Physiologic effects of nutritional support and anabolic steroids in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A placebo-controlled randomized trial.

Abstract

Nutritional depletion commonly occurs in patients with COPD, causing muscle wasting and impaired physiologic function. Two hundred seventeen patients with COPD participated in a placebo-controlled, randomized trial investigating the physiologic effects of nutritional intervention alone (N) for 8 wk or combined with the anabolic steroid nandrolone decanoate (N + A). Nandrolone decanoate or placebo (P) was injected intramuscularly (women, 25 mg; men, 50 mg) in a double-blind fashion on Days 1, 15, 29, and 43. Nutritional intervention consisted of a daily high caloric supplement (420 kcal; 200 ml). Also, all patients participated in an exercise program. In the depleted patients, both treatment regimens induced a similar significant body weight gain (2.6 kg) but different body compositional changes. Particularly in the last 4 wk of treatment, weight gain in the N group was predominantly due to an expansion of fat mass (p < 0.03 versus P and N + A), whereas the relative changes in fat-free mass (FFM) and other measures of muscle mass were more favorable in the N + A group (p < 0.03 versus P). Maximal inspiratory mouth pressure improved within both treatment groups in the first 4 wk of treatment, but after 8 wk only N + A was significantly different from P (p < 0.03). Nutritional supplementation in combination with a short course of anabolic steroids may enhance the gain in FFM and respiratory muscle function in depleted patients with COPD without causing adverse side effects.

• Authors: A M Schols, P B Soeters, R Mostert, R J Pluymers, E F Wouters
• Journal: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine (Am J Respir Crit Care Med) Vol. 152 Issue 4 Pt 1 Pg. 1268-74 (Oct 1995) ISSN: 1073-449X [Print] United States
• PMID: 7551381 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anabolic Agents
• Nandrolone
• Nandrolone Decanoate

Topics

• Anabolic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Body Composition
• Double-Blind Method
• Energy Intake
• Energy Metabolism
• Exercise Therapy
• Female
• Food, Formulated
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Lung Diseases, Obstructive (physiopathology, rehabilitation, therapy)
• Male
• Nandrolone (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Nandrolone Decanoate
• Respiratory Function Tests
• Respiratory Muscles (physiopathology)
• Weight Gain