[Use of androgens in the complex treatment of men with systemic lupus erythematosus]

A controlled trial of the androgenic drug Sustanon-250 was conducted in 9 male patients with exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The drug was administered intramuscularly once a week for 4 weeks. The therapy resulted in changes of the initially disturbed levels of sex hormones: the initially lowered levels of testosterone increased significantly by the end of the study (p less than 0.01), the level of serum estradiol and the estrogenic/androgenic ratio returned to normal. A decrease in the values of ESR,L2 and gamma globulins, G and A immunoglobulins, a-DNA, ANF and CRP titers was noted. The amount of T-lymphocytes increased. Two patients were not given corticosteroid and cytotoxic drugs, a dose of drugs for 1 patient was not raised and for 3 patients it was lowered. Over the period of the study skin symptoms, the degree of expression of lymphadenopathy, polyarthritis and Raynaud's syndrome decreased. The drug produced an insignificant effect on the serous membranes, heart and kidneys. The first experience in the use of androgens in men indicated pathogenetic influence of such drugs on SLE.