madman
Super Moderator
ABSTRACT
The human body can be viewed simplistically as being composed of fat-free and fat mass. With more sophisticated techniques, body composition can be broken down into fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, nonmuscle lean mass, visceral mass, and bone mineral content. Similarly, it is possible to obtain estimates of total body water and intracellular and extracellular water contents. Regardless of the model of body composition assessment, it is evident that androgens are important determinants of body composition; there is no body compartment that is not directly or indirectly affected by androgens. The effects of androgens on skeletal muscle mass have received the greatest attention in recent literature; however, a growing body of evidence suggests that androgens also regulate fat mass, bone mineral content, nonmuscle soft tissues, and body water.
*The effects of androgens on skeletal muscle mass have received the greatest attention in recent literature (Woodhouse et al, 2001); however, a growing body of evidence suggests that androgens also regulate fat mass, bone mineral content, non-muscle soft tissues, and body water.
TESTOSTERONE EFFECTS ON BODY WATER
The pioneers in the androgen field recognized that testosterone administration in androgen-deficient men and in healthy women was associated with significant retention of sodium, chloride, and potassium, sulfur, and phosphate (Knowlton et al, 1942; Wilson 1996). Knowlton et al. (1942) reported that much of the early weight gain could be accounted for by water retention in association with retained electrolytes and protein. When the administration of androgen is stopped, sodium, potassium, and water are lost quickly (Knowlton et al, 1942; Wilson 1996). Significant water retention resulting in edema is unusual in healthy, hypogonadal men, who are receiving replacement doses of testosterone. However, supraphysiologic doses of testosterone can result in edema and exacerbate heart failure when given to men with pre-existing heart or kidney disease. In clinical trials of testosterone replacement in older men (Snyder et al, 1999; Sih et al, 1997, Tenover 1998; Kenny et al, 2001), the frequency of edema and congestive heart failure in testosterone-treated men has been very low.
The human body can be viewed simplistically as being composed of fat-free and fat mass. With more sophisticated techniques, body composition can be broken down into fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, nonmuscle lean mass, visceral mass, and bone mineral content. Similarly, it is possible to obtain estimates of total body water and intracellular and extracellular water contents. Regardless of the model of body composition assessment, it is evident that androgens are important determinants of body composition; there is no body compartment that is not directly or indirectly affected by androgens. The effects of androgens on skeletal muscle mass have received the greatest attention in recent literature; however, a growing body of evidence suggests that androgens also regulate fat mass, bone mineral content, nonmuscle soft tissues, and body water.
*The effects of androgens on skeletal muscle mass have received the greatest attention in recent literature (Woodhouse et al, 2001); however, a growing body of evidence suggests that androgens also regulate fat mass, bone mineral content, non-muscle soft tissues, and body water.
TESTOSTERONE EFFECTS ON BODY WATER
The pioneers in the androgen field recognized that testosterone administration in androgen-deficient men and in healthy women was associated with significant retention of sodium, chloride, and potassium, sulfur, and phosphate (Knowlton et al, 1942; Wilson 1996). Knowlton et al. (1942) reported that much of the early weight gain could be accounted for by water retention in association with retained electrolytes and protein. When the administration of androgen is stopped, sodium, potassium, and water are lost quickly (Knowlton et al, 1942; Wilson 1996). Significant water retention resulting in edema is unusual in healthy, hypogonadal men, who are receiving replacement doses of testosterone. However, supraphysiologic doses of testosterone can result in edema and exacerbate heart failure when given to men with pre-existing heart or kidney disease. In clinical trials of testosterone replacement in older men (Snyder et al, 1999; Sih et al, 1997, Tenover 1998; Kenny et al, 2001), the frequency of edema and congestive heart failure in testosterone-treated men has been very low.
