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Six-Week Improvements in Muscle Mass and Strength During Androgen Therapy in Older Men

¹ Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, ² Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, and ³ General Clinical Research Center of the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Address correspondence to E. Todd Schroeder, PhD, University of Southern California, Departments of Medicine and Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, 1540 East Alcazar St. CHP-155, Los Angeles, CA 90089. E-mail: eschroed{at}usc.edu

Background. The purpose of our study was to assess the early effects of a potent anabolic androgen on muscle mass and strength, lower extremity power, and functional performance in older men.

Methods. Thirty-two men 72 ± 6 years of age were randomized to receive oxandrolone (10 mg twice daily) or matching placebo in a 2:1 manner for 12 weeks. Total and appendicular lean body mass (LBM) were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Lower extremity muscle volume was determined by magnetic resonance imaging to validate DEXA changes.

Results. Total LBM increased by 2.7 ± 1.6 kg after 6 weeks with oxandrolone (p <.001), which was greater (p <.001) than the decline in LBM (–0.5 ± 0.9 kg) with placebo. Appendicular LBM increased by 1.2 ± 0.9 kg after just 6 weeks with oxandrolone (p <.001), which was greater (p <.001) than the decline in LBM (–0.4 ± 0.5 kg) with placebo. These changes were >90% of the gains in total and appendicular LBM (3.0 ± 1.5 kg and 1.3 ± 0.9 kg, respectively) after 12 weeks. Total thigh and hamstring muscle volume increased by 111 ± 29 mm³ (p =.001) and 75 ± 18 mm³ (p =.001), respectively, after 12 weeks. Maximal strength increased for the leg press 6.3 ± 5.6% (p =.003), leg curl 6.7 ± 8.6% (p =.01), chest press 6.9 ± 6.5% (p =.001), and latissimus pull-down 4.8 ± 6.3% (p =.009) with oxandrolone after 6 weeks; these increases were different than those with placebo (p <.001) and were 93%, 96%, 74%, and 94% of the respective gains at week 12. There were no improvements in functional measures.

Conclusion. Treatment with a potent anabolic androgen may produce significant increases in muscle mass and strength after only 6 weeks in healthy older men. However, such treatment did not improve leg muscle power or walking speed.

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