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ENDOCRINE EFFECTS OF SPIRONOLACTONE IN MAN
Author(s) -
TIDD M. J.,
HORTH C. E.,
RAMSAY L. E.,
SHELTON J. R.,
PALMER R. F.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1978.tb03578.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , spironolactone , androsterone , dehydroepiandrosterone , excretion , luteinizing hormone , testosterone (patch) , androgen , hormone , urinary system , etiocholanolone , chemistry , aldosterone , steroid
SUMMARY A double blind, controlled study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of administering spironolactone, 200 mg daily, to five healthy male volunteers. The patterns of change in plasma testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) after spironolactone were significantly different from placebo and there were significant increases in the urinary excretion of androsterone (A), aetiocholanolone (EC) and total oestrogen. Urinary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) excretion, after an initial rise, declined progressively during the treatment period relative to controls. The results are discussed in the light of previous observations. It is concluded that treatment with spironolactone for 2–4 days will lead to a transient rise in plasma T and urinary DHA. Continued treatment (4–10 days) is thought to cause increased LH secretion, with normalization of plasma T and DHA excretion. These changes are accompanied by increased androgen catabolism and a slightly increased conversion of androgens to oestrogens. Healthy men may therefore show alterations in sex steroid metabolism if treated for several days with high doses of spironolactone.