The role of testosterone in the metabolic syndrome: A review

Over the last three decades it has become apparent that testosterone plays a significant role in the maintenance of bone and muscle mass, in erythropoiesis, and in mental functions. But testosterone is also a key player in glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of risk factors predisposing to late onset diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The main components of the syndrome are visceral obesity, glucose intolerance, raised blood pressure and dyslipidaemia (elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and a pro-inflammatory and thrombogenic state. Cross-sectional epidemiological studies have reported a direct correlation between plasma testosterone and insulin sensitivity, and low testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, dramatically illustrated by androgen deprivation in men with prostate carcinoma. Lower total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) predict a higher incidence of the metabolic syndrome. There is now evidence to argue that hypotestosteronaemia should be an element in the definition of the metabolic syndrome. Administration of testosterone to hypogonadal men reverses the unfavorable risk profile for the development of diabetes and atherosclerosis. Testosterone should be regarded as a pivotal hormone for men's health.