Effect of 5-alpha-reductase inhibition on sex-hormone-binding globulin in elderly men.
In this study we examined the possibility that chronic reduction in serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) attained by pharmacologic inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase modulates serum sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in elderly men. Twenty-one men, ages 58-79 years (mean 66) with benign prostatic hypertrophy were treated with the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride (5 mg daily) for 12 months. Serum DHT declined by 80% (p < 0.001) and total testosterone rose by 14% (p < 0.05). Serum SHBG concentration remained unchanged (44.1 +/- 4.5 vs 45.2 +/- 5.7 nmol/l for pre- and post-therapy levels, respectively). Thus, the conversion of testosterone to DHT is not required to maintain the androgenic effect on serum SHBG concentration in elderly men.
Jaffe
A
A
Institute of Endocrinology, Sourasky-Tel Aviv Medical Center, Ichilov Hospital, Israel.
Matzkin
H
H
Gilad
S
S
Stern
N
N
D000368:Aged; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D018120:Finasteride / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D018120:Finasteride; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase