Changes in body composition in women treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists.
OBJECTIVE
The changes that agonists of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) produce in mineral bone mass are known, but, as far as we know, those produced by these agents in other body compartments are unknown.


METHODS
We studied these changes using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 50 eugonadal women treated with decapeptyl (Triptoreline), 3.75 mg injected intramuscularly, at 28-day intervals for 6 months.


RESULTS
There were significant increases in fat content (9.5%, P < 0.0005) and weight (1.3%, P < 0.01), and significant decreases in fat-free mass (-1.9%, P < 0.0001) and water content (-1.8%, P < 0.0002). Bone mass was lost in the axial skeleton (-3.6%, P < 0.0001) but not in the peripheral skeleton.


CONCLUSIONS
The changes induced in body composition by the GnRH agonists are similar to those of natural menopause.
Revilla
R
R
Department of Medicine, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares University, Madrid, Spain.
Revilla
M
M
Villa
L F
LF
Cortés
J
J
Arribas
I
I
Rico
H
H
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000494:pharmacology*
D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone