EFFECT OF AN ANABOLIC STEROID (METHANDIENONE) ON PITUITARY-ADRENAL FUNCTION IN THE HUMAN

Abstract

SUMMARY 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.