A CLINICAL trial is being carried out in Oxford to correct low testosterone levels in men with Type 2 diabetes and reduce their risk of heart disease.

Researchers at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism are looking for volunteers to help test a new hormone therapy that could correct some of the effects of diabetes.

The centre, based at the Churchill Hospital in Headington, hopes to recruit 40 men between the age of 18 and 60 with the metabolic disorder.

Type 2 diabetes sufferers have low testosterone levels, which leaves them at higher risk of developing heart-related diseases.

Diabetes consultant Dr Jyothis George hopes that a natural hormone kisspeptin will help restore normal testosterone levels.

Dr George said: “Men with diabetes have low testosterone in the blood and that leads to a number of problems and they are more likely to develop heart problems.

“Symptoms are patients are not as interested in sex, they’re more tired and have less energy to do exercise.

“We know that diabetes sufferers have a shorter life expectancy of at least five years, and some of that could be related to low testosterone.”

The new study is being supported by the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre.

About 20 people have already been involved with the trial, but twice as many volunteers are needed.

Volunteers will be monitored for four to six weeks after receiving a hormone injection, with regular blood tests and further injections. They are paid between £1,900 and £2,700 after finishing the study, and travel expenses are also reimbursed.

Teacher Phil Bacon, 59, from Marston, recently completed the study.

He has had diabetes for a year, and hopes that his involvement in the study will help further treatment of the condition.

HeThe 59-year-old said: “I was one of the first people to be involved in the study.

“When I did it Dr George found that the hormone reacted well with my blood and they just monitored me to check how the hormone was reacting.

“My arm was a bit black and blue but it didn’t really affect me.

“What I’d say to men thinking about being involved in the study is that it’s important for us to be involved in finding treatments for the disease.”

“What I’ve done may have a direct impact on how I am treated for low testosterone.”

If you fit the criteria and are interested in being involved in the trial, call Jo Milton on 01865 857246 or email volunteers@dtu.ox.ac.uk