Effects of Low-Dose Testosterone Undecanoate Treatment on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover Markers in Elderly Male Osteoporosis with Low Serum Testosterone
Open accessAbstract
This prospective 2-year, single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, open-label clinical trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose testosterone undecanoate (TU) treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in elderly male osteoporosis with low serum testosterone. A total of 186 elderly male osteoporosis patients with low serum testosterone were randomized into three groups: low-dose TU (20 mg, per day), standard-dose TU (40 mg, per day), and placebo group with a 24-month followup. Since the 6th month in standard-dose TU group or since the 12th month followup in low-dose TU group and throughout the study, lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD and serum levels of free testosterone, estradiol, and bone alkaline phosphatase significantly increased. There were no significant differences between groups of low-dose TU and standard dose TU in the percentage of changes of these data since the 18th month followup and throughout the study. No side effects on prostate glands including prostate specific antigen were found. In conclusion, low-dose TU (20 mg, per day) may be a cost effective and safe protocol for treating elderly male osteoporosis with low serum testosterone.
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In trials, patients with low testosterone have demonstrated statistically significant improvements in erectile function, sex drive, anemia, bone mineral density, lean body mass, and depressive symptoms.
“In trials, patients with low testosterone have demonstrated statistically significant improvements in erectile function, 24 sex drive, 24 anemia, 25 bone mineral density, 26 lean body mass, 27 and depressive symptoms. 24”
From Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency: AUA Guideline (2018) · cites this paper as [26]
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- Authors
- Wang, Y.-J., Zhan, J.-K., Huang, W., Wang, Y., Liu, Y., Wang, S., Tan, P., Tang, Z.-Y., & Liu, Y.-S.
- Affiliations
- Geriatric Department of the Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Institute of Aging and Geriatric Research, Central South University, No. 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
- Central South University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Liu, You-Shuo
- Venue
- International Journal of Endocrinology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2013
- Volume
- 2013
- Pages
- 1-6
- ISSN
- 1687-8337 (ISSN-L)
- 1687-8345
- PMC
- PMC3603196
- OpenAlex
- W2134033218
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 2.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- International Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (30871191, 201302008, 09JJ3037)
- Ministry of Health of China (30871191, 201302008, 09JJ3037)
- Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation (30871191, 201302008, 09JJ3037)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments
- Keywords
- testosterone undecanoate, male osteoporosis, older men, androgen deficiency, bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, alkaline phosphatase, estradiol, free testosterone, lumbar spine, femoral neck, prostate-specific antigen
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