Abstract
In this study we examined the possibility that chronic reduction in serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) attained by pharmacologic inhibition of 5α-reductase modulates serum sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in elderly men. Twenty-one men, ages 58-79 years (mean 66) with benign prostatic hypertrophy were treated with the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride (5 mg daily) for 12 months. Serum DHT declined by 80% (p < 0.001) and total testosterone rose by 14% (p < 0.05). Serum SHBG concentration remained unchanged (44.1 ± 4.5 vs 45.2 ± 5.7 nmol/1 for pre- and post-therapy levels, respectively). Thus, the conversion of testosterone to DHT is not required to maintain the androgenic effect on serum SHBG concentration in elderly men.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 215-217 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Hormone Research in Paediatrics |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 5-6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1994 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- 5α-Reductase
- Dihydrotestosterone
- Finasteride
- Sex-hormone-binding globulin
- Testosterone