help button home button Endocrine Society JCEM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism , doi:10.1210/jc.2004-1184
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Bhasin, S.
Right arrow Articles by Storer, T. W.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Bhasin, S.
Right arrow Articles by Storer, T. W.
Related Collections
Right arrow Male Endocrinology
Right arrow Metabolism
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 90, No. 2 678-688
Copyright © 2005 by The Endocrine Society

Older Men Are as Responsive as Young Men to the Anabolic Effects of Graded Doses of Testosterone on the Skeletal Muscle

Shalender Bhasin, Linda Woodhouse, Richard Casaburi, Atam B. Singh, Ricky Phong Mac, Martin Lee, Kevin E. Yarasheski, Indrani Sinha-Hikim, Connie Dzekov, Jeanne Dzekov, Lynne Magliano and Thomas W. Storer

Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (S.B., L.W., A.B.S., R.P.M., M.L., I.S.-H., C.D., J.D., L.M., T.W.S.), Los Angeles, California 90059; Division of Respiratory Diseases, Pulmonary Physiology, and Critical Care Medicine, Harbor-University of California-Los Angeles Medical Center (R.C.), Torrance, California 90502; Laboratory for Exercise Science, El Camino College (T.W.S.), Torrance, California 90502; and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine (K.E.Y.), St. Louis, Missouri 63110

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Shalender Bhasin, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90059. E-mail: sbhasin{at}ucla.edu.

Although testosterone levels and muscle mass decline with age, many older men have serum testosterone level in the normal range, leading to speculation about whether older men are less sensitive to testosterone. We determined the responsiveness of androgen-dependent outcomes to graded testosterone doses in older men and compared it to that in young men. The participants in this randomized, double-blind trial were 60 ambulatory, healthy, older men, 60–75 yr of age, who had normal serum testosterone levels. Their responses to graded doses of testosterone were compared with previous data in 61 men, 19–35 yr old. The participants received a long-acting GnRH agonist to suppress endogenous testosterone production and 25, 50, 125, 300, or 600 mg testosterone enanthate weekly for 20 wk. Fat-free mass, fat mass, muscle strength, sexual function, mood, visuospatial cognition, hormone levels, and safety measures were evaluated before, during, and after treatment. Of 60 older men who were randomized, 52 completed the study. After adjusting for testosterone dose, changes in serum total testosterone (change, –6.8, –1.9, +16.1, +49.5, and +101.9 nmol/liter at 25, 50, 125, 300, and 600 mg/wk, respectively) and hemoglobin (change, –3.6, +9.9, +20.9, +12.6, and +29.4 g/liter at 25, 50, 125, 300, and 600 mg/wk, respectively) levels were dose-related in older men and significantly greater in older men than young men (each P < 0.0001). The changes in FFM (–0.3, +1.7, +4.2, +5.6, and +7.3 kg, respectively, in five ascending dose groups) and muscle strength in older men were correlated with testosterone dose and concentrations and were not significantly different in young and older men. Changes in fat mass correlated inversely with testosterone dose (r = –0.54; P < 0.001) and were significantly different in young vs. older men (P < 0.0001); young men receiving 25- and 50-mg doses gained more fat mass than older men (P < 0.0001). Mood and visuospatial cognition did not change significantly in either group. Frequency of hematocrit greater than 54%, leg edema, and prostate events were numerically higher in older men than in young men. Older men are as responsive as young men to testosterone’s anabolic effects; however, older men have lower testosterone clearance rates, higher increments in hemoglobin, and a higher frequency of adverse effects. Although substantial gains in muscle mass and strength can be realized in older men with supraphysiological testosterone doses, these high doses are associated with a high frequency of adverse effects. The best trade-off was achieved with a testosterone dose (125 mg) that was associated with high normal testosterone levels, low frequency of adverse events, and significant gains in fat-free mass and muscle strength.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Integr. Comp. Biol.Home page
C. J. Leary
Hormones and acoustic communication in anuran amphibians
Integr. Comp. Biol., May 22, 2009; (2009) icp027v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur J EndocrinolHome page
J.-J. Legros, E. J H Meuleman, J. M H Elbers, T B P. Geurts, M. J G H Kaspers, P. M G Bouloux, and for the Study 43203 Investigators
Oral testosterone replacement in symptomatic late-onset hypogonadism: effects on rating scales and general safety in a randomized, placebo-controlled study
Eur. J. Endocrinol., May 1, 2009; 160(5): 821 - 831.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
J. D. Veldhuis and C. Y. Bowers
Determinants of GH-releasing hormone and GH-releasing peptide synergy in men
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, May 1, 2009; 296(5): E1085 - E1092.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med SciHome page
Working Group on Functional Outcome Measures for C
Indications, Labeling, and Outcomes Assessment for Drugs Aimed at Improving Functional Status in Older Persons: A Conversation Between Aging Researchers and FDA Regulators
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, April 1, 2009; 64A(4): 487 - 491.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
I. M Chapman, R. Visvanathan, A. J Hammond, J. E Morley, J. B. Field, K. Tai, D. P Belobrajdic, R. Y. Chen, and M. Horowitz
Effect of testosterone and a nutritional supplement, alone and in combination, on hospital admissions in undernourished older men and women
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2009; 89(3): 880 - 889.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 FASEB J.Home page
G. C. Henderson, K. Dhatariya, G. C. Ford, K. A. Klaus, R. Basu, R. A. Rizza, M. D. Jensen, S. Khosla, P. O'Brien, and K. S. Nair
Higher muscle protein synthesis in women than men across the lifespan, and failure of androgen administration to amend age-related decrements
FASEB J, February 1, 2009; 23(2): 631 - 641.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
J. F. Yarrow, C. F. Conover, A. V. Purandare, A. M. Bhakta, N. Zheng, B. Conrad, M. K. Altman, S. E. Franz, T. J. Wronski, and S. E. Borst
Supraphysiological testosterone enanthate administration prevents bone loss and augments bone strength in gonadectomized male and female rats
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2008; 295(5): E1213 - E1222.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical SciencesHome page
B. C. Clark and T. M. Manini
Sarcopenia != Dynapenia
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., August 1, 2008; 63(8): 829 - 834.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 FASEB J.Home page
H. E. MacLean, W. S. M. Chiu, A. J. Notini, A.-M. Axell, R. A. Davey, J. F. McManus, C. Ma, D. R. Plant, G. S. Lynch, and J. D. Zajac
Impaired skeletal muscle development and function in male, but not female, genomic androgen receptor knockout mice
FASEB J, August 1, 2008; 22(8): 2676 - 2689.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Adv. Physiol. Educ.Home page
M. Brown
Skeletal muscle and bone: effect of sex steroids and aging
Advan Physiol Educ, June 1, 2008; 32(2): 120 - 126.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
P. E. Knapp, T. W. Storer, K. L. Herbst, A. B. Singh, C. Dzekov, J. Dzekov, M. LaValley, A. Zhang, J. Ulloor, and S. Bhasin
Effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone on physical function, muscle performance, mood, and fatigue in men with HIV-associated weight loss
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, June 1, 2008; 294(6): E1135 - E1143.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
A. D. Coviello, B. Kaplan, K. M. Lakshman, T. Chen, A. B. Singh, and S. Bhasin
Effects of Graded Doses of Testosterone on Erythropoiesis in Healthy Young and Older Men
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2008; 93(3): 914 - 919.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Diabetes CareHome page
M. Fukui, M. Tanaka, G. Hasegawa, T. Yoshikawa, and N. Nakamura
Association Between Serum Bioavailable Testosterone Concentration and the Ratio of Glycated Albumin to Glycated Hemoglobin in Men With Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes Care, March 1, 2008; 31(3): 397 - 401.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical SciencesHome page
Functional Outcomes for Clinical Trials in Frail Older Persons: Time To Be Moving: Working Group on Functional Outcome Measures for Clinical Trials
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., February 1, 2008; 63(2): 160 - 164.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
C. A. Allan, B. J. G. Strauss, H. G. Burger, E. A. Forbes, and R. I. McLachlan
Testosterone Therapy Prevents Gain in Visceral Adipose Tissue and Loss of Skeletal Muscle in Nonobese Aging Men
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2008; 93(1): 139 - 146.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
M. Zitzmann and E. Nieschlag
Androgen Receptor Gene CAG Repeat Length and Body Mass Index Modulate the Safety of Long-Term Intramuscular Testosterone Undecanoate Therapy in Hypogonadal Men
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2007; 92(10): 3844 - 3853.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
S. E. Borst, C. F. Conover, C. S. Carter, C. M. Gregory, E. Marzetti, C. Leeuwenburgh, K. Vandenborne, and T. J. Wronski
Anabolic effects of testosterone are preserved during inhibition of 5{alpha}-reductase
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, August 1, 2007; 293(2): E507 - E514.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
T. L. Nielsen, C. Hagen, K. Wraae, K. Brixen, P. H. Petersen, E. Haug, R. Larsen, and M. Andersen
Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Relation to Circulating Androgens, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, and Luteinizing Hormone in Young Men
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2007; 92(7): 2696 - 2705.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur J EndocrinolHome page
B. B Yeap, O. P Almeida, Z. Hyde, P. E Norman, S A P. Chubb, K. Jamrozik, and L. Flicker
In men older than 70 years, total testosterone remains stable while free testosterone declines with age. The Health in Men Study
Eur. J. Endocrinol., May 1, 2007; 156(5): 585 - 594.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ChestHome page
A. L. Ries, G. S. Bauldoff, B. W. Carlin, R. Casaburi, C. F. Emery, D. A. Mahler, B. Make, C. L. Rochester, R. ZuWallack, and C. Herrerias
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Joint ACCP/AACVPR Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines
Chest, May 1, 2007; 131(5_suppl): 4S - 42S.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
J. Ostrowski, J. E. Kuhns, J. A. Lupisella, M. C. Manfredi, B. C. Beehler, S. R. Krystek Jr., Y. Bi, C. Sun, R. Seethala, R. Golla, et al.
Pharmacological and X-Ray Structural Characterization of a Novel Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator: Potent Hyperanabolic Stimulation of Skeletal Muscle with Hypostimulation of Prostate in Rats
Endocrinology, January 1, 2007; 148(1): 4 - 12.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J EndocrinolHome page
A M Solomon and P M G Bouloux
Modifying muscle mass - the endocrine perspective.
J. Endocrinol., November 1, 2006; 191(2): 349 - 360.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
D. T. Villareal and J. O. Holloszy
DHEA enhances effects of weight training on muscle mass and strength in elderly women and men
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2006; 291(5): E1003 - E1008.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch Intern MedHome page
E. Orwoll, L. C. Lambert, L. M. Marshall, J. Blank, E. Barrett-Connor, J. Cauley, K. Ensrud, S. R. Cummings, and for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study Group
Endogenous testosterone levels, physical performance, and fall risk in older men.
Arch Intern Med, October 23, 2006; 166(19): 2124 - 2131.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
A.-M. Axell, H. E. MacLean, D. R. Plant, L. J. Harcourt, J. A. Davis, M. Jimenez, D. J. Handelsman, G. S. Lynch, and J. D. Zajac
Continuous testosterone administration prevents skeletal muscle atrophy and enhances resistance to fatigue in orchidectomized male mice
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, September 1, 2006; 291(3): E506 - E516.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
I. Sinha-Hikim, M. Cornford, H. Gaytan, M. L. Lee, and S. Bhasin
Effects of Testosterone Supplementation on Skeletal Muscle Fiber Hypertrophy and Satellite Cells in Community-Dwelling Older Men
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2006; 91(8): 3024 - 3033.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch Intern MedHome page
L. Ferrucci, M. Maggio, S. Bandinelli, S. Basaria, F. Lauretani, A. Ble, G. Valenti, W. B. Ershler, J. M. Guralnik, and D. L. Longo
Low testosterone levels and the risk of anemia in older men and women.
Arch Intern Med, July 10, 2006; 166(13): 1380 - 1388.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
S. Bhasin, G. R. Cunningham, F. J. Hayes, A. M. Matsumoto, P. J. Snyder, R. S. Swerdloff, and V. M. Montori
Testosterone Therapy in Adult Men with Androgen Deficiency Syndromes: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2006; 91(6): 1995 - 2010.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
D. J. Handelsman
The Rationale for Banning Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Estrogen Blockers in Sport
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2006; 91(5): 1646 - 1653.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
M. G. Giannoulis, P. H. Sonksen, M. Umpleby, L. Breen, C. Pentecost, M. Whyte, C. V. McMillan, C. Bradley, and F. C. Martin
The Effects of Growth Hormone and/or Testosterone in Healthy Elderly Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2006; 91(2): 477 - 484.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
A. B. O'Donnell, T. G. Travison, S. S. Harris, J. L. Tenover, and J. B. McKinlay
Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone, and Physical Performance in Older Men: Results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2006; 91(2): 425 - 431.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
F. Laghi
Low Testosterone in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Does It Really Matter?
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., November 1, 2005; 172(9): 1069 - 1070.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
T. N. Zhuang, L. P. Ly, R. G. Cumming, and D. J. Handelsman
Growth and Development during Early Manhood as Determinants of Prostate Size in Later Life
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2005; 90(11): 6055 - 6063.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
M. Van Vliet, M. A. Spruit, G. Verleden, A. Kasran, E. Van Herck, F. Pitta, R. Bouillon, and M. Decramer
Hypogonadism, Quadriceps Weakness, and Exercise Intolerance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., November 1, 2005; 172(9): 1105 - 1111.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Endocr. Rev.Home page
J. M. Kaufman and A. Vermeulen
The Decline of Androgen Levels in Elderly Men and Its Clinical and Therapeutic Implications
Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2005; 26(6): 833 - 876.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
P. B. Gray, A. B. Singh, L. J. Woodhouse, T. W. Storer, R. Casaburi, J. Dzekov, C. Dzekov, I. Sinha-Hikim, and S. Bhasin
Dose-Dependent Effects of Testosterone on Sexual Function, Mood, and Visuospatial Cognition in Older Men
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2005; 90(7): 3838 - 3846.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals
Copyright © 2005 by The Endocrine Society