Changes in the plasma pattern of sex steroids in patients with liver cirrhosis treated with mepartricin.
Mepartricin was given to cirrhotic patients in order to evaluate its effect on the imbalance of sex steroids which is typical of this disorder. Patients were divided into two group: one group received placebo (n = 19) and the other received 150,000 IU/day mepartricin for 30 days (n = 19). The patients were evaluated by separate medical staff who were unaware of the treatment. Mepartricin significantly decreased the plasma concentration of testosterone, oestradiol and prolactin as compared with the values at the start of the trial, while no significant changes were seen in the occurrence of gynaecomastia. No relevant changes were seen in patients receiving the control, except for a slight increase in the peripheral concentration of androstenedione, aldosterone and follicle stimulating hormone.
Tavanti
A
A
Department of Gastroenterology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Delle Monache
M
M
Ulissi
A
A
Del Vecchio
S
S
Rapocci
M A
MA
Ruozi
P
P
De Bernardi
M
M
Ricci
G L
GL
D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008613:Mepartricin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011090:Polyenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D011090:Polyenes; D008613:Mepartricin; D000450:Aldosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone