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The goal of this study was to determine how to minimize the secondary polycythemia effect observed in patients on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Patient hemoglobin, estradiol (E2) and total testosterone (TT) levels were used in this study to determine when a patient became “stable” on treatment. Stability was defined in this study as the point at which a patient’s symptoms have resolved, secondary polycythemia has stopped, and testosterone cypionate (TC) dosage has remained consistent for at least three months. Currently, secondary polycythemia associated with TRT is commonly being controlled by frequent blood donations, or therapeutic phlebotomies. However, this study shows that it is possible to minimize fluctuations in TT and E2 levels, which then minimizes side effects including secondary polycythemia. In this study, we found that the patients stabilized at TT levels between 605–1051 ng/dL. The effects of stable TC dosing were tracked and discussed in terms of total cholesterol, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and A1c levels as well. These were not necessarily the focus of the study, but significant trends were noted once data was collected to warrant their inclusion in the study.

The abusive use of anabolic androgenic steroids has become a serious health problem worldwide, but its effects on oral health are still poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone cypionate (TC) on salivary biochemical, histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, and redox state parameters of parotid and submandibular glands. Twenty male Wistar rats, 12 weeks old, were divided into two groups (n=10/group): a control group and TC group, which received a dose of 20 mg/kg, once a week, for 6 weeks. Post treatment, the saliva and glands were collected. A supraphysiological dose of TC increased plasma and salivary testosterone concentrations. Although TC did not alter salivary flow, pH, and buffering capacity, the treatment increased the salivary secretion of total protein and reduced amylase, calcium, phosphate, and potassium. TC reduced the connective tissue area in the parotid gland and acinar area of the submandibular gland, while increasing the granular convoluted tubule area in the submandibular gland. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was higher in the acinar cells of the submandibular glands from the TC group. Moreover, TC increased concentrations of total oxidant capacity and damaged lipids in both salivary glands, while total antioxidant activity and uric acid were lower in the submandibular gland, and reduced glutathione was higher in both glands. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were higher in the parotid gland, while only glutathione peroxidase activity was lower in the submandibular gland of the TC group. In conclusion, TC abuse may be a potential factor for dysfunction of the parotid and submandibular glands, becoming a risk factor for the oral and systemic health of users. [Display omitted] • TC do not alter salivary flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity. • TC increase total protein content and decrease salivary electrolyte levels. • TC increased PCNA immunostaining in the submandibular gland. • TC induced oxidative damage in the parotid and submandibular glands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this research study, is to develop and validate a reverse phase HPLC test method for detecting relevant impurities in Testosterone cypionate (TCY). Materials and Methods: The chromatographic system for separation of related impurities were achieved in Zorbax XDB-C8 (15 cm x 4.6 mm), 5 micron HPLC column utilising gradient elution technique. Water was selected as solvent-A and Acetonitrile was preferred as solvent-B for mobile phase. The method is gradient technique. Column heater was kept constant at 35°C; the rate of flow was 1.2 mL per min; volume of injection was 20 µL and 240 nm was set for detector wavelength. Results: The % recovery was in the range of 95.6% to 108.7% for all impurities. The result of correlation coefficient were higher than 0.98. Testosterone is the major degradants obtained from forced degradation study. Conclusion: The created method can be utilise in quality control testing on a regular basis for the analysis of Testosterone cypionate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • AAS which are synthetic substances that possess functions similar to testosterone. • AAS changed significantly the heart morphology. • Testosterone cypionate led to an increase in the ventricular lumen. • Stanozolol increased left ventricle myocardium thickness. Abstract Testosterone cypionate and Stanozolol are Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) which are synthetic substances that possess functions similar to testosterone. The use of these substances has increased considerably among youngsters and sports practitioners aiming better performance of with aesthetic purposes. The major concern is the effects caused by the inappropriate use of the substances, such as hypertension, myocardial ischemia, and left ventricle hypertrophy. The objective of the present research was to measure the diameter of the left ventricle lumen and the thickness of the left ventricle myocardium in mice submitted to supraphysiological doses of AAS. A total of 30 female Swiss mice were used in the experiments. The animals received supraphysiological doses of the AAS for 30 days, and during the treatment period, they were put to swim in intercalated days. After treatment animals were euthanized and slides were made from the hearts for measurements. Results demonstrated that both AAS changed significantly the heart morphology: Testosterone cypionate led to an increase in the ventricular lumen and stanozolol increased left ventricle myocardium thickness. In conclusion, the use of AAS in supraphysiological doses can change the heart morphology and can lead to serious health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indiscriminate use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has motivated researchers to investigate the mutagenic action of these substances. The present study, using the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test, evaluates the genotoxic potential of testosterone cypionate (deposteron). Male Swiss mice received intramuscular injections of deposteron at three doses. The animals were sacrificed 24, 48, or 72 h after treatment and bone marrow was removed immediately, followed by scoring to count the micronuclei in 2000 polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE). Two hundred erythrocytes/animal were analyzed to determine the PCE–NCE (normochromatic erythrocyte) relationship and to determine the cytotoxic effects. The animals treated with deposteron at the highest dose presented greater numbers of micronuclei. The highest dose caused a decrease in the PCE/NCE relationship, indicating a cytotoxic effect. We conclude that deposteron is genotoxic and cytotoxic in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Orchiectomy induced salivary gland dysfunction. • Orchiectomy changes salivary secretion of total protein, amylase, and electrolytes. • Orchiectomy increases oxidative damage markers in the salivary gland. • Testosterone hormonal therapy restored salivary gland function. • Testosterone hormonal therapy restored redox balance of the salivary gland. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of orchiectomy (ORX) and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on redox balance and function of salivary glands. Forty-five young adult male Wistar rats (3 months old) were either castrated bilaterally or underwent fictitious surgery (SHAM) and were subsequently distributed into 3 groups: SHAM, ORX, and TRT (castrated rats that received an intramuscular injection of testosterone cypionate 10 mg/kg/weekly). All treatments started 4 weeks after castration (4 months old) and lasted 4 weeks (5 months old). At the end of treatment, pilocarpine-induced salivary secretion was collected to analyze salivary flow rate and biochemistry composition, and the parotid (PG) and submandibular (SMG) glands were sampled for redox balance markers and histomorphometric analyses. ORX increased salivary flow rate, calcium, phosphate, and chloride, and decreased total protein and amylase, while not changing the salivary buffer capacity, pH, sodium, and potassium compared to SHAM. TRT restored all salivary parameters to SHAM values. ORX increased oxidative lipid and protein damage, total antioxidant capacity, and uric acid in both salivary glands compared to SHAM. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were greater only in the SMG of the ORX group in relation to SHAM. ORX decreased duct and acini area, while increasing connective tissue in the PG. On the other hand, ORX reduced duct area and increased acini area in the SMG compared to SHAM. TRT restored the redox balance and histomorphometric parameters to close to SHAM values in both salivary glands. Orchiectomy-induced salivary gland dysfunction was characterized by an increase in the salivary flow rate and changes in the secretion of total protein, amylase, and electrolytes, which are key factors, considered important for maintaining oral health status. To sum up, orchiectomy impaired the redox balance of the salivary glands. Our results also showed that TRT reversed the oxidative damage, morphological alterations, and salivary gland dysfunction induced by orchiectomy. Therefore, these results suggest an important action of testosterone on the redox balance and secretory ability of salivary glands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of physiologic (100 mg/wk) and supraphysiologic (250 and 500 mg/wk) doses of testosterone cypionate (TC) on automobile driving were studied using the Iowa Driver Simulator. Six normal subject volunteers were studied off TC and on TC once steady-state concentrations were achieved after at least three weeks of dosing. Despite the administration of supraphysiologic testosterone doses, an increase in aggressive driving behavior was not detected. Likewise, corresponding psychometric testing using the Büsi-Durkee Hostility Inventory to assess aggression was unable to detect any change in aggression in the test subjects. Although aggressive driving behavior may be increased by testosterone administration, the drug itself may not be responsible for these effects. Supraphysiologic doses greater than 500 mg/wk and a semi-controlled research environment may be necessary to produce this effect since case reports of AAS abuse causing altered driving behavior may be multifactorial in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although anabolic steroids (AS) and trans-fatty acids overload exerts systemic toxicity and are independent risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, their interaction remains poorly understood. Thus, we investigated the impact of a diet rich in trans-fatty acids (HFD) combined with AS on glycemic control, lipid profile, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and pancreas microstructure and expression of genes involved in energy metabolism. Forty-eight C57BL/6 mice were randomized into 6 groups treated for 12 weeks with a standard diet (SD) or a diet rich in C18:1 trans-fatty isomers (HFD), alone or combined with 10 or 20 mg/kg testosterone cypionate (AS). Our results indicated that AS improved glycemic control, upregulated gene expression of Glut-4 and CPT-1 in skeletal muscle, FAS , ACC and UCP-1 in adipose tissue. AS also reduced total and LDL cholesterol in mice fed a SD. When combined with the HFD, AS was unable to induce microstructural adaptations in adipose tissue, pancreatic islets and β-cells, but potentiated GCK and Glut-2 (pancreas) and Glut-4 and CPT-1 (skeletal muscle) upregulation. HFD plus AS also downregulated FAS and ACC gene expression in adipose tissue. Combined with HFD, AS increased triacylglycerol circulating levels, improved insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in mice. Our findings indicated that HFD and AS can interact to modulates glycemic control and lipid profile by a mechanism potentially related with a reprogramming of genes expression in organs such as the pancreas, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]