Four weeks of androstenedione supplementation diminishes the treatment response in middle aged men

Interkingdom Hormonal Regulations between Plants and Animals Provide New Insight into Food Safety

Food safety has become an attractive topic among consumers. Raw material production for food is also a focus of social attention. As hormones are widely used in agriculture and human disease control, consumers' concerns about the safety of hormone agents have never disappeared. The present review focuses on the interkingdom regulations of exogenous animal hormones in plants and phytohormones in animals, including physiology and stress resistance. We summarize these interactions to give the public, researchers, and policymakers some guidance and suggestions. Accumulated evidence demonstrates comprehensive hormonal regulation across plants and animals. Animal hormones, interacting with phytohormones, help regulate plant development and enhance environmental resistance. Correspondingly, phytohormones may also cause damage to the reproductive and urinary systems of animals. Notably, the disease-resistant role of phytohormones is revealed against neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. These resistances derive from the control for abnormal cell cycle, energy balance, and activity of enzymes. Further exploration of these cross-kingdom mechanisms would surely be of greater benefit to human health and agriculture development.

The effect of androstenedione supplementation on testosterone, estradiol, body composition, and lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To date, no meta-analysis has been carried out to collect evidence from randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) for the purpose of comprehensively summarizing the effect of androstenedione supplementation. Therefore, the aim of this research was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all RCTs that explored the effect of androstenedione supplementation on individual hormonal, lipid, and anthropometric indices.

METHODS

We searched five databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS, Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Google Scholar) using a combination of medical subject headings (MeSH) and non-MeSH terms. Using the random-effects model, we summarized the outcomes as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Eight eligible articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled effect sizes suggested a significant effect of androstenedione supplementation on serum estradiol concentrations (WMD: 20.82 ng/ml, 95% CI: 7.25 to 34.38, p = 0.003), triglycerides (TG, WMD: -0.19 mg/dl, 95% CI: - 0.96, 0.57, p = 0.000), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (WMD: - 0.13 mg/dl, 95% CI: - 0.23 to - 0.03, p = 0.009); however, it had no effect on testosterone (WMD: 0.098 ng/ml, 95% CI: - 0.499 to 0.696, p = 0.748), body weight (WMD: 0.579 kg, 95% CI: - 4.02 to 5.17, p = 0.805), body mass index (BMI, WMD: - 0.73 kg/m², 95% CI: - 2.98, 1.50, p = 0.519), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (WMD: - 0.074 mg/dl, 95% CI: - 0.37 to 0.22, p = 0.622), and total cholesterol (TC, WMD: - 0.15 mg/dl, 95% CI: - 0.49, 0.17, p = 0.198).

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that androstenedione supplementation can lower TG and HDL-cholesterol and increase estradiol concentrations.

Effects of short-term DHEA intake on hormonal responses in young recreationally trained athletes: modulation by gender

BACKGROUND

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) figures on the World Anti-Doping Agency list of prohibited substances in sport because it is assumed that athletes expect a significant increase in testosterone through DHEA administration. The literature on the hormonal effects of DHEA intake nevertheless appears to be very scant in healthy young subjects, especially women.

PURPOSE

We examined the effects of DHEA on adrenal and gonadal hormones, IGF1 and free T3 in healthy young male and female recreationally trained volunteers.

METHODS

The study followed a double-blind, randomized-order crossover design. Lean healthy young men (n = 10) and women (n = 11), with all women using oral contraceptives, were treated daily with 100 mg of DHEA and placebo for 4 weeks. DHEA, DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), androstenedione, total testosterone (Tes), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), SHBG, estrone, cortisol, IGF1, and free T3 were measured before, in the middle and at the end of each treatment, as were blood glucose, liver transaminases and lipid status.

RESULTS

We observed a significant increase in DHEA, DHEA-S, androstenedione, Tes, DHT, and estrone in both men and women in the middle and at the end of DHEA treatment, but the increase in Tes was more marked in women (p < 0.001) than men (p < 0.05). No changes were found in the other parameters, irrespective of gender.

CONCLUSION

In young athletes, DHEA administration induces significant blood hormonal changes, some modulated by gender, which can be used as biomarkers of doping.

Toxicity and carcinogenicity of androstenedione in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice

Androstenedione was marketed as a dietary supplement to increase muscle mass during training. Due to concern over long-term use, the NTP evaluated the subchronic and chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of androstenedione in male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. In subchronic studies, dose limiting effects were not observed. A chronic (2-year) exposure by gavage at 10, 20, or 50 mg/kg in rats and male mice, and 2, 10, or 50 mg/kg in female mice (50 mg/kg, maximum feasible dose) was conducted. Increased incidences of lung alveolar/bronchiolar adenoma and carcinoma occurred in the 20 mg/kg male rats and increases in mononuclear cell leukemia occurred in the 20 and 50 mg/kg female rats, which may have been related to androstenedione administration. In male and female mice, androstenedione was carcinogenic based upon a significant increase in hepatocellular tumors. A marginal increase in pancreatic islet cell adenomas in male (50 mg/kg) and female (2, 10, 50 mg/kg) mice was considered to be related to androstenedione administration. Interestingly, incidences of male rat Leydig cell adenomas and female rat mammary gland fibroadenomas decreased. In conclusion, androstenedione was determined to be carcinogenic in male and female mice, and may have been carcinogenic in rats.

The Effects of Androstenedione Supplementation on Serum Gonadal Hormones

Objective:

To review the effects of androstenedione supplementation on serum gonadal hormones.

Data Sources:

Biomedical literature was accessed via PubMed through September 2007; MeSH terms included androstenedione and gonadal hormones.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Studies were limited to those published in English, with the primary outcome of change in serum gonadal hormone concentrations following multiple-dose oral androstenedione supplementation. Articles that reported only effects on muscle strength were excluded because our review focuses on the biochemical, not physiological, effects of androstenedione. For studies that evaluated multiple outcomes of therapy that were published in more than one journal, only the article reporting serum gonadal levels was selected for this review.

Data Synthesis:

We reviewed 8 unique studies that evaluated the effect of oral androstenedione supplementation on serum gonadal hormone concentrations. Critical comparison of the studies is challenging due to heterogeneity in methodology and outcomes measured, small sample sizes and short durations, and lack of complete data. The timing of serum gonadal hormone measurements, which is of critical importance, is not standardized among the studies. Subjectively evaluated, these studies suggest that androstenedione supplementation may cause a small, transient increase in serum testosterone. However, this effect is very short (<24 h) and may be completely negated by conversion to estrogens and through feedback inhibition of endogenous testosterone production with long-term use (≥28 days).

Conclusions:

The findings of the studies reviewed suggest that androstenedione supplementation may cause a small, transient increase in serum testosterone levels. More importantly, estrogen-related hormones were also increased. Although androstenedione supplements are no longer available in the US without a prescription, they are available in other countries and potentially via the Internet. Clinicians should be aware of the potentially harmful effects of androstenedione on gonadal hormones in the event that they are involved in the care of a patient who may be using an androstenedione-containing product.

Effects of eight weeks of an alleged aromatase inhibiting nutritional supplement 6-OXO (androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione) on serum hormone profiles and clinical safety markers in resistance-trained, eugonadal males

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 6-OXO, a purported nutritional aromatase inhibitor, in a dose dependent manner on body composition, serum hormone levels, and clinical safety markers in resistance trained males. Sixteen males were supplemented with either 300 mg or 600 mg of 6-OXO in a double-blind manner for eight weeks. Blood and urine samples were obtained at weeks 0, 1, 3, 8, and 11 (after a 3-week washout period). Blood samples were analyzed for total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol, estriol, estrone, SHBG, leutinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH), cortisol, FT/estradiol (T/E). Blood and urine were also analyzed for clinical chemistry markers. Data were analyzed with two-way MANOVA. For all of the serum hormones, there were no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). Compared to baseline, free testosterone underwent overall increases of 90% for 300 mg 6-OXO and 84% for 600 mg, respectively (p < 0.05). DHT underwent significant overall increases (p < 0.05) of 192% and 265% with 300 mg and 600 mg, respectively. T/E increased 53% and 67% for 300 mg and 600 mg 6-OXO, respectively. For estrone, 300 mg produced an overall increase of 22%, whereas 600 mg caused a 52% increase (p < 0.05). Body composition did not change with supplementation (p > 0.05) and clinical safety markers were not adversely affected with ingestion of either supplement dose (p > 0.05). While neither of the 6-OXO dosages appears to have any negative effects on clinical chemistry markers, supplementation at a daily dosage of 300 mg and 600 mg for eight weeks did not completely inhibit aromatase activity, yet significantly increased FT, DHT, and T/E.

Testosterone Prohormone Supplements

Testosterone prohormones such as androstenedione, androstenediol, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have been heavily marketed as testosterone-enhancing and muscle-building nutritional supplements for the past decade. Concerns over the safety of prohormone supplement use prompted the United States Food and Drug Administration to call for a ban on androstenedione sales, and Congress passed the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004, which classifies androstenedione and 17 other steroids as controlled substances. As of January 2005, these substances cannot be sold without prescription. Here, we summarize the current scientific knowledge regarding the efficacy and safety of prohormone supplementation in humans. We focus primarily on androstenedione, but we also discuss DHEA, androstenediol, 19-nor androstenedione, and 19-nor androstenediol supplements. Contrary to marketing claims, research to date indicates that the use of prohormone nutritional supplements (DHEA, androstenedione, androstenediol, and other steroid hormone supplements) does not produce either anabolic or ergogenic effects in men. Moreover, the use of prohormone nutritional supplements may raise the risk for negative health consequences.

The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris does not influence the androgen production in young men

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study is to investigate the influence of Tribulus terrestris extract on androgen metabolism in young males.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Twenty-one healthy young 20-36 years old men with body weight ranging from 60 to 125 kg were randomly separated into three groups-two experimental (each n=7) and a control (placebo) one (n=7). The experimental groups were named TT1 and TT2 and the subjects were assigned to consume 20 and 10 mg/kg body weight per day of Tribulus terrestris extract, respectively, separated into three daily intakes for 4 weeks. Testosterone, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone levels in the serum were measured 24 h before supplementation (clear probe), and at 24, 72, 240, 408 and 576 h from the beginning of the supplementation.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between Tribulus terrestris supplemented groups and controls in the serum testosterone (TT1 (mean+/-S.D.: 15.75+/-1.75 nmol/l); TT2 (mean+/-S.D.: 16.32+/-1.57 nmol/l); controls (mean+/-S.D.: 17.74+/-1.09 nmol/l) (p>0.05)), androstenedione (TT1 (mean+/-S.D.: 1.927+/-0.126 ng/ml); TT2 (mean+/-S.D.: 2.026+/-0.256 ng/ml); controls (mean+/-S.D.: 1.952+/-0.236 ng/ml) (p>0.05)) or luteinizing hormone (TT1 (mean+/-S.D.: 4.662+/-0.274U/l); TT2 (mean+/-S.D.: 4.103+/-0.869U/l); controls (mean+/-S.D.: 4.170+/-0.406U/l) (p>0.05)) levels. All results were within the normal range. The findings in the current study anticipate that Tribulus terrestris steroid saponins possess neither direct nor indirect androgen-increasing properties. The study will be extended in the clarifying the probable mode of action of Tribulus terrestris steroid saponins.

Disorders of Fuel Metabolism: Medical Complications Associated with Starvation, Eating Disorders, Dietary Fads, and Supplements

Disorders of fuel metabolism as they relate to abnormal fuel intake,abnormal fuel expenditure, and dietary supplements are the focus of this article. The emergency physician should be aware of the medical complications that can occur as a result of starvation states,eating disorders, fad diets, hypermetabolic states, and ergogenic aids. Knowledge and understanding of the complications associated with these disorders will facilitate the diagnosis and management of patients who present to the emergency department with any of the disorders reviewed.