title: Endocrine profile in patients with chronic renal failure under zinc replacement.
abstract: The plasma levels of androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin (PRL) were studied in 15 men (aged 24-50 years) with chronic renal failure under periodic peritoneal dialysis, before and after 50 mg of elemental zinc (Zn) orally, twice a day for three weeks. Before treatment, they were divided into three groups: group I, plasma A above normal and PRL less than 100 ng/ml; group II, low or normal A levels with PRL less than 100 ng/ml; and group III, normal or high A levels with PRL greater than 100 ng/ml. After oral Zn, plasma FSH, LH, and PRL were unchanged in all groups; however, in groups I and II plasma A was within normal T and DHT rose significantly, the A/(T+DHT) ratio decreased to normal, and the T/DHT ratio rose above normal. In group III plasma androgens remained low and androgen ratios were unchanged. Oral Zn seems to improve the conversion of A to T and also uncovered the possibility that plasma PRL levels greater than 100 ng/ml might cause a blockade in the 5 alfa-reductase.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D011388:Prolactin; D015032:Zinc