title: The effect of 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy on muscle and fat mass in older men with localized prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate body composition changes, specifically skeletal muscle mass, in men receiving androgen deprivation with luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone-agonist (LHRH-A) for prostate cancer (PCa) in comparison with healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of body composition changes in men with prostate cancer receiving LHRH-A therapy from 2 clinical trials compared to men without prostate cancer serving as a placebo-control in another clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical Research Center in Connecticut.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty men (> 60 years) receiving 6 months of LHRH-A therapy for PCa were compared to a healthy group of 25 men without PCa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Appendicular skeletal muscle/height2 (ASM/ht2), lean and fat mass were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Total testosterone levels were assessed by enzyme immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, 12/30 (40%) of the treatment group and 7/25 (28%) of the control group (p = 0.11) met criteria for sarcopenia. There were no differences between control groups in ASM/ht2 or lean mass. The LHRH-A group had a higher percent body fat than the control group, 29.8 +/- 6.3 versus 26.3 +/- 4.6 (p = 0.02). ASM/ht2 and lean mass decreased in the LHRH-A group from 7.5 +/- 0.9 kg to 7.3 +/- 0.9 kg (-2.3% +/- 0.03; p < or = 0.001) and 53.5 +/- 5.4 kg to 52.3 +/- 5.3 kg (-2.1% +/- 0.03; p < or = 0.001), respectively. There was no muscle loss in the control group. At 6 months, the LHRH-A group had increased percent body fat from 29.8 +/- 6.4 to 32.2 +/- 5.8 (9.5% +/- 0.13; p < or = 0.001), whereas the control group had decreased in percent body fat from 26.6 +/- 4.6 to 25.3 +/- 5.0 (-3.8% +/- 0.08; p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men undergoing LHRH-A treatment for PCa decreased appendicular skeletal muscle and lean tissue and increased body fat within 6 months of initiation of therapy. Lifestyle changes or medical interventions to minimize the effects of androgen deprivation therapy for PCa deserve investigation.
authors.affiliation: Center on Aging, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-5215, USA.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Boxer
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dowsett
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taxel
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects*; D000368:Aged; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000187:drug effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone