Nelson Vergel
Founder, ExcelMale.com
Effects of testosterone and nandrolone on cardiac function: a randomized, placebo-controlled study
Chung, T ; Kelleher, S ; Liu, P. Y ; Conway, A. J ; Kritharides, L ; Handelsman, D. J
Clinical Endocrinology, 2007-02, Vol.66 (2), p.235-245
Summary Background Androgens have striking effects on skeletal muscle, but the effects on human cardiac muscle function are not well defined, neither has the role of metabolic activation (aromatization, 5α reduction) of testosterone on cardiac muscle been directly studied. Objective To assess the effects of testosterone and nandrolone, a non-amplifiable and non-aromatizable pure androgen, on cardiac muscle function in healthy young men. Design Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, three-arm parallel group clinical trial. Setting Ambulatory care research centre. Participants Healthy young men randomized into three groups of 10 men. Intervention Weekly intramuscular injections of testosterone (200 mg mixed esters), nandrolone (200 mg nandrolone decanoate) or matching (2 ml arachis oil vehicle) placebo for 4 weeks. Main outcome measures Comprehensive measures of cardiac muscle function involving transthoracic cardiac echocardiography measuring myocardial tissue velocity, peak systolic strain and strain rates, and bioimpedance measurement of cardiac output and systematic vascular resistance. Results Left ventricular (LV) function (LV ejection fraction, LV modified TEI index), right ventricular (RV) function (ejection area, tricuspid annular systolic planar motion, RV modified TEI index) as well as cardiac afterload (mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance) and overall cardiac contractility (stroke volume, cardiac output) were within age- and gender-specific reference ranges and were not significantly (P < 0·05) altered by either androgen or placebo over 4 weeks of treatment. Minor changes remaining within normal range were observed solely within the testosterone group for: increased LV end-systolic diameter (30 ± 7 vs. 33 ± 5 mm, P = 0·04) and RV end-systolic area (12·8 ± 1·3 vs. 14·6 ± 3·3 cm2, P = 0·04), reduced LV diastolic septal velocity (Em, 9·5 ± 2·6 vs. 8·7 ± 2·0 cm/s, P = 0·006), increased LV filling pressure (E/Em ratio, 7·1 ± 1·6 vs. 8·3 ± 1·8, P = 0·02) and shortened PR interval on the electrocardiogram (167 ± 13 vs. 154 ± 12, P = 0·03). Conclusion Four weeks of treatment with testosterone or nandrolone had no benefitial or adverse effects compared with placebo on cardiac function in healthy young men.
The study was approved by the Human Ethics Committee of the
Central Sydney Area Health Service (Concord Zone). Healthy young
men aged 18–45 years were eligible for the study. Exclusion criteria
included (i) contraindications to testosterone administration (breast
or prostate cancer); (ii) previous or current use of androgens; (iii) use
of disallowed (including illicitly obtained) drugs that may interfere
with androgen absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion or
action (e.g. androgens, anti-androgens, finasteride); (iv) any chronic
medical condition requiring regular medication or likely to interfere
with safe participation; (v) and significant cardiac disease or abnormal
baseline echocardiogram. All participants were warned about risks
of disqualification from elite sports and temporary lowering of male
fertility arising from participation in the study and were required to
provide written informed consent prior to entry.
Immediately prior to first treatment, volunteers (n= 30) were allocated to three equal groups according to a computer-generated randomization list with a block size of 6. The randomization list was
held in the pharmacy that drew up all injections to maintain blinding
of study personnel. Each group received 4 weekly intramuscular
injections of either 200 mg testosterone esters (Sustanon), 200 mg
nandrolone decanoate (Deca Durabolin), or placebo (arachis oil
vehicle) from Organon (Australia) Pty Ltd. All injections were
administered by study personnel.
Chung, T ; Kelleher, S ; Liu, P. Y ; Conway, A. J ; Kritharides, L ; Handelsman, D. J
Clinical Endocrinology, 2007-02, Vol.66 (2), p.235-245
Summary Background Androgens have striking effects on skeletal muscle, but the effects on human cardiac muscle function are not well defined, neither has the role of metabolic activation (aromatization, 5α reduction) of testosterone on cardiac muscle been directly studied. Objective To assess the effects of testosterone and nandrolone, a non-amplifiable and non-aromatizable pure androgen, on cardiac muscle function in healthy young men. Design Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, three-arm parallel group clinical trial. Setting Ambulatory care research centre. Participants Healthy young men randomized into three groups of 10 men. Intervention Weekly intramuscular injections of testosterone (200 mg mixed esters), nandrolone (200 mg nandrolone decanoate) or matching (2 ml arachis oil vehicle) placebo for 4 weeks. Main outcome measures Comprehensive measures of cardiac muscle function involving transthoracic cardiac echocardiography measuring myocardial tissue velocity, peak systolic strain and strain rates, and bioimpedance measurement of cardiac output and systematic vascular resistance. Results Left ventricular (LV) function (LV ejection fraction, LV modified TEI index), right ventricular (RV) function (ejection area, tricuspid annular systolic planar motion, RV modified TEI index) as well as cardiac afterload (mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance) and overall cardiac contractility (stroke volume, cardiac output) were within age- and gender-specific reference ranges and were not significantly (P < 0·05) altered by either androgen or placebo over 4 weeks of treatment. Minor changes remaining within normal range were observed solely within the testosterone group for: increased LV end-systolic diameter (30 ± 7 vs. 33 ± 5 mm, P = 0·04) and RV end-systolic area (12·8 ± 1·3 vs. 14·6 ± 3·3 cm2, P = 0·04), reduced LV diastolic septal velocity (Em, 9·5 ± 2·6 vs. 8·7 ± 2·0 cm/s, P = 0·006), increased LV filling pressure (E/Em ratio, 7·1 ± 1·6 vs. 8·3 ± 1·8, P = 0·02) and shortened PR interval on the electrocardiogram (167 ± 13 vs. 154 ± 12, P = 0·03). Conclusion Four weeks of treatment with testosterone or nandrolone had no benefitial or adverse effects compared with placebo on cardiac function in healthy young men.
The study was approved by the Human Ethics Committee of the
Central Sydney Area Health Service (Concord Zone). Healthy young
men aged 18–45 years were eligible for the study. Exclusion criteria
included (i) contraindications to testosterone administration (breast
or prostate cancer); (ii) previous or current use of androgens; (iii) use
of disallowed (including illicitly obtained) drugs that may interfere
with androgen absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion or
action (e.g. androgens, anti-androgens, finasteride); (iv) any chronic
medical condition requiring regular medication or likely to interfere
with safe participation; (v) and significant cardiac disease or abnormal
baseline echocardiogram. All participants were warned about risks
of disqualification from elite sports and temporary lowering of male
fertility arising from participation in the study and were required to
provide written informed consent prior to entry.
Immediately prior to first treatment, volunteers (n= 30) were allocated to three equal groups according to a computer-generated randomization list with a block size of 6. The randomization list was
held in the pharmacy that drew up all injections to maintain blinding
of study personnel. Each group received 4 weekly intramuscular
injections of either 200 mg testosterone esters (Sustanon), 200 mg
nandrolone decanoate (Deca Durabolin), or placebo (arachis oil
vehicle) from Organon (Australia) Pty Ltd. All injections were
administered by study personnel.
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