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Testosterone administration to older men improves muscle function: molecular and physiological mechanisms
Arny A Ferrando1, Melinda Sheffield-Moore, Catherine W Yeckel
1Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA. aferrand@utmb.edu
American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
|February 8, 2002
Summary
Testosterone therapy in older men significantly boosts muscle mass and strength by reducing protein breakdown. This study shows physiological testosterone increases enhance muscle anabolism and physical function in aging males.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Geriatrics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Aging is associated with declining testosterone levels and muscle mass.
- Skeletal muscle function and protein metabolism are critical for healthy aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of 6 months of near-physiological testosterone administration on muscle function and metabolism in older men.
- To assess changes in lean body mass, muscle volume, strength, and protein synthesis/breakdown.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 12 older men (>60 years) with low testosterone.
- Randomized assignment to placebo or testosterone enanthate (TE) injections for 6 months.
- Measurements included lean body mass, muscle volume, strength, androgen receptor (AR) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) protein expression, and muscle protein metabolism.
Main Results:
- Testosterone administration increased total and leg lean body mass, muscle volume, and leg and arm muscle strength.
- Lean body mass accretion was attributed to increased muscle protein net balance, driven by decreased muscle protein breakdown.
- AR protein expression increased at 1 month but returned to baseline by 6 months; IGF-I expression remained elevated.
Conclusions:
- Physiological increases in testosterone enhance muscle protein anabolism and muscle strength in older men.
- Testosterone therapy can be a viable strategy to counteract age-related muscle decline.
Keywords:
Non-programmatic