Effect of physiological dose testosterone on left ventricular function of male rats with chronic heart failure

Objective: To investigate the effects of physiological dose testosterone undecanonate(TU) on the left ventricular function of male rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction.Methods: 120 SD male rats were randomly assigned to ligation of coronary artery(n = 105) or sham operation(sham,n =15).6 weeks later,44 survived model rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: CHF+TU group(n=22) treated with TU 5 mg/ kg per 2 weeks intramuscular injection;CHF group(n=22) treated with placebo.Serum testosterone levels were determined after treatment for 12 weeks.The left ventricular functions were examined by echocardiography.Results: In CHF male rats EF of left ventricular compared with the Sham group were greatly decreased(33.2±7.5% vs.69.1±6.7%,P0.05) companying with the decrease of serum testosterone level(179.3±89.81 ng/dl vs.475.28±161.37 ng/dl,P0.05).After physiological dose TU administration the EF of the CHF +TU group rats improved significantly compared with its of the sham group rats(36.1±9.3% vs.33.2±7.5%,P0.05).Conclusion: The serum level testosterone of male rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction was decreased significantly.Physiological dose testosterone treatment can improve left ventricular systolic function.