Androstenedione does not stimulate muscle protein anabolism in young healthy men

Androstenedione is the immediate precursor of testosterone. Androstenedione intake has been speculated to increase plasma testosterone levels and muscle anabolism. Thus, androstenedione supplements have become widely popular in the sport community to improve performance. This study was designed to d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2000, Vol.85 (1), p.55-59
Main Authors: RASMUSSEN, B. B, VOLPI, E, GORE, D. C, WOLFE, R. R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anabolic Agents - pharmacology
Androstenedione - administration & dosage
Androstenedione - pharmacology
Biological and medical sciences
Estradiol - blood
Female
Genital system. Reproduction
Humans
Infusions, Intravenous
Leg - blood supply
Luteinizing Hormone - blood
Male
Medical sciences
Muscle Proteins - biosynthesis
Muscle, Skeletal - drug effects
Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Phenylalanine - blood
Regional Blood Flow - physiology
Testosterone - blood
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Summary:Androstenedione is the immediate precursor of testosterone. Androstenedione intake has been speculated to increase plasma testosterone levels and muscle anabolism. Thus, androstenedione supplements have become widely popular in the sport community to improve performance. This study was designed to determine whether 5 days of oral androstenedione (100 mg/day) supplementation increases skeletal muscle anabolism. Six healthy young men were studied before the treatment period and after 5 days of oral androstenedione supplementation. Muscle protein turnover parameters were compared to those of a control group studied twice as well and receiving no treatment. We measured muscle protein kinetics using a three-compartment model involving infusion of L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine, blood sampling from femoral artery and vein, and muscle biopsies. Plasma testosterone, androstenedione, LH, and estradiol concentrations were determined by RIA. After ingestion of oral androstenedione, plasma testosterone and LH concentrations did not change from basal, whereas plasma androstenedione and estradiol concentrations were significantly increased (P
ISSN:0021-972X
1945-7197
DOI:10.1210/jc.85.1.55