Effects of an oral androgen on muscle and metabolism in older, community-dwelling men.
To determine whether oxymetholone increases lean body mass (LBM) and skeletal muscle strength in older persons, 31 men 65-80 yr of age were randomized to placebo (group 1) or 50 mg (group 2) or 100 mg (group 3) daily for 12 wk. For the three groups, total LBM increased by 0.0 +/- 0.6, 3.3 +/- 1.2 (P < 0.001), and 4.2 +/- 2.4 kg (P < 0.001), respectively. Trunk fat decreased by 0.2 +/- 0.4, 1.7 +/- 1.0 (P = 0.018), and 2.2 +/- 0.9 kg (P = 0.005) in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Relative increases in 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength for biaxial chest press of 8.2 +/- 9.2 and 13.9 +/- 8.1% in the two active treatment groups were significantly different from the change (-0.8 +/- 4.3%) for the placebo group (P < 0.03). For lat pull-down, 1-RM changed by -0.6 +/- 8.3, 8.8 +/- 15.1, and 18.4 +/- 21.0% for the groups, respectively (1-way ANOVA, P = 0.019). The pattern of changes among the groups for LBM and upper-body strength suggested that changes might be related to dose. Alanine aminotransferase increased by 72 +/- 67 U/l in group 3 (P < 0.001), and HDL-cholesterol decreased by -19 +/- 9 and -23 +/- 18 mg/dl in groups 2 and 3, respectively (P = 0.04 and P = 0.008). Thus oxymetholone improved LBM and maximal voluntary muscle strength and decreased fat mass in older men.
Schroeder
E Todd
ET
Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Singh
Atam
A
Bhasin
Shalender
S
Storer
Thomas W
TW
Azen
Colleen
C
Davidson
Tina
T
Martinez
Carmen
C
Sinha-Hikim
Indrani
I
Jaque
S Victoria
SV
Terk
Michael
M
Sattler
Fred R
FR
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005215:Fasting; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010110:Oxymetholone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010919:Placebos; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D010110:Oxymetholone