Measurement of androgen and estrogen receptors in breast tissue from subjects with anabolic steroid-dependent gynecomastia.
In order to assess the relationship between anabolic steroid administration and gynecomastia, we studied the effects produced by administering nandrolone decanoate and a mixture of propionate, phenilpropionate, isocaproate and testosterone decanoate to bodybuilders during a six month period. The following significant changes occurred: a 53% reduction in serum testosterone; LH and FSH levels were suppressed to 77% and 87%, respectively, in comparison to control values; and although 45% of the subjects showed an increase in serum estradiol levels, no statistically significant differences were found compared with control estradiol levels. With regard to estradiol and androgen receptors, 85% of gynecomastia tissue contained estradiol or androgen receptors, while 40% contained both. The mean values of estradiol and androgen receptors in the cytosol were 65 +/- 10 and 52 +/- 5 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Nuclear androgen and estradiol receptor levels were 33 +/- 7 and 67.5 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The presence of hormone receptors in gynecomastia receptive cells provides support for the hypothesis that gynecomastia is steroid-dependent.
Calzada
L
L
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Medicina Reproductiva, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México DF. leo_calzada@yahoo.com
Torres-Calleja
J
J
Martinez
J M
JM
Pedrón
N
N
D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001940:Breast / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000009:adverse effects; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D009277:Nandrolone