title: Systemic effects of transdermal testosterone for the treatment of microphallus in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the metabolic effects of topical testosterone for the treatment of microphallus in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We administered 5% testosterone ointment to 50 prepubertal boys for the treatment of microphallus, allowing us to observe its metabolic effect on plasma concentrations of testosterone as a marker of transdermally absorbed testosterone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I as a marker of growth hormone secretion status, and osteocalcin as a marker of bone metabolic turnover.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transdermal application of testosterone for 30 days at a dose that affects penile growth increased mean (+/-SD) plasma testosterone concentrations from 7.5+/-5.1 to 31.0+/-8.2 ng/dL (pre- vs. post-treatment, respectively; P<0.01). This was associated with a slight but statistically significant elevation of IGF-I concentrations (117.2+/-76.9 vs. 154.4+/-81.5 ng/mL; P<0.05). No significant change in osteocalcin levels was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When using testosterone ointment as a treatment for microphallus, it should be borne in mind that this application has systemic effects.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu, Japan.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Arisaka
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hoshi
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kanazawa
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Nakajima
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Numata
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Nishikura
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Oyama
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Nitta
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kuribayashi
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Kano
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Nakayama
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Yamashiro
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007223:Infant; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015675:Osteocalcin; D013739:Testosterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I