Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2011) 26 P227

ECE2011 Poster Presentations Pituitary (111 abstracts)

Pituitary function in type 2 diabetic men with good or poor glycaemic control

S Scaltriti 1 , B Madeo 1 , M Bertolini 2 , S Romano 2 , L Zirilli 1 , E R Cavani 2 , A Balestrieri 3 , C Carani 1 & V Rochira 1


1Chair and Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Geriatrics, NOCSAE of Baggiovara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; 2Diabetes Care, Department of Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Geriatrics, NOCSAE of Baggiovara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; 3Unit of Endocrinology, Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy.


Introduction: Several data suggest that male hypogonadism occurs frequently in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains partially unknown. In order to investigate the short term effect of hyperglycaemic state on hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis we prospectively studied 18 men with T2DM younger than 55 years at the time of first diagnosis of T2DM. We compared men with HbA1c≥9.0% with men with HbA1c≤9.0% at baseline at baseline when glycaemic control was wrong and after a short and long period of treatment when a good glycaemic control had been obtained.

Methods: Basal serum fasting glucose, insulin, fructosamine, HbA1c, total, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, LH, FSH, total testosterone (T), estradiol and stimulated LH and FSH after a standard GnRH test.

Results: A positive percentage increase from baseline of testosterone was observed in men with HbA1c≥9% at baseline after glycaemic control had been achieved, while in men with HbA1c<9% a minimal decrease of testosterone was recorded, the mean percentage increase from baseline of group with HbA1c≥9% being significantly higher (P=0.018), and it was associated with a positive trend of testosterone/LH ratio and a positive percentage increase from baseline of the response of LH to GnRH infusion in terms of area under the curve and peak.

Conclusion: Testosterone secretion by Leydig cells could be impaired in poorly controlled T2DM men and both a better glycaemic control at baseline and/or an improvement of the glycaemic control are associated with a better gonadal function in T2DM men.

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