Distinct effects of testosterone on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-beta levels.

The effect of testosterone on the levels of the Alzheimer's disease amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) was investigated in guinea pigs. Castrated guinea pigs (GPX) were administered testosterone at two different dosages, following which plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Abeta_{40} levels were measured. Plasma Abeta_{40} levels were reduced in GPX in the early stages of low-dose testosterone treatment, whereas CSF Abeta_{40} levels were only reduced by the time circulating testosterone had returned to untreated GPX levels. The supraphysiological testosterone dose did not reduce CSF Abeta_{40} levels significantly until circulating testosterone was back to uncastrated levels, whereas plasma Abeta_{40} levels significantly increased over time in these animals. These results indicate that the extent of testosterone-induced changes to Abeta_{40} levels and their response rates depend on both the tissue examined and testosterone dosage.