23 research outputs found
Efficacy of very low-calorie ketogenic diet with the Pronokal® method in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a 16-week randomized controlled trial
Objective: The aim of this study isto assess the efficacy of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) method vs a Mediterranean low-calorie diet (LCD) in obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women of a reproductive age.Design: Randomized controlled open-label trial was performed in this study. The treatment period was 16 weeks; VLCKD for 8 weeks then LCD for 8 weeks, according to the Pronokal (R) method (experimental group; n = 15) vs Mediterranean LCD for 16 weeks (control group; n = 15). Ovulation monitoring was carried out at baseline and after 16 weeks, while a clinical exam, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), anthropometry, and biochemical analyses were performed at baseline, at week 8, and at week 16.Results: BMI decreased significantly in both groups and to a major extent in the experimental group (-13.7% vs -5.1%, P = 0.0003). Significant differences between the experimental and the control groups were also observed in the reduction of waist circumference (-11.4% vs -2.9%), BIA-measured body fat (-24.0% vs -8.1%), and free testosterone (-30.4% vs -12.6%) after 16 weeks (P = 0.0008, P = 0.0176, and P = 0.0009, respectively). Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance significantly decreased only in the experimental group (P = 0.0238) but without significant differences with respect to the control group (-23% vs -13.2%, P > 0.05). At baseline, 38.5% of participants in the experimental group and 14.3% of participants in the control group had ovulation, which increased to 84.6% (P = 0.031) and 35.7% (P > 0.05) at the end of the study, respectively.Conclusion: In obese PCOS patients, 16 weeks of VLCKD protocol with the Pronokal (R) method was more effective than Mediterranean LCD in reducing total and visceral fat, and in ameliorating hyperandrogenism and ovulatory dysfunction.Significance statements: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial on the use of the VLCKD method in obese PCOS. It demonstrates the superiority of VLCKD with respect to Mediterranean LCD in reducing BMI with an almost selective reduction of fat mass and a unique effect of VLCKD in reducing visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, and in increasing SHBG with a consequent reduction of free testosterone. Interestingly, this study also demonstrates the superiority of the VLCKD protocol in improving ovulation, whose occurrence increased by 46.1% in the group treated by the VLCKD method against a rise of 21.4% in the group treated by Mediterranean LCD. This study extends the therapeutic approach possibilities in obese PCOS women
Efficacy and Safety of an Injectable Combination Hormonal Contraceptive for Men
CONTEXT:
The development of a safe and effective reversible method of male contraception is still an unmet need.
OBJECTIVE:
Evaluation of suppression of spermatogenesis and contraceptive protection by coadministered im injections of progestogen and testosterone.
DESIGN:
Prospective multicentre study.
SETTING:
Ten study centers.
PARTICIPANTS:
Healthy men, aged 18-45 years, and their 18- to 38-year-old female partners, both without known fertility problems.
INTERVENTION:
Intramuscular injections of 200-mg norethisterone enanthate combined with 1000-mg testosterone undecanoate, administered every 8 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES:
Suppression of spermatogenesis by ejaculate analysis, contraceptive protection by pregnancy rate.
RESULTS:
Of the 320 participants, 95.9 of 100 continuing users (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.8-97.9) suppressed to a sperm concentration less than or equal to 1 million/mL within 24 weeks (Kaplan-Meier method). During the efficacy phase of up to 56 weeks, 4 pregnancies occurred among the partners of the 266 male participants, with the rate of 1.57 per 100 continuing users (95% CI, 0.59-4.14). The cumulative reversibility of suppression of spermatogenesis after 52 weeks of recovery was 94.8 per 100 continuing users (95% CI, 91.5-97.1). The most common adverse events were acne, injection site pain, increased libido, and mood disorders. Following the recommendation of an external safety review committee the recruitment and hormone injections were terminated early.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study regimen led to near-complete and reversible suppression of spermatogenesis. The contraceptive efficacy was relatively good compared with other reversible methods available for men. The frequencies of mild to moderate mood disorders were relatively high
Testosterone enanthate at a dose of 200 mg/week decreases HDL-cholesterol levels in healthy men
The concept that androgen alone can provide an effective male
contraceptive has been tested in a multicentre, multiphase trial by the
World Health Organization. Results from this trial showed that an ester of
testosterone, testosterone enanthate (TE), administered at a dose of 200
mg/week, has a very high contraceptive efficacy, and suggested that, at
least in some populations, androgen alone might provide a viable option
for the control of male fertility. It has been claimed that testosterone
represents one of the gender-related risk factors for coronary artery
disease (CAD) in men. Epidemiological and interventional studies have
failed to establish a convincing relationship between testosterone and
high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Therefore, there is concern
about possible negative effects on lipoprotein asset of an androgen-alone
male contraceptive. In this study we analysed the effects of long-term (12
months) administration of TE (200 mg/week) in normal healthy men. Blood
samples (six men > 10 h fast = Group 1; 30 men > 4 h fast = Group 2) were
drawn from 36 men, monthly before the beginning of the injections
(control), every 3 months throughout the study period (treatment), and 1
month after stopping TE injections (recovery). Total cholesterol (chol),
triglycerides, HDL-C and LDL-C levels were measured in these samples.
Biochemical parameters were also monitored. TE administration induced a
significant decrease (15-20%) in HDL-C levels that was of comparable
magnitude in men from both groups (fasting and non-fasting) and occurred
regardless of basal HDL-C levels. No statistically significant effect on
other lipoproteins was detected. Considering all men together, HDL-C
levels were decreased in 78% of the men by month 3, 83% by month 6, 94% by
month 9 and 97% by month 12 of treatment. In all men the HDL-C decrease
was reversible within 1 month of stopping TE administration. It is
concluded that: (1) injection of 200 mg TE/week causes a 15-20% decrease
in HDL-C in normal men with no effect on other lipoproteins, (2) the
suppressive effect of TE is maintained throughout the 1-year-injection
period, and a direct relationship between the duration of TE
administration and the proportion of men showing decreased HDL-C levels,
was observed. (3) The HDL-C decrease was reversible within 1 month of
stopping TE administration. These data will be important in designing
further studies on male contraception, and in interpreting the
relationship between testosterone levels, HDL-C levels and potential
cardiovascular risk
Higher testosterone dose impairs sperm suppression induced by a combined androgen-progestin regimen
In this study we compared the effects of high-dose and low-dose
testosterone enanthate (TE) administered with the same dose of cyproterone
acetate (CPA). Eighteen men aged 21-45 were treated with CPA 5 mg/day and
with TE 100 mg/week (n = 9; CPA-5-100) or TE 200 mg/week (n = 9;
CPA-5-200) for 16 weeks. Semen analyses were performed every 2 weeks;
physical examination and chemistry, hematology, gonadotropin, and
testosterone measurements were performed every 4 weeks. At week 16 of
treatment, sperm counts were significantly more suppressed in the
CPA-5-100 group than in the CPA-5-200 group. Sperm counts returned to
baseline in all subjects after hormone administration ceased. No
difference in gonadotropin levels was found at any time between the 2
groups. During the treatment phase, testosterone levels were significantly
higher in the CPA-5-200 group than in the CPA-5-100 group. The present
study confirms that CPA/TE administration induces profound sperm
suppression. An increase in the dose of androgen resulted in less profound
sperm suppression despite no difference in gonadotropin suppression. These
data suggest that high testosterone levels can maintain sperm production
in men
Follistatin decreases activin-stimulated FSH secretion with no effect on GnRH-stimulated FSH secretion in prepubertal male monkeys
Follistatin is an activin-binding glycoprotein that decreases FSH
secretion in vitro and in vivo in rats. The mechanism by which follistatin
acts is unclear, but it has been suggested that it may bind endogenous
activin and neutralize its effects. In this study, we wished to test the
ability of follistatin to suppress FSH secretion in vivo in primates whose
FSH secretion has been stimulated by activin or by GnRH. Six prepubertal
male monkeys were injected intravenously with human recombinant
follistatin at the dose of 90 micrograms/kg or 180 micrograms/kg plus
activin (90 micrograms/kg) or GnRH (10 micrograms/kg). Frequent blood
samples were drawn for 12 hours following each injection. Bio FSH and LH
levels were measured in those samples. GnRH and activin each stimulated
FSH bioactivity. Both doses of follistatin significantly inhibited the
activin-induced increase in FSH (p < 0.05). The GnRH-induced increase in
FSH was not affected by follistatin. LH levels were not affected by
follistatin in any of the studies. These data suggest that follistatin can
suppress the activin-induced increase in FSH in primates and is consistent
with the hypothesis that follistatin can block the physiological effects
of endogenous activin in primates. This effect is likely to be due to the
binding of follistatin to activin either in the peripheral circulation or
at the pituitary level
Annual patterns of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and inhibin in normal men
Reproductive functions in most animals demonstrate seasonal fluctuations
that allow young to be born at a time of the year favourable for their
survival. Whether there is a seasonal change in the human reproductive
system is unclear. In the present study, we measured serum concentrations
of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and
inhibin in the same 16 normal men sampled monthly for 1 year. A
statistically significant increase in all four measured hormones was found
in June, with a nadir in August. Our findings suggest that a circannual
rhythm of gonadotrophins and testicular hormones exists in normal men. The
mechanism leading to this rhythm and the importance of the rhythm in human
biology are unknown
Low dose of cyproterone acetate and testosterone enanthate for contraception in men
After a control phase, 10 normal men received cyproterone acetate (CPA) at
a dose of 25 mg/day (CPA-25; n=5) or 12.5 mg/day (CPA-12.5; n=5) plus
testosterone enanthate (TE) 100 mg/week, for 16 weeks. Throughout the
study sperm counts were performed every 2 weeks, and luteinizing hormone
(LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, biochemical and
haematological tests were performed every 4 weeks. All five men in group
CPA-25 and three men in group CPA-12.5 achieved azoospermia. One man in
group CPA-25 was azoospermic by week 12 of hormone administration, but had
a sperm count of 0.1 x 10(6)/ml at week 16. Time to azoospermia was
9.0+/-1.3 and 8.7+/-0.7 weeks in groups CPA-25 and CPA-12.5 respectively.
Gonadotrophins were decreased by week 4 of hormone administration,
remained around the minimum detectability of the assay for the duration of
hormone administration and returned to baseline after stopping hormone
administration. Testosterone values did not change. No change in any
biochemical parameters was found. Haematological parameters were decreased
at week 16 of hormone administration and returned to baseline after
stopping hormone administration. In conclusion, these results suggest that
an hormonal regimen consisting of testosterone plus a progestin with
anti-androgenic properties holds promise as an effective, safe and
reversible male contraceptive
An oral regimen of cyproterone acetate and testosterone undecanoate for spermatogenic suppression in men
OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness, safety, and reversibility of the
combined administration of cyproterone acetate and T undecanoate. DESIGN:
Open clinical trial. SETTING: Healthy volunteers in an academic research
environment. PATIENT(S): Eight healthy men, aged 25-42 years were
selected. INTERVENTION(S): Cyproterone acetate, 12.5 mg, and T
undecanoate, 80 mg, were administered orally twice daily for 16 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen analyses every 2 weeks; physical
examination, chemistries, hematology, prostatic-specific antigen,
gonadotropins and T levels, and a questionnaire on sexual and behavioral
function every 4 weeks. RESULT(S): In all subjects a profound suppression
of spermatogenesis occurred; one subject became azoospermic, five subjects
had sperm counts of < or = 3 x 10(6)/mL, and in two subjects sperm counts
were 4 and 6 x 10(6)/mL in week 16. Sperm counts returned to baseline in
all men after hormone administration was discontinued. No changes in
metabolic parameters and total prostatic-specific antigen were detected.
Hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased statistically significantly at week 16
of treatment and returned to baseline by week 12 of recovery. There was no
change in sexual function or behavior. CONCLUSION(S): The oral
administration of T undecanoate plus cyproterone acetate induces a
profound suppression of spermatogenesis with no major adverse effects.
These data suggest the feasibility of oral contraception in men