Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 81, 2198-2203, Copyright © 1996 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Exogenous androgens influence body composition and regional body fat distribution in obese postmenopausal women--a clinical research center study

JC Lovejoy, GA Bray, MO Bourgeois, R Macchiavelli, JC Rood, C Greeson and C Partington
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA. lovejoj@mhs.pbrc.edu

Abdominal fat distribution is influenced by androgen levels in both men and women. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects on fat distribution of administering nandrolone decanoate (ND; an anabolic steroid with weak androgenic activity) or spironolactone (SP; an antiandrogen) in obese postmenopausal women. The design was a randomized, placebo-controlled, 9-month trial with simultaneous calorie restriction for weight loss. Women in all three groups lost comparable amounts of weight, but the ND-treated women gained lean mass relative to the other two groups (P < 0.0005) and lost more body fat than women in the SP group (P < 0.01). The resting metabolic rate also increased slightly in the ND group. ND treatment produced a gain in visceral fat, as determined by computed tomography scan, and a relatively greater loss of sc abdominal fat. SP-treated women lost significantly less sc fat than the other two groups. Serum cholesterol decreased in the placebo group, but increased slightly in the other two groups (significant for SP vs. placebo, P < 0.05). High density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly in the ND-treated women. There were no significant changes in fasting glucose or insulin sensitivity. We conclude that administration of exogenous androgens modulates body composition in obese postmenopausal women and independently affects visceral and sc abdominal fat.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. H. Golden, A. S. Dobs, D. Vaidya, M. Szklo, S. Gapstur, P. Kopp, K. Liu, and P. Ouyang Endogenous Sex Hormones and Glucose Tolerance Status in Postmenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2007; 92(4): 1289 - 1295. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Gambineri, L. Patton, A. Vaccina, M. Cacciari, A. M. Morselli-Labate, C. Cavazza, U. Pagotto, and R. Pasquali Treatment with Flutamide, Metformin, and Their Combination Added to a Hypocaloric Diet in Overweight-Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, 12-Month, Placebo-Controlled Study J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2006; 91(10): 3970 - 3980. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. E. Wierman, R. Basson, S. R. Davis, S. Khosla, K. K. Miller, W. Rosner, and N. Santoro Androgen Therapy in Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2006; 91(10): 3697 - 3710. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H.F. Escobar-Morreale, G. Villuendas, J.I. Botella-Carretero, F. Alvarez-Blasco, R. Sanchon, M. Luque-Ramirez, and J.L. San Millan Adiponectin and resistin in PCOS: a clinical, biochemical and molecular genetic study Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2006; 21(9): 2257 - 2265. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M R Graham, F M Grace, W Boobier, D Hullin, A Kicman, D Cowan, B Davies, and J S Baker Homocysteine induced cardiovascular events: a consequence of long term anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse Br. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2006; 40(7): 644 - 648. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K. Miller, B. M. K. Biller, C. Beauregard, J. G. Lipman, J. Jones, D. Schoenfeld, J. C. Sherman, B. Swearingen, J. Loeffler, and A. Klibanski Effects of Testosterone Replacement in Androgen-Deficient Women with Hypopituitarism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2006; 91(5): 1683 - 1690. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. L. Ding, Y. Song, V. S. Malik, and S. Liu Sex Differences of Endogenous Sex Hormones and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis JAMA, March 15, 2006; 295(11): 1288 - 1299. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Arlt Androgen therapy in women Eur. J. Endocrinol., January 1, 2006; 154(1): 1 - 11. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. M C. S M Leao, M. P. C Duarte, D. M. B Silva, P. R. V Bahia, C. M. Coeli, and M. L. F. de Farias Influence of methyltestosterone postmenopausal therapy on plasma lipids, inflammatory factors, glucose metabolism and visceral fat: a randomized study Eur. J. Endocrinol., January 1, 2006; 154(1): 131 - 139. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Mulligan, R. Zackin, R. A. Clark, B. Alston-Smith, T. Liu, F. R. Sattler, T. B. Delvers, J. S. Currier, and for the AIDS Clinical Trials Group 329 Study Team Effect of Nandrolone Decanoate Therapy on Weight and Lean Body Mass in HIV-Infected Women With Weight Loss: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Trial Arch Intern Med, March 14, 2005; 165(5): 578 - 585. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K. Miller, K. A. Grieco, and A. Klibanski Testosterone Administration in Women with Anorexia Nervosa J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2005; 90(3): 1428 - 1433. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Ibanez and F. de Zegher Flutamide-Metformin Therapy to Reduce Fat Mass in Hyperinsulinemic Ovarian Hyperandrogenism: Effects in Adolescents and in Women on Third-Generation Oral Contraception J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2003; 88(10): 4720 - 4724. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. S. Gavaler and E. Rosenblum Predictors of Postmenopausal Body Mass Index and Waist Hip Ratio in the Oklahoma Postmenopausal Health Disparities Study J. Am. Coll. Nutr., August 1, 2003; 22(4): 269 - 276. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Ibanez, K. Ong, A. Ferrer, R. Amin, D. Dunger, and F. de Zegher Low-Dose Flutamide-Metformin Therapy Reverses Insulin Resistance and Reduces Fat Mass in Nonobese Adolescents with Ovarian Hyperandrogenism J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2003; 88(6): 2600 - 2606. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. C. W. Wu and A. von Eckardstein Androgens and Coronary Artery Disease Endocr. Rev., April 1, 2003; 24(2): 183 - 217. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. M. Kalish, E. Barrett-Connor, G. A. Laughlin, and B. I. Gulanski Association of Endogenous Sex Hormones and Insulin Resistance among Postmenopausal Women: Results from the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Intervention Trial J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2003; 88(4): 1646 - 1652. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. P. Goldstone, E. L. Thomas, A. E. Brynes, J. D. Bell, G. Frost, N. Saeed, J. V. Hajnal, J. K. Howard, A. Holland, and S. R. Bloom Visceral Adipose Tissue and Metabolic Complications of Obesity Are Reduced in Prader-Willi Syndrome Female Adults: Evidence for Novel Influences on Body Fat Distribution J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2001; 86(9): 4330 - 4338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Douchi, T. Oki, H. Yamasaki, R. Kuwahata, M. Nakae, and Y. Nagata Relationship of Androgens to Muscle Size and Bone Mineral Density in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Obstet. Gynecol., September 1, 2001; 98(3): 445 - 449. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K. Miller Androgen Deficiency in Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2001; 86(6): 2395 - 2401. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Pasquali, A. Gambineri, D. Biscotti, V. Vicennati, L. Gagliardi, D. Colitta, S. Fiorini, G. E. Cognigni, M. Filicori, and A. M. Morselli-Labate Effect of Long-Term Treatment with Metformin Added to Hypocaloric Diet on Body Composition, Fat Distribution, and Androgen and Insulin Levels in Abdominally Obese Women with and without the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2000; 85(8): 2767 - 2774. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G.M.C. Rosano Androgens and coronary artery disease. A sex-specific effect of sex hormones? Eur. Heart J., June 1, 2000; 21(11): 868 - 871. [PDF]

				M. Niklasson, P. Daneryd, P. Lonnroth, and A. Holmang Effects of exercise on insulin distribution and action in testosterone-treated oophorectomized female rats J Appl Physiol, June 1, 2000; 88(6): 2116 - 2122. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. Bray and F. L. Greenway Current and Potential Drugs for Treatment of Obesity Endocr. Rev., December 1, 1999; 20(6): 805 - 875. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				L. Poretsky, N. A. Cataldo, Z. Rosenwaks, and L. C. Giudice The Insulin-Related Ovarian Regulatory System in Health and Disease Endocr. Rev., August 1, 1999; 20(4): 535 - 582. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Rosenbaum and R. L. Leibel Role of Gonadal Steroids in the Sexual Dimorphisms in Body Composition and Circulating Concentrations of Leptin J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 1999; 84(6): 1784 - 1789. [Full Text]

				J. M. H. Elbers, H. Asscheman, J. C. Seidell, and L. J. G. Gooren Effects of sex steroid hormones on regional fat depots as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in transsexuals Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, February 1, 1999; 276(2): E317 - E325. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Diamanti-Kandarakis, A. Mitrakou, S. Raptis, G. Tolis, and A. J. Duleba The Effect of a Pure Antiandrogen Receptor Blocker, Flutamide, on the Lipid Profile in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 1998; 83(8): 2699 - 2705. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				K. Miller, C. Corcoran, C. Armstrong, K. Caramelli, E. Anderson, D. Cotton, N. Basgoz, L. Hirschhorn, R. Tuomala, D. Schoenfeld, et al. Transdermal Testosterone Administration in Women with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Wasting: A Pilot Study J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 1998; 83(8): 2717 - 2725. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				I. Sinha-Hikim, S. Arver, G. Beall, R. Shen, M. Guerrero, F. Sattler, C. Shikuma, J. C. Nelson, B.-M. Landgren, N. A. Mazer, et al. The Use of a Sensitive Equilibrium Dialysis Method for the Measurement of Free Testosterone Levels in Healthy, Cycling Women and in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 1998; 83(4): 1312 - 1318. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. M. H. Elbers, H. Asscheman, J. C. Seidell, J. A. J. Megens, and L. J. G. Gooren Long-Term Testosterone Administration Increases Visceral Fat in Female to Male Transsexuals J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 1997; 82(7): 2044 - 2047. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Grinspoon, C. Corcoran, K. Miller, B. M. K. Biller, H. Askari, E. Wang, J. Hubbard, E. J. Anderson, N. Basgoz, H. M. Heller, et al. Body Composition and Endocrine Function in Women with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Wasting J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 1997; 82(5): 1332 - 1337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. B. Phillips, B. H. Pinkernell, and T.-Y. Jing Relationship Between Serum Sex Hormones and Coronary Artery Disease in Postmenopausal Women Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., April 1, 1997; 17(4): 695 - 701. [Abstract] [Full Text]