Study finds relationship between testosterone and diabetes

Scientists from University of Edinburgh are the first to discover the relationship between testosterone levels in men and the development of diabetes. Low levels of testosterone are associated with obesity, a risk factor for diabetes. The recent study tested insulin resistance of mice with respect to their levels of testosterone. Results showed that all mice with impaired testosterone function developed insulin resistance. Researchers also discovered that high levels of a protein called RBP4, which also regulates insulin resistance, were present in high-fat diet fed mice with low testosterone level. Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, suggested that a further study will be conducted to investigate the relationship between low testosterone levels, obesity and development of Type 2 diabetes in humans.