Treatment with oxandrolone and the durability of effects in older men

Treatment with oxandrolone and the durability of effects in older men / E. Todd Schroeder, Ling Zheng, Kevin E. Yarasheski, Dajun Qian, Yolanda Stewart, Carla Flores, Carmen Martinez, Michael Terk, Fred R. Sattler. - (Journal of Applied Physiology 96 (2004) 3 (March); p. 1055-1062)

  • PMID: 14578370
  • DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00808.2003

Abstract

We investigated the effects of the anabolic androgen, oxandrolone, on lean body mass (LBM), muscle size, fat, and maximum voluntary muscle strength, and we determined the durability of effects after treatment was stopped. Thirty-two healthy 60- to 87-yr-old men were randomized to receive 20 mg oxandrolone/day (n = 20) or placebo (n = 12) for 12 wk. Body composition [dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), magnetic resonance imaging, and (2)H(2)O dilution] and muscle strength [1 repetition maximum (1 RM)] were evaluated at baseline and after 12 wk of treatment; body composition (DEXA) and 1-RM strength were then assessed 12 wk after treatment was discontinued (week 24). At week 12, oxandrolone increased LBM by 3.0 +/- 1.5 kg (P < 0.001), total body water by 2.9 +/- 3.7 kg (P = 0.002), and proximal thigh muscle area by 12.4 +/- 8.4 cm(2) (P < 0.001); these increases were greater (P < 0.003) than in the placebo group. Oxandrolone increased 1-RM strength for leg press by 6.7 +/- 6.4% (P < 0.001), leg flexion by 7.0 +/- 7.8% (P < 0.001), chest press by 9.3 +/- 6.7% (P < 0.001), and latissimus pull-down exercises by 5.1 +/- 9.1% (P = 0.02); these increases were greater than placebo. Oxandrolone reduced total (-1.9 +/- 1.0 kg) and trunk fat (-1.3 +/- 0.6 kg; P < 0.001), and these decreases were greater (P < 0.001) than placebo. Twelve weeks after oxandrolone was discontinued (week 24), the increments in LBM and muscle strength were no longer different from baseline (P > 0.15). However, the decreases in total and trunk fat were sustained (-1.5 +/- 1.8, P = 0.001 and -1.0 +/- 1.1 kg, P < 0.001, respectively). Thus oxandrolone induced short-term improvements in LBM, muscle area, and strength, while reducing whole body and trunk adiposity. Anabolic improvements were lost 12 wk after discontinuing oxandrolone, whereas improvements in fat mass were largely sustained.

Original document

Parameters

Science
Research / Study
Date
1 March 2004
People
Flores, Carla
Martinez, Carmen
Qian, Dajun
Sattler, Fred R.
Schroeder, E. Todd
Stewart, Yolanda
Terk, Michael
Yarasheski, Kevin E.
Zheng, Ling
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Other organisations
University of Southern California (USC)
Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM)
Doping classes
S1. Anabolic Agents
Substances
Oxandrolone
Medical terms
Health effects
Legitimate Medical Treatment
Substance use research
Document category
Scientific article
Document type
Pdf file
Date generated
5 November 2020
Date of last modification
19 November 2020
Category
  • Legal Source
  • Education
  • Science
  • Statistics
  • History
Country & language
  • Country
  • Language
Other filters
  • ADRV
  • Legal Terms
  • Sport/IFs
  • Other organisations
  • Laboratories
  • Analytical aspects
  • Doping classes
  • Substances
  • Medical terms
  • Various
  • Version
  • Document category
  • Document type
Publication period
Origin