Dr. Page and her research group in male reproductive health perform both clinical and translational studies aimed to determine the impact of endogenous and exogenous androgens on 1) prostate physiology, 2) circulating lipids and insulin resistance and 3) spermatogenesis. From a clinical perspective,…
more these investigations endeavor to answer questions surrounding the risks and benefits of androgen-based therapies in men and to advance the development of a safe and reversible male hormonal contraceptive. Despite the fact that millions of men are using exogenous testosterone, there remain significant concerns surrounding the potential impact of androgen-replacement strategies on risk for prostate and cardiovascular disease in men. Dr. Page and her colleagues have approached questions of end-organ androgen effects using randomized-controlled trials in men, obtaining tissue before and after androgen administration. This approach has allowed her to elucidate the hormonal and molecular consequences of androgen manipulation within human prostate or adipose tissues directly. These studies have demonstrated that circulating androgen levels are not mirrored within the tissue microenvironment and that, as a consequence, manipulation of serum androgen concentrations do not have predicted effects on end-organ gene expression. Going forward, Dr. Page’s group is expanding their studies to explore the molecular effects of androgen manipulation on metabolic risk factors including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia with a particular focus on HDL. Emerging studies from her group are assessing the impact of sex steroids on HDL protein composition and function, characteristics of HDL that appear to be closely linked to risk for cardiovascular disease.
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