Plasma levels of dihydrotestosterone remain in the normal range in men treated with long-acting parenteral testosterone undecanoate.
The major goal of androgen therapy is to achieve testosterone levels as close to physiological concentrations as possible. For some androgen-dependent functions, testosterone is a pro-hormone, peripherally converted to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17beta-oestradiol of which the levels preferably should also be within their normal physiological ranges. In this study, the resulting plasma DHT levels in 122 hypogonadal men treated with a novel testosterone treatment modality: parenteral long-acting testosterone undecanoate (Nebido), were investigated. Following the treatment, there were no abnormally high/low plasma DHT levels; levels varied between 86 and 511 ng l(-1) (normal range: 40-575 ng l(-1)). In conclusion, treatment with testosterone undecanoate generates physiological levels of DHT. Prostate safety parameters did not undergo changes.
Yassin
A A
AA
Clinic of Urology and Andrology, Segeberger Kliniken, Norderstedt, Hamburg, Germany. yassin@t-online.de
Saad
F
F
D000368:Aged; D001378:Azasteroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068538:Dutasteride; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001378:Azasteroids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; C010792:testosterone undecanoate; D000068538:Dutasteride