World's First Test to Analyse Testosterone-Diabetes Link

World's first test is getting underway in Australia to analyse whether testosterone injections could help prevent diabetes in men.

Up to 1500 men across four Australian states will enrol in the Weight Watchers program and be given regular injections of either testosterone or a placebo.

According to lead investigator Professor Gary Wittert from the University of Adelaide, men aged 50 to 74 who are at risk of developing diabetes are currently being sought for the two-year study.

He said it was the first time such a study had been conducted anywhere in the world.

"Nobody has ever done a proper two-year trial to answer the question of whether giving testosterone prevents the onset of diabetes," the Daily telegraph quoted Prof Wittert as saying.

He said men with low testosterone levels were most likely to progress to diabetes.

Prof Wittert said the 4.8-million-dollar study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and had been designed by a group of Australian academics.

Weight Watchers was asked to join the research because a weight loss program was needed that was widely available to all Australian men, including online.

Men enrolled in the program will receive the testosterone or placebo injections on day one, after six weeks and then every three months, while taking part in Weight Watchers, Prof Wittert said.

Associate Professor Mathis Grossman from Melbourne University, who is leading the research in Victoria, said it was hoped the study would be life-changing for the men involved.

Source: ANI