Effect of transdermal testosterone treatment on serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in men more than 65 years of age.

PURPOSE: Because the effects of androgen replacement on lipoprotein levels are uncertain, we sought to determine the effect of transdermal testosterone treatment on serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in elderly men. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eight healthy men more than 65 years of age who had serum testosterone concentrations >1 SD below the mean for young men were randomly assigned to receive either testosterone (54 men; 6 mg/day) or placebo (54 men) transdermally in a double-blind fashion for 36 months. Serum concentrations of lipids and apolipoproteins were measured, and cardiovascular events recorded. RESULTS: Serum total cholesterol concentrations decreased in both the testosterone-treated men and placebo-treated men, but the 3-year mean (+/- SD) decreases in the two groups (testosterone treated, -17 +/- 29 mg/dL; placebo treated, -12 +/- 38 mg/dL) were not significantly different from each other (P = 0.4). Similarly, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels decreased in both treatment groups, but the decreases in the two groups (testosterone treated, -16 +/- 24 mg/dL; placebo treated, -16 +/- 33 mg/dL) were similar (P = 1.0). Levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoproteins A-I and B did not change. Lipoprotein(a) levels increased in both groups by similar amounts (testosterone treated, 3 +/- 9 mg/dL; placebo treated, 4 +/- 6 mg/dL; P = 1.0). The number of cardiovascular events was small and did not differ significantly between the testosterone-treated men (9 events) and the placebo-treated men (5 events) during the 3-year study (relative risk = 1.8; 95% confidence interval: 0.7 to 5.0). CONCLUSIONS: As compared with placebo, transdermal testosterone treatment of healthy elderly men for 3 years did not affect any of the lipid or apolipoprotein parameters that we measured. The effect of testosterone treatment on cardiovascular events was unclear, because the number of events was small.

Effects of testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men.

Treatment of hypogonadal men with testosterone has been shown to ameliorate the effects of testosterone deficiency on bone, muscle, erythropoiesis, and the prostate. Most previous studies, however, have employed somewhat pharmacological doses of testosterone esters, which could result in exaggerated effects, and/or have been of relatively short duration or employed previously treated men, which could result in dampened effects. The goal of this study was to determine the magnitude and time course of the effects of physiological testosterone replacement for 3 yr on bone density, muscle mass and strength, erythropoiesis, prostate volume, energy, sexual function, and lipids in previously untreated hypogonadal men. We selected 18 men who were hypogonadal (mean serum testosterone +/- SD, 78 +/- 77 ng/dL; 2.7 +/- 2.7 nmol/L) due to organic disease and had never previously been treated for hypogonadism. We treated them with testosterone transdermally for 3 yr. Sixteen men completed 12 months of the protocol, and 14 men completed 36 months. The mean serum testosterone concentration reached the normal range by 3 months of treatment and remained there for the duration of treatment. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) increased by 7.7 +/- 7.6% (P < 0.001), and that of the femoral trochanter increased by 4.0 +/- 5.4% (P = 0.02); both reached maximum values by 24 months. Fat-free mass increased 3.1 kg (P = 0.004), and fat-free mass of the arms and legs individually increased, principally within the first 6 months. The decrease in fat mass was not statistically significant. Strength of knee flexion and extension did not change. Hematocrit increased dramatically, from mildly anemic (38.0 +/- 3.0%) to midnormal (43.1 +/- 4.0%; P = 0.002) within 3 months, and remained at that level for the duration of treatment. Prostate volume also increased dramatically, from subnormal (12.0 +/- 6.0 mL) before treatment to normal (22.4 +/- 8.4 mL; P = 0.004), principally during the first 6 months. Self-reported sense of energy (49 +/- 19% to 66 +/- 24%; P = 0.01) and sexual function (24 +/- 20% to 66 +/- 24%; P < 0.001) also increased, principally within the first 3 months. Lipids did not change. We conclude from this study that replacing testosterone in hypogonadal men increases bone mineral density of the spine and hip, fat-free mass, prostate volume, erythropoiesis, energy, and sexual function. The full effect of testosterone on bone mineral density took 24 months, but the full effects on the other tissues took only 3-6 months. These results provide the basis for monitoring the magnitude and the time course of the effects of testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men.

Effect of testosterone treatment on body composition and muscle strength in men over 65 years of age.

As men age, serum testosterone concentrations decrease, the percentage of body mass that is fat increases, the percentage of lean body mass decreases, and muscle strength decreases. Because these changes are similar to those that occur in hypogonadal men, we hypothesized that increasing the serum testosterone concentration of men over 65 yr of age to that in young men would decrease their fat mass, increase their lean mass, and increase their muscle strength. We randomized 108 men over 65 yr of age to wear either a testosterone patch or a placebo patch in a double blind study for 36 months. We measured body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and muscle strength by dynamometer before and during treatment. Ninety-six men completed the entire 36-month protocol. Fat mass decreased (-3.0+/-0.5 kg) in the testosterone-treated men during the 36 months of treatment, which was significantly different (P = 0.001) from the decrease (-0.7+/-0.5 kg) in the placebo-treated men. Lean mass increased (1.9+/-0.3 kg) in the testosterone-treated men, which was significantly different (P < 0.001) from that (0.2+/-0.2 kg) in the placebo-treated men. The decrease in fat mass in the testosterone-treated men was principally in the arms (-0.7+/-0.1 kg; P < 0.001 compared to the placebo group) and legs (-1.1+/-0.2 kg; P < 0.001), and the increase in lean mass was principally in the trunk (1.9+/-0.3 kg; P < 0.001). The change in strength of knee extension and flexion at 60 degrees and 180 degrees angular velocity during treatment, however, was not significantly different between the two groups. We conclude that increasing the serum testosterone concentrations of normal men over 65 yr of age to the midnormal range for young men decreased fat mass, principally in the arms and legs, and increased lean mass, principally in the trunk, but did not increase the strength of knee extension and flexion, as measured by dynamometer.

Effect of testosterone treatment on bone mineral density in men over 65 years of age.

As men age, their serum testosterone concentrations decrease, as do their bone densities. Because bone density is also low in hypogonadal men, we hypothesized that increasing the serum testosterone concentrations of men over 65 yr to those found in young men would increase their bone densities. We randomized 108 men over 65 yr of age to wear either a testosterone patch or a placebo patch double blindly for 36 months. We measured bone mineral density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry before and during treatment. Ninety-six men completed the entire 36-month protocol. The mean serum testosterone concentration in the men treated with testosterone increased from 367 +/- 79 ng/dL (+/-SD; 12.7 +/- 2.7 nmol/L) before treatment to 625 +/- 249 ng/dL (21.7 +/- 8.6 nmol/L; P < 0.001) at 6 months of treatment and remained at that level for the duration of the study. The mean bone mineral density of the lumbar spine increased (P < 0.001) in both the placebo-treated (2.5 +/- 0.6%) and testosterone-treated (4.2 +/- 0.8%) groups, but the mean changes did not differ between the groups. Linear regression analysis, however, demonstrated that the lower the pretreatment serum testosterone concentration, the greater the effect of testosterone treatment on lumbar spine bone density from 0-36 months (P = 0.02). This analysis showed a minimal effect (0.9 +/- 1.0%) of testosterone treatment on bone mineral density for a pretreatment serum testosterone concentration of 400 ng/dL (13.9 nmol/L), but an increase of 5.9 +/- 2.2% for a pretreatment testosterone concentration of 200 ng/dL (6.9 nmol/L). Increasing the serum testosterone concentrations of normal men over 65 yr of age to the midnormal range for young men did not increase lumbar spine bone density overall, but did increase it in those men with low pretreatment serum testosterone concentrations.

Effects of SK&F 85174, a DA-1/DA-2 receptor agonist, on pre- and postganglionic sympathetic neurotransmission to the heart.

We have performed experiments to determine the effects of SK&F 85174, a mixed DA-1/DA-2 receptor agonist, on the tachycardia elicited during pre- and postganglionic stellate stimulation in anesthetized dogs in order to identify a possible action of this compound on the stellate ganglia. SK&F 85174 produced hypotension and caused significant impairment of positive chronotropic responses elicited during pre- and postganglionic stellate stimulation. Pharmacological analysis of SK&F 85174-induced inhibition of cardiac sympathetic function with selective DA-1 and DA-2 receptor antagonists revealed that prior treatment with either S-sulpiride or domperidone (DA-2 receptor antagonists) significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of SK&F 85174 on responses to pre- and postganglionic stellate stimulation. R-sulpiride (DA-1 receptor antagonist) failed to antagonize SK&F 85174-induced inhibition of tachycardia elicited during preganglionic stellate stimulation. Pretreatment with SCH 23390 (DA-1 receptor antagonist) did not modify the inhibitory effect of SK&F 85174 on responses to postganglionic nerve stimulation. However, SCH 23390 was most effective in antagonizing the hypotensive effect of SK&F 85174. These results show that SK&F 85174 inhibits sympathetic neurotransmission to the heart by activating presynaptic and possibly ganglionic DA-2 receptors, whereas the hypotension produced by SK&F 85174 results predominantly from the activation of the vascular DA-1 receptors. SK&F 85174 does not seem to exert any effect on the ganglionic DA receptors which are reported to be activated by the selective DA-1 receptor agonist, fenoldopam.

Cardiovascular effects of and interaction between calcium blocking drugs and anesthetics in chronically instrumented dogs. VI. Verapamil and fentanyl-pancuronium.

To assess the interaction between verapamil and fentanyl-pancuronium, dogs were chronically instrumented to measure heart rate; PR interval; aortic, left ventricular, and left atrial pressures; and coronary, carotid, and renal blood flows. The effect of fentanyl citrate infusion on single-dose verapamil pharmacokinetics was examined in six animals. The effects of verapamil infusion (3 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 and 6 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) were examined in the conscious state and during fentanyl infusion plus pancuronium on two separate occasions in nine dogs. In addition, the effects of fentanyl citrate (500 micrograms.kg-1 followed by 1.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) were examined over 1 h of infusion. Fentanyl infusion did not affect single-dose verapamil pharmacokinetics. In the conscious animals, verapamil increased heart rate and PR interval, and slightly decreased LV dP/dt. Fentanyl combined with pancuronium increased mean arterial pressure and LV dP/dt. During fentanyl infusion, verapamil decreased mean arterial pressure and LV dP/dt, increased PR interval, and did not change heart rate. The hemodynamic effects of fentanyl infusion were steady over 1 h. In contrast to the inhalational anesthetics, which alter verapamil pharmacokinetics and have mainly additive effects with verapamil on left ventricular contractility, cardiac conduction, and regional blood flows, fentanyl-pancuronium had no effect on verapamil pharmacokinetics and minimal effect on verapamil pharmacodynamics in healthy dogs.

Different dopamine receptor subtypes mediate the neurogenic vasodilation produced by fenoldopam and SK & F 85174 in the dog hindlimb.

The present study was performed to examine the effects of the mixed DA-1/DA-2 receptor agonist. SK & F 85174, on hindlimb vascular resistance and identify the DA receptor subtypes involved in the neurogenic hindlimb vasodilation produced by this compound. Bilateral hindlimb perfusion at controlled flow rates was carried out in anesthetized dogs and one hindlimb was surgically denervated whereas the other limb was kept neurally intact. Intravenous administration of SK & F 85174 and fenoldopam, a DA-1 receptor agonist, produced decreases in mean blood pressure and in the perfusion pressure in the innervated limb. Perfusion pressure in the denervated limb was not altered by fenoldopam and was increased by SK & F 85174. The DA-2 receptor antagonist, S-sulpiride, inhibited the neurogenic vasodilation produced by SK & F 85174 but not that produced by fenoldopam. The DA-1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, did not alter the hindlimb vasodilatory effects of either SK & F 85174 or fenoldopam in these animals, but it antagonized the hypotensive responses to both of these agents. Intra-aortic administration of SK & F 85174 and fenoldopam also resulted in neurogenic hindlimb vasodilation with the maximum response to fenoldopam occurring significantly faster than SK & F 85174 (2.5 +/- 0.16 vs. 9.8 +/- 1.2 s). S-Sulpiride antagonized the hindlimb vasodilation produced by SK & F 85174 but not by fenoldopam. R-Sulpiride antagonized the hindlimb vasodilatory effect of fenoldopam.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions between lidocaine and verapamil.

Lidocaine (3 mg/kg i.v.) injected during steady-state verapamil infusions (3 micrograms/kg i.v.) induced slight and transient hemodynamic changes in nine conscious dogs. Systemic vascular resistance and left ventricular dP/dt decreased by 16% from 41 +/- 4 mm Hg/liter/min and by 20% from 2876 +/- 137 mm Hg/sec, respectively, whereas heart rate and cardiac output increased by 18% from 100 +/- 5 beats/min and by 17% from 2.5 +/- 0.2 liters/min, respectively. Simultaneously, lidocaine induced a transient but more pronounced decrease in verapamil plasma concentration of 48% from 60 +/- 3 ng/ml. This pharmacokinetic interaction was not the result of a lidocaine-induced decrease in the fraction of verapamil bound to plasma protein because in vitro lidocaine failed to displace verapamil from its protein binding site. Moreover, an increase in verapamil total clearance was not the only mechanism because steady-state lidocaine (6 mg/kg over 5 min followed by 60 micrograms/kg/min) in the presence of steady-state verapamil (200 micrograms/kg over 3 min followed by 3 micrograms/kg/min) also resulted in a transient decrease in verapamil plasma concentration from 59 +/- 9 to 23 +/- 2 ng/ml in six conscious dogs. Although verapamil did not affect lidocaine pharmacokinetics, in the presence of the steady-state lidocaine we recorded an increase in verapamil initial volume of distribution of 44% from 40 +/- 4 liters, and intercompartmental clearance increased by 88% from 101 +/- 20 liters/hr, combined with an increase in verapamil total clearance of 47% from 54 +/- 6 liters/hr (n = 6).

Cardiovascular effects of and interaction between calcium blocking drugs and anesthetics in chronically instrumented dogs. V. Role of pharmacokinetics and the autonomic nervous system in the interactions between verapamil and inhalational anesthetics.

To assess the role of both pharmacokinetics and the autonomic nervous system in the interaction between inhalational anesthetics and verapamil, dogs were chronically instrumented to measure heart rate, PR interval, dP/dt, cardiac output, and aortic blood pressure. In a first group of seven dogs, studied awake and during halothane (1.2%), enflurane (2.5%), and isoflurane anesthesia (1.6%), verapamil was infused for 30 min in doses calculated to obtain similar plasma concentrations (83 +/- 10, 82 +/- 6, 81 +/- 10, and 77 +/- 9 ng.ml-1, respectively). For the latter purpose, the infusion dose was 3 and 2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 awake and during anesthesia, respectively, preceded by a loading dose of 200, 150, and 100 micrograms.kg-1, awake, during isoflurane, and halothane and enflurane, respectively. In awake dogs, verapamil induced an increase in heart rate (24 +/- 5 bpm) and PR interval (35 +/- 9 msec) and a decrease in mean arterial pressure (-5 +/- 2 mmHg) and dP/dt (-494 +/- 116 mmHg/s). Although plasma concentrations were similar in awake and in anesthetized dogs, the only statistically significant changes induced by verapamil were an increase in heart rate and a decrease in dP/dt during halothane and enflurane, while left atrial pressure increased only with enflurane. In a second group of six dogs, verapamil pharmacokinetics were determined in the presence and absence of a ganglionic blocking drug (chlorisondamine, 2 mg.kg-1 iv). Blockade of ganglionic transmission resulted in a decrease in both initial volume of distribution and total clearance of verapamil--changes similar to those previously reported with inhalational anesthetics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiovascular effects of and interaction between calcium blocking drugs and anesthetics in chronically instrumented dogs. IV. Chronically administered oral verapamil and halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane.

Dogs were chronically instrumented to measure aortic and left atrial blood pressures, left ventricular maximal rate of tension development (dP/dt), cardiac output, and carotid, coronary and renal blood flows. Measurements were taken with the animals awake and during steady-state low and high concentrations of halothane (1.2%, 2.4%), enflurane (2.4%, 4.0%), and isoflurane (1.6%, 3.0%) with and without at least 2 weeks of oral verapamil, 120 mg, three times per day. Plasma verapamil levels varied widely, with means of 500-700 ng X ml-1 in awake animals and lower (300-400 ng X ml-1) at the time of hemodynamic measurements during anesthesia. Chronic oral verapamil in awake dogs produced predominantly tachycardia. The hemodynamic effects of low-dose halothane and isoflurane before and after oral verapamil were unchanged except for decreased renal blood flow after oral verapamil and no coronary vasodilation nor tachycardia. However, left atrial pressure was increased and cardiac output and coronary blood flow were decreased by low concentrations of enflurane with oral verapamil compared to without. The combination of oral verapamil with low (clinical) doses of enflurane was more depressant to the cardiovascular system of healthy dogs than was the combination of verapamil and halothane or isoflurane.