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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Prospective controlled study of androgen effects on red cell oxygen transport and work capacity in chronic
1Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, West Haven, Conn.
Abstract:
Effects of androgens on red blood cell (RBC) oxygen transport, RBC metabolism and work capacity in chronic hemodialysis patients were evaluated in a prospective controlled study. Compared to control subjects, patients given nandrolone decanoate had a sustained fall in RBC ATP and a transient rise in RBC DPG but P50 values were unchanged. Despite increases in RBC mass of 16-44% on androgen therapy, exercise on the treadmill improved in only 1 patient and actually declined in 3 others. Thus, these preliminary observations suggest that androgens may not improve hemoglobin-oxygen transport and that androgen-induced increases in red cell mass may only balance increased tissue oxygen requirements produced by these anabolic hormones.
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