title: Effects of oral administration of androstenedione on plasma androgens in young women using hormonal contraception.
abstract: Androstenedione as a dietary supplement has been targeted at the sporting community, but there are limited data regarding its effects on plasma androgens in young women. A double-blind, cross-over study was undertaken involving 10 women (20-32 yr) using hormonal contraception. Because contamination of supplements has been reported, an in-house oral formulation was prepared containing purified androstenedione, the control being lactose only. After oral administration of a single dose of androstenedione (100 mg), blood was collected frequently up to 8 h and at 24 h. Maximum plasma androgen concentrations observed between volunteers were well above the upper limit of reference ranges for women, being 121-346 nmol/liter for androstenedione, 14-54 nmol/liter for testosterone (T), 11-32 nmol/liter for 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, and 23-90 nmol/liter for 3alpha-androstanediol glucuronide. The free androgen index and T concentration changed in a similar manner. The mean change in area under the plasma concentration-time curve (0-24 h), compared with control data were: androstenedione approximately 7-fold, T approximately 16-fold, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone approximately 9-fold, and 3alpha-androstanediol glucuronide approximately 5-fold; the mean conversion ratio of androstenedione to T was 12.5% (range 7.8-21.6%). Increases in T area under the plasma concentration-time curve were correlated with SHBG concentration (r = 0.80; P = 0.005). Formulation characteristics and SHBG levels appear to be important factors when considering plasma androgen increases after acute androstenedione administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Science and Drug Monitoring (Drug Control Centre), King's College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bassindale
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: Sian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hutt
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Leeds
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Kicman
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019540:Area Under Curve; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007785:Lactose / Q000494:pharmacology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; C028895:androstane-3,17-diol glucuronide; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D007785:Lactose