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Systemic effects of transdermal testosterone for the treatment of microphallus in children
Author(s) -
Arisaka Osamu,
Hoshi Megumi,
Kanazawa Sanae,
Nakajima Daisuke,
Numata Michio,
Nishikura Kiyoshi,
Oyama Mariko,
Nitta Akihisa,
Kuribayashi Takeo,
Kano Kenichi,
Nakayama Yuko,
Yamashiro Yuichiro
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1442-200x.2001.01353.x
Subject(s) - medicine , testosterone (patch) , endocrinology , osteocalcin , transdermal , hormone , pharmacology , alkaline phosphatase , biology , biochemistry , enzyme
Objectives: To elucidate the metabolic effects of topical testosterone for the treatment of microphallus in children.Methods: We administered 5% testosterone ointment to 50 prepubertal boys for the treatment of microphallus, allowing us to observe its metabolic effect on plasma concentrations of testosterone as a marker of transdermally absorbed testosterone, insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I as a marker of growth hormone secretion status, and osteocalcin as a marker of bone metabolic turnover.Results: Transdermal application of testosterone for 30 days at a dose that affects penile growth increased mean (±SD) plasma testosterone concentrations from 7.5±5.1 to 31.0±8.2 ng/dL (pre‐ vs post‐treatment, respectively; P <0.01). This was associated with a slight but statistically significant elevation of IGF‐I concentrations (117.2±76.9 vs 154.4±81.5 ng/mL; P <0.05). No significant change in osteocalcin levels was found.Conclusions: When using testosterone ointment as a treatment for microphallus, it should be borne in mind that this application has systemic effects.