title: Use of androgens in patients who have HIV/AIDS: what we know about the effect of androgens on wasting and lipodystrophy.
abstract: Decreases in energy, sense of well-being, libido, muscle strength, and muscle mass occur often in patients who have chronic diseases, such as HIV infection. When these symptoms were first recognized in HIV-positive patients, they were thought to be manifestations of HIV infection but may possibly be associated with hypogonadism. Most HIV-infected patients who have hypogonadism have secondary or central hypogonadism, not primary testicular failure. In HIV-infected hypogonadal men, administration of testosterone appears to increase fat-free mass, muscle mass, and quality of life (increased libido, erectile function, and sense of well-being). Similarly, anabolic steroid hormones appear to increase lean body weight and decrease fat content. Although androgens have been used for the treatment of HIV-related wasting and for hypogonadism, many questions remain unanswered, including those regarding the long-term effects, if any, of suppression of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, as well as the long-term possibilities of malignancy of the prostate and of hepatocellular cancer. Appropriate doses of the various preparations of testosterone and anabolic steroids have not been determined.
authors.affiliation: University of California at San Francisco, School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abrams
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019247:HIV Wasting Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D039682:HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone