INCREASED INSULIN RESISTANCE, DYSLIPIDEMIA, PRO-INFLAMMATORY MARKERS AND ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION IN CASTRATED MALE RATS: ROLE OF TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT

Molecular effects of androgens on cardiovascular system are variable in nature and are concentration dependent. In spite of the evidences favoring possible involvement of reduced endogenous androgens in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular disease, there is no certain role of exogenous testosterone supplementation in normal or hypogonadal males to slow down the progression of atherosclerosis. Replacement of testosterone in certain trials resulted in significant reduction in the levels of inflammatory mediators which are considered as important biomarkers in atherosclerosis. Present study aimed mainly to configure firstly the onset of inflammatory markers, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction (cardiovascular risk factors) as developed in castrated male rats. Secondly the role of testosterone replacement using various dose levels, expressed as low, medium and high respectively. Certain Biomarkers were selected for evaluation and are mainly serum glucose, insulin, lipogram pattern, CRP, IL-6, Endothelin-1 and plasma fibrinogen. Castration of rats and almost testosterone depletion has led to disturbance in glucose metabolism, lipogram pattern, increased inflammatory markers and plasma fibrinogen. Testosterone administration induced evident improvement, specifically more prominent on using medium dose.