Improvement of the diabetic foot upon testosterone administration to hypogonadal men with peripheral arterial disease. Report of three cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lower extremity complications (neuropathy, ulceration, infection, and peripheral arterial disease) are common in diabetes mellitus. There is an inverse relation between plasma testosterone and insulin sensitivity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and HbA1c concentrations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We report the beneficial effects of administration of testosterone to three men with a diabetic foot whose serum testosterone was subnormal.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Upon normalization of serum testosterone there was an improvement of hyperglycemia, a decrease of leukocytes and of fibrinogen levels, an increase of antithrombin III activity and of tissue oxygen pressure. The wound showed granulation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Beneficial effects of administration of testosterone to hypogonadal with a diabetic foot may be due to improved vascularization and to anti-inflammatory action.</p