Modification of postoperative nitrogen balance with preoperative anabolic steroid

Thirty six patients undergoing abdominal operations were randomly allocated to receive an anabolic steroid, stanozolol (50 mg) or placebo 24 h before surgery. Patients were fasted during the first four postoperative days. During this period the mean daily nitrogen balance was significantly less negative in the stanozolol group (-8.0+/-3.0 gN/day) than in the control group (-10.9+/-4.1 gN/day), although improvement in nitrogen balance was greater in male than in female patients. Muscle catabolism as measured by 3-methylhistidine excretion was similar in both treatment groups. Significant fluid retention occurred in the stanozolol treated group and was more marked in female patients. Improved nitrogen balance in the absence of a measurable change in muscle catabolism suggests that this anabolic steroid acts by improving protein synthesis in the early period after surgery.