolic control.

The objective of this study was to measure bone mineral density (BMD) in middle-aged men with and without the metabolic syndrome according to the International diabetes federation (IDF) definition from 2005. We studied 80 men (mean age: 51.9 +/- 9.0 y, mean body mass index (BMI): 32.0 +/- 1.7 kg/m2) with and 92 men without the metabolic syndrome (mean age: 52.6 +/- 15.1 y, mean BMI: 24.9 +/- 2.8 kg/m2). Height (cm), weight (kg), waist circumference (cm) and blood pressure were measured. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and blood lipids were determined. BMD at the lumbar spine and total hip was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry on a Hologic QDR 4500 bone densitometer. In men around 59.3% had a waist circumference > 94 cm (abdominal obesity). Among them 58.7% showed abnormal BP values. Around 30.7% had FPG > or = 5.6 mmol/L and 22.7% had low high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and 36.6% had hypertriglyceridemia. In men with the metabolic syndrome, mean lumbar spine BMD was 0.986 +/- 0.210 g/cm2 and total hip BMD - 1.012 +/- 0.209 g/cm2. The corresponding values in men without this syndrome were 0.934 +/- 0.179 g/cm2 and 0.894 +/- 0.189 g/cm2, respectively. The inter-group BMD difference reached statistical significance only at the hip (p = 0.039). Respectively, the prevalence of osteoporosis at the central sites was significantly higher in men without the metabolic syndrome (MS) (13.2 versus 20.8%, p = 0.03). Our data confirmed the trend for higher BMD in the studied men with the metabolic syndrome.

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AbstractWe report a case of a 36-year-old obese man who presented with newly onset diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension. The estimated value of glomerular filtration rate — 203.7 ml/min was associated with the patient being at high risk of developing progressive renal disease. In this case, in order to prevent nephropathy, the preferred therapy was a gradual bodyweight reduction. A low-calorie diet providing an 800 kcal/day deficit was recommended to the patient, as well as an increase in physical activity. After a total weight reduction of 50 kg (33% of initial bodyweight), the patient’s glomerular filtration, body mass index, and blood pressure normalized without any drug therapy. Glucose, blood pressure and lipid target levels can only be simultaneously achieved through body-weight reduction. In the presented case, we show the beneficial effects of bodyweight reduction, and dietary and physical activity changes on high glomerular filtration rate. Bodyweight reduction stops the cascade of events that are caused by glomerular hyperfiltration and the progression toward irreversible renal damage.

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