Testosterone and obesity share a reciprocal relationship in aging men, with chronic inflammation and hormonal dysfunction reducing testosterone production, while decreased testosterone promotes visceral obesity and metabolic disease, and testosterone replacement therapy offers potential benefits with efficacy influenced by gut microbiota, racial differences, and genetic polymorphisms.
Key Findings
Background
Testosterone plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass and bone density and regulating sexual function in men, and is associated with inhibition of obesity and prevention of obesity-related diseases.
Obesity-related diseases linked to testosterone include type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Testosterone maintains multiple physiological functions beyond sexual health, including metabolic regulation.
The review provides a comprehensive overview of physiological mechanisms linking obesity and testosterone.
Background
Obesity has a complex effect on testosterone production and metabolism through dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.
Chronic inflammation associated with obesity causes dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Hormones associated with obesity contribute to reduced testosterone production.
The disruption of the HPG axis represents a key mechanistic pathway linking obesity to low testosterone.
Background
Blood testosterone levels decrease in obese men, suggesting a reciprocal interaction between decreased testosterone and obesity.
Studies have demonstrated that blood testosterone levels decrease in obese men.
The relationship between obesity and testosterone is described as a 'reciprocal interaction,' meaning each condition can worsen the other.
This bidirectional relationship is a central theme of the review.
Background
Decreased testosterone levels are closely associated with aging, and the natural decline in testosterone with age can lead to visceral obesity.
Age-related testosterone decline increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases.
The natural decline in testosterone with age specifically promotes visceral obesity.
In many countries, population aging is increasing the importance of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for aging men with low testosterone.
Background
Recent studies have expanded understanding of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), highlighting its potential benefits in obese individuals and its interaction with gut microbiota.
TRT has potential benefits specifically in obese individuals.
Gut microbiota interactions with TRT represent an emerging research direction.
Racial differences and genetic polymorphisms influence TRT treatment efficacy.
These emerging findings may inform personalized treatment strategies for aging men with low testosterone.