An open trial of long‐term testosterone suppression in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Issue 6 (20th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yamamoto, Tomotaka; Yokota, Kazuhiko; Amao, Rie; Maeno, Takashi; Haga, Nobuhiko; Taguri, Masataka; Ohtsu, Hiroshi; Ichikawa, Yaeko; Goto, Jun; Tsuji, Shoji
• Is Part Of: Muscle & nerve. Volume 47:Issue 6(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 816
• Page End: 822
• Publication Date: 2013-03-20
• Subjects: Neuromuscular diseases -- Periodicals; Muscles -- Periodicals; Nerves -- Periodicals; 616.74
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.23759
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-639X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="mus23759-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Introduction</title> <p>We investigated the long‐term effects of leuprorelin on leg‐muscle strength in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). We hypothesized that testosterone suppression by leuprorelin would prevent the progression of muscle weakness.</p> </sec> <sec id="mus23759-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In a prospective, long duration, open trial, 16 SBMA patients underwent medical castration with leuprorelin for 3.5 years. Chlormadinone was coadministered initially to prevent a testosterone surge. The strength of knee extension and flexion were quantitated using a torque machine.</p> </sec> <sec id="mus23759-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Our hypothesis was rejected. The leg strength measures decreased significantly with the mean reduction of 22.3–27.8%. In a <italic>post hoc</italic> analysis, the leg strength of 4 patients with higher pretreatment baseline total testosterone levels and short disease duration of 1–6 years were stronger at baseline and decreased by only 12.3–15.7% after treatment.</p> </sec> <sec id="mus23759-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Leuprorelin was not effective in this small long‐term treatment trial in SBMA. The possibility that earlier treatment might be beneficial may deserve further study. Muscle Nerve 47: 816–822, 2013</p> </sec> </abstract>