The clinical picture of metabolic syndrome. An update on this complex of conditions and risk factors.

Metabolic syndrome has piqued the interest and concern of physicians and patients alike. The syndrome represents a commingling of several conditions and risk factors common in the United States and links accelerated cardiovascular disease with insulin resistance. As more details are uncovered about metabolic syndrome, new questions arise.

Single dose responses to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analogue [(imBz 1)-D-His6,Pro9-NEt]GnRH.

The agonist analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), [(imBz1)-D-His6,Pro9-NEt]GnRH, has a potency 200 times that of the native hormone in vitro. In single dose studies in man, this analogue resulted in 2- to 4-fold elevation of LH and FSH, and demonstrated a prolonged duration of activity. [(imBz1)-D-His6,Pro9-NEt]GnRH appears to be safe and, as with other analogues of GnRH, may have application to clinical medicine.

Suppression of plasma testosterone leads to an increase in serum total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apoproteins A-I and B.

Men have lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) and higher low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels than women. To dynamically evaluate the role of endogenous testosterone on the lipoprotein profile, eight normal men received a long-acting gonadotropin releasing hormone analog (LHRHA) for 10 weeks by SC injection. Plasma testosterone levels were acutely lowered below 1 ng/ml after 4 weeks of LHRHA treatment and remained depressed at this level for the duration of administration of the analog.

Heterogeneity of sperm density profiles following 20-week therapy with high-dose LHRH analog plus testosterone.

Eight normal male volunteers received an LHRH analog, 100 to 500 micrograms daily, for 20 weeks. Testosterone enanthate, 100 mg, was given by injection every second week. Sperm density fell to 5.