Effects of transdermal testosterone on natriuretic peptide levels in women: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study

Eleanor Lin, Elizabeth McCabe, Christopher Newton-Cheh, Kenneth Bloch, Emmanuel Buys, Thomas Wang, Karen K. Miller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether testosterone administration alters natriuretic peptide levels in women. Design: Three-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Setting: Clinical research center. Patient(s): Fifty-one women with hypoandrogenemia due to hypopituitarism. Intervention(s): Transdermal testosterone (300 μg daily) or placebo patch. Main Outcome Measure(s): N-Terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. Result(s): NT-proBNP levels decreased in the transdermal testosterone group compared with placebo over three months. The difference between groups remained significant after controlling for baseline age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Change in NT-proBNP over 3 months was inversely associated with change in free testosterone levels. Conclusion(s): Testosterone administration to women results in decreased natriuretic peptide levels, suggesting that testosterone may be an inverse regulator of the natriuretic peptide system. Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT00027430.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)489-493
Number of pages5
JournalFertility and sterility
Volume97
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Testosterone
  • natriuretic peptides

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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