PURPOSE: We measured soluble CD36 (sCD36) and body composition to determine the effects of testosterone treatment (TT) and/or strength training (ST) on cardiovascular risk in men with low normal testosterone levels. METHODS: Double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in 54 men aged 60 to 78 years with bioavailable testosterone < 7.3 nmol/L and waist > 94 cm randomized to TT (gel, 50 to 100 mg/day, n = 20), placebo (n = 18) or ST (n = 16) for 6 months. Moreover, the ST group was randomized to TT (ST+TT, n = 7) or placebo (ST+placebo, n = 9) after 3 months. Outcomes. sCD36, total and regional fat mass were established by dual x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging. Data are presented as median (quartiles). Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were performed on delta values at 0, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: ST+placebo decreased sCD36 levels by 21% (from 0.80 (0.68 to 1.22) to 0.63 (0.51 to 0.73) rel units) versus TT and versus placebo (p < 0.05). ST+placebo did not change bioavailable testosterone and lean body mass. Fat mass measures significantly improved during ST+placebo, ST+TT, and TT versus placebo. During ST+placebo, delta sCD36 was associated with delta total fat mass (r = 0.81) and delta central fat mass (r = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to testosterone treatment, six months of strength training reduced sCD36 levels suggesting decreased cardiovascular risk, possibly due to a reduction in central fat mass.

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