Effect of an Anabolic Steroid (Methandienone) on Pituitary-Adrenal Function in the Human

Abstract

The effect of methandienone administration on urinary steroid excretion has been studied in subjects with normal pituitary-adrenal function and in patients with various endocrine diseases.In the control subjects, a marked suppression of urinary 17-KS and 17-OHCS excretion occurred, which persisted throughout even prolonged periods of methandienone administration. Upon cessation of methandienone treatment a prompt rise in urinary steroid excretion occurred, on occasions to levels slightly higher than those seen before treatment.Similar results were obtained in subjects with acromegaly and Cushing's syndrome, but in patients with anorexia nervosa and a low basal steroid excretion, the suppressive effect of methandienone was less marked.During treatment with methandienone, pituitary response to metopirone was depressed, but adrenal response to corticotrophin was unaltered.It was concluded that methandienone diminishes the rate of production of adrenocortical steroid by inhibiting corticotrophin production or release. Unlike the inhibition observed during treatment with glucocorticoids, it was not associated with atrophy of the adrenal glands.

Effect of an Anabolic Steroid (Metandienon) on Plasma Lh, Fsh, and Testosterone and on the Response to Intravenous Administration of LRH

“…A review of the literature showed that few studies on the effects of the administration of "pure" anabolic steroids on endogenous hormone levels have yet been carried out. Liddle 8c Burke (1960) and Wynn et al (1962) found a marked suppression of the urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in subjects who had used metandienon (17a-methyl-17/?-hydroxy-l,4-androstadien-3-one) for a long time. Wynn et al (1962) concluded that metandienon retards the rate of pro¬ duction of adrenocortical steroids by inhibiting either the production or release of corticotrophin (ACTH).…”

“…Liddle 8c Burke (1960) and Wynn et al (1962) found a marked suppression of the urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in subjects who had used metandienon (17a-methyl-17/?-hydroxy-l,4-androstadien-3-one) for a long time. Wynn et al (1962) concluded that metandienon retards the rate of pro¬ duction of adrenocortical steroids by inhibiting either the production or release of corticotrophin (ACTH). One man given large doses of metandienon ex¬ hibited a decrease in the urinary level of pituitary gonadotrophin (Liddle 8c Burke 1960).…”

“…These steroids may have both a direct effect on the pituitary gland and a feedback effect through the hypothalamus and the releasing hormones (Wynn et al 1962;Yen 8c Tsai 1971;Debeljuk et al 1972;Schally et al 1972Schally et al , 1973Cargille et al 1973;Debeljuk 1973;von Shaw et al 1975).…”

Effect of oral contraceptives on carbohydrate metabolism

“…The first clinical use of such compounds was as anabolic steroids. Clinical experience with these drugs is extensive and their many metabolic side effects have been described, including hepatic toxicity (Wynn, Landon, and Kaweran, 1961), effects on carbohydrate (Landon, Wynn, Cooke, and Kennedy, 1962a;Landon, Wynn, Houghton, and Cooke, 1962b;Landon, Wynn, and Samols, 1963) and lipid metabolism (Wynn, 1967) and effects upon the metabolism of cortisol Wynn, Landon, and James, 1962). It is of interest that it is in these same aspects of metabolism that concern is being expressed in relation to the oral contraceptives.…”