Official Title: “Testosterone and Lipolysis, Insulin Sensitivity and Protein Metabolism”

Testosterone(T) has known effects on many organ systems, although many of its metabolic actions are unrevealed. T is an anabolic hormone stimulating protein synthesis but this effect has barely been investigated in controlled studies. It also has lipolytic actions influencing body composition, but little is known of its regional impact on fat tissue. T affects insulin sensitivity. There is an increased incidence of hypogonadism in type 2 diabetes, and among patients with hypogonadism there is an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes. The actions of testosterone on glucose metabolism are unknown.

The purpose of this study is therefore to:

Investigate the lipolytic effect of testosterone on muscle and fat tissue. To gain insight in the intracellular mechanisms of testosterone on lipolysis and investigate possible regional differences in lipolysis and changes in body composition.

Finally to investigate the effect of short term experimental hypogonadism and acute testosterone substitution on cytokines, insulin sensitivity and protein metabolism.

The trial is a randomised cross-over study of 4 x 2 days with an interval of 1 month in between. 12 healthy young men will receive GnRH treatment over a 3 month period and examined on 4 occasions with various degrees of T substitution and placebo . The examinations take place at the Research Lab within the Medical Department M.

The investigations are deemed relevant to the understanding of the interrelationship between male hypogonadism and type 2 diabetes. The hypothesis is that T has beneficial effects on carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. The generated knowledge would therefore hopefully improve prophylaxis, screening and early treatment of both group of patients.

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Basic Science, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Crossover Assignment

Study Primary Completion Date: March 2009

Intervention(s) in this Clinical Trial

• Drug: Testosterone (Testogel), GnRH analog (Leuprorelide) and Placebo
  • The trial is single blinded, randomised cross-over study of 4 x 2 days with an interval of 1 month in between. 12 healthy young male participants will receive the GnRH-agonist leuprorelide 7,5 mg s.c. 3 weeks before examination on 3 occasions, and a fourth day without intervention. The four days will include treatment on the examination day, Day 1 with: Placebo (hypogonadism after leuprorelide injection) Testosterone gel 50 mg applicated in the morning at 06.00 am (physiologic substitution - after leuprorelide injection). Testosterone gel 150 mg applicated in the morning at 06.00 am (supra-physiologic substitution - after leuprorelide injection). No treatment.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts in this Clinical Trial

• Experimental: A

Primary Measures

• Testosterone influence on Insulin Senisitivity, Lipolysis and protein metabolism
  • Time Frame: 4-6 month pr patient
    Safety Issue?: No

Secondary Measures

• Testosterone influence on Body composition by DEXA scan, Energy expenditure by indirect Calorimetry and VO2 max test
  • Time Frame: 4-6 month pr patient
    Safety Issue?: No

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male, age 20-35
• Normal biochemical screen and ECG

Exclusion Criteria:

• Heart disease
• BMI>25
• Diabetes
• Antescendent or present cancer
• Vascular disease
• Antescendent or present Hormone Treatment
• Medical treatment with known effects on fat metabolism
• Big X-ray examinations equivalent to, or more than a chest x-ray and all kinds of CT scans until 6 month before the start of the study and during the study.

Gender Eligibility for this Clinical Trial: Male

Minimum Age for this Clinical Trial: 20 Years

Maximum Age for this Clinical Trial: 35 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted for this Clinical Trial?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Lead Sponsor: University of Aarhus

Overall Clinical Trial Officials and Contacts

Jens S Christensen, Professor, DMsc Principal Investigator Medical Department M, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark  

Overall Contact: Christian Host, MD +45 89 49 20 32 christian.host@ki.au.dk

Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on September 05, 2008

Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record. http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00613288

Study ID Number: M-20070046

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00613288

Health Authority: Denmark: Danish Medicines Agency