The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Testosterone

Abstract

Low plasma testosterone (T) levels correlated with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and increased mortality risk. T exerts a significant effect on the regulation of adipose tissue accumulation, and in the glucose and lipids metabolism. Adipocytes are the primary source of the most important adipokines responsible for inflammation and chronic diseases. This review aims to analyze the possible effect of T on the regulation of the proinflammatory cytokines secretion.A systematic literature search on MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane using the combination of the following keywords: “testosterone” with “inflammation,” “cytokines,” “adiponectin, CRP, IL-1B, IL-6, TNFα, leptin” was conducted. Sixteen articles related to the effect of low T level and 18 to the effect of T therapy on proinflammatory cytokine were found.T exerts a significant inhibitory effect on adipose tissue formation and the expression of various adipocytokines, such as leptin, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, and is positively correlated with adiponectin level, whereas a low T level is correlated with increased expression of markers of inflammation. Further studies are necessary to investigate the role of T, integrated with weight loss and physical activity, on its action on the mechanisms of production and regulation of proinflammatory cytokines.

The effect of testosterone on thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid men with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and low testosterone levels

“…The proinflammatory state in Hashimoto's thyroiditis is partially mediated by proinflammatory cytokines, which seem to contribute to low‐grade systemic inflammation and gland destruction . In turn, low testosterone levels were found to be associated with low‐grade systemic inflammation, while administration of exogenous testosterone inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐α) . It is possible that the increase in tissue testosterone content secondary to its oral administration suppresses thyroid autoimmunity via androgen receptors expressed in primary lymphoid organs and peripheral immune cells .…”

“…26 In turn, low testosterone levels were found to be associated with low-grade systemic inflammation, while administration of exogenous testosterone inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α). 27,28 It is possible that the increase in tissue testosterone content secondary to its oral administration suppresses thyroid autoimmunity via androgen receptors expressed in primary lymphoid organs and peripheral immune cells. 29 However, this effect does not seem to be mediated by prolactin, stimulating immune cells and many immunological responses, as well as inducing the progression of numerous autoimmune disorders.…”

Decoding the genomic basis of osteoarthritis

“…Cartilage cluster assignment was associated with patient sex (OR=4.12, p=0.0024), with women more likely to be members of the cluster characterised by higher inflammation. One explanation for this observation may be the lower concentration of oestrogen and androgens, which have established anti-inflammatory effects, in post-menopausal women [20][21][22] . This is in line with the disproportionate increase in the incidence of osteoarthritis in women after the menopause.…”

Allostatic load and executive functions in overweight adults

“…Because of Furthermore, the study of sexual dimorphism in stress vulnerability could be an interesting line of 1 research that we have not had the opportunity to conduct in the current work. The ups-and-downs 2 of testosterone are well known because, by one hand, it presents anti-inflammatory properties as 3 it exerts an inhibitory effect on adipocyte maturation (Bianchi, 2019). However, testosterone also 4 shows a strong link with cardiovascular diseases in ageing men (Goodale et al, 2017).…”