Androstenedione treatment reduces loss of cancellous bone volume in ovariectomised rats in a dose-responsive manner and the effect is not mediated by oestrogen

in Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
CK Lea
Search for other papers by CK Lea in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
V Moxham
Search for other papers by V Moxham in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
MJ Reed
Search for other papers by MJ Reed in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
AM Flanagan
Search for other papers by AM Flanagan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Free access

Sign up for journal news

We have tested the hypothesis that androstenedione (administered as 21-day, slow-release pellets) is converted to active sex steroids and reduces bone turnover in the ovariectomised rat model. We found that ovariectomy resulted in a minor but significant reduction in plasma concentrations of androstenedione and testosterone and a more significant reduction in oestrone (E1) and oestradiol (E2). This was associated with the expected substantial loss of metaphyseal cancellous bone volume. Androstenedione (1.5-100 mg) pellets increased the plasma concentrations of androstenedione and testosterone above those in the ovariectomised (ovx) rats in a dose-responsive manner, whereas E2 plasma concentrations were increased to a minor but significant degree above those in the ovx animals. Androstenedione reduced loss of cancellous bone volume in a dose-dependent fashion by reducing bone turnover. The 1.5, 5 and 100 mg androstenedione-induced effect on bone turnover was not abrogated by simultaneous treatment with Arimidex, an aromatase inhibitor. This implies that the skeletal-protective effect of androstenedione was not oestrogen-mediated.

 

  • Collapse
  • Expand