Testosterone prevents protein loss via the hepatic urea cycle in human

Abstract

ContextThe urea cycle is a rate-limiting step for amino acid nitrogen elimination. The rate of urea synthesis is a true indicator of whole-body protein catabolism. Testosterone reduces protein and nitrogen loss. The effect of testosterone on hepatic urea synthesis in humans has not been studied.ObjectiveTo determine whether testosterone reduces hepatic urea production.DesignAn open-label study.Patients and interventionEight hypogonadal men were studied at baseline, and after two weeks of transdermal testosterone replacement (Testogel, 100 mg/day).Main outcomes measuresThe rate of hepatic urea synthesis was measured by the urea turnover technique using stable isotope methodology, with15N2-urea as tracer. Whole-body leucine turnover was measured, from which leucine rate of appearance (LRa), an index of protein breakdown and leucine oxidation (Lox), a measure of irreversible protein loss, were calculated.ResultsTestosterone administration significantly reduced the rate of hepatic urea production (from 544.4 ± 71.8 to 431.7 ± 68.3 µmol/min;P < 0.01), which was paralleled by a significant reduction in serum urea concentration. Testosterone treatment significantly reduced net protein loss, as measured by percent Lox/LRa, by 19.3 ± 5.8% (P < 0.05). There was a positive association between Lox and hepatic urea production at baseline (r2 = 0.60,P < 0.05) and after testosterone administration (r2 = 0.59,P < 0.05).ConclusionTestosterone replacement reduces protein loss and hepatic urea synthesis. We conclude that testosterone regulates whole-body protein metabolism by suppressing the urea cycle.