IL-1 Antagonism in Men With Metabolic Syndrome and Low Testosterone: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract
Context
Hypogonadism is highly prevalent among obese men with metabolic syndrome. Chronic low-grade inflammation is suspected to be a major cause for low testosterone levels in obese individuals.
Objectives
To test the inflammatory hypothesis of testosterone deficiency in metabolic syndrome.
Design, Setting, Participants, and Intervention
In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involving men with metabolic syndrome, we randomly assigned 33 patients to receive 100 mg of anakinra (recombinant human IL-1 receptor antagonist) subcutaneously twice daily for 4 weeks and 34 patients to receive placebo.
Main Outcome Measures
The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in total testosterone levels after 4 weeks.
Results
The mean age was 54 years and baseline total testosterone levels were 9.3 nmol/L (95% CI, 8.7 to 10.0). At 4 weeks, total testosterone levels increased by 1.2 nmol/L (95% CI, 0.3 to 2.0; P = 0.01) in the anakinra group as compared with no change in the placebo group (0.01 nmol/L; 95% CI, -0.5 to 0.5; P = 0.99), resulting in a between-group difference of 0.96 nmol/L (95% CI, 0.3 to 1.9; P = 0.04). The effects were most pronounced with baseline C-reactive protein >2 mg/L (between-group difference 2.14 nmol/L; 95% CI, 0.11 to 4.17; P = 0.04) and body mass index >40 kg/m2 (between-group difference 2.64 nmol/L; 95% CI, 0.19 to 5.09; P = 0.04). Anakinra treatment did not exert benefits on fatigue and sexual dysfunction, but it improved grip strength…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 34 participants or records.
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