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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic disease that affects not only the respiratory system. Sex hormones deficiency in men can be correlated with the COPD stages and make a negative contribution during its progression. Up to date, there are no long-term trials evaluating the effects of androgens on the parameters of respiratory function in patients with COPD. Changes of testosterone levels in patients with COPD correlate with forced expiratory volume, and hypoxemia and hypercapnia levels. Glucocorticosteroids exacerbate androgen deficiency in patients with COPD, and the use of hormone replacement therapy with testosterone in these patients is justified. Androgens, in particular drug nebido, testosterone depot, can be effectively used in treatment and rehabilitation of patients with COPD.

We have studied 154 men (mean age 61,4+/-4,1 years) with the first hemispheric ischemic stroke. Clinical and laboratory studies have revealed the androgenic deficit in 66,3%, with its frequency higher in patients with diabetes mellitus type II (50 and 26,3%, respectively). Forty-two men with diabetes mellitus type II and acquired androgenic deficit received replacing treatment with testosterone undecanoate in dose 1000 mg intramuscular. The treatment was started one week after the development of stroke, the next injections were given after 6 weeks and then every 12 weeks during 2 years. The control group included 30 males who did not receive androgens. After 2 years from the beginning of treatment, there were the decrease in clinical severity of androgenic deficit, the increase of total and free testosterone levels, and muscle power in the main group compared to the controls. Body mass index, glicated hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins have decreased as well. Secondary stroke has developed in 3 (7,1%) patients of the main group and in 5 (16,6%) controls; 12 (28,6%) patients returned to work in the main group compared to 2 (6,6%) in the control group. The treatment with androgens has a positive effect on risk factors of secondary ischemic stroke. It is an effective method for improvement of social adaptation of men survived after the stroke.

Safety of testosterone undecanoate in relation to initiation of cancer and prostatic adenoma (PA) in patients with androgenic deficiency and erectile dysfunction (ED) was studied for 12 months in 49 patients aged 57 to 73 years treated with intramuscular testosteron injections. The size of the prostate in patients with adenoma was 46.34 +/- 21.12 cm3 while in adenoma-free patients--19.11 +/- 6.57 sm3. Diabetes mellitus of type 2 (DM-2) was diagnosed in 46.9% patients. All the patients had documented hypogonadism and ED. Tests for PSA and transrectal ultrasound investigation was made in all the patients. 12 month testosterone therapy produced normalization of a mean level of testosterone in both groups, index of erectile function increased. In one patient PSA rose higher than normal value. None of the patients developed obstruction of the urinary tract. Body mass index, lipid spectrum and carbohydrate metabolism also improved. Thus, long-term therapy with testosterone undecanoate has no effect on PSA level, does not induce urinary obstruction with enlarged prostate. The presence of DM-2 is not a contraindication for androgen therapy in adenoma patients. By reducing body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDLP, testosterone therapy lowers the risk of prostatic cancer.

Partial androgen deficiency of aging male (PADAM) manifests with sexual dysfunction and is associated with many diseases, primarily, cardiovascular. After the age of 30-40 a testosterone level falls 1-2% a year. The number of men with testosterone deficiency grows from 8% in 40-60-year-olds to 85% at the age over 80 years. Low testosterone correlates with such risk factors of cardiovascular diseases as dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, low fibrinolysis, insulin resistance and abdominal obesity. Correction of androgenic deficiency can be conducted with the drug androgel which represents a new system of transdermal testosterone delivery. In contrast to vasoactive drugs, androgel affects pathogenetic mechanisms of erectile dysfunction and thus attenuates factors of cardiovascular risk. Androgel is used externally and is more effective than intramuscular and oral analogues. Also, the drug improves lipid spectrum. By activating lipolysis, testosterone reduces the amount of visceral fat thus lowering insulin resistance. A vasodilating effect of androgel positively influences cardiovascular system and penile vessels. The drug acts fast, is effective and safe. Therefore, it can be recommended for correction of erectile dysfunction in patients with old age androgen deficiency and concurrent cardiovascular diseases.

In spite of its prevalence, age-related androgen deficiency has not been studied in full. Androgen deficiency is associated with a lot of age-related diseases (coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis etc). The level of testosterone in men gradually decreases beginning at the age of 30 to 40 years. Age-related hypogonadism results in an increase in the frequency of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular mortality. Low testosterone level is associated with dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, reduction of fibrinolysis, insulinoresistance, and abdominal obesity. Physiological doses of androgen preparations are supposed to have a positive effect on various chains of metabolism and improve the course of diseases in men.