Testosterone injection stimulates net protein synthesis but not tissue amino acid transport

Am J Physiol. 1998 Nov;275(5):E864-71. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1998.275.5.E864.

Abstract

Testosterone administration (T) increases lean body mass and muscle protein synthesis. We investigated the effects of short-term T on leg muscle protein kinetics and transport of selected amino acids by use of a model based on arteriovenous sampling and muscle biopsy. Fractional synthesis (FSR) and breakdown (FBR) rates of skeletal muscle protein were also directly calculated. Seven healthy men were studied before and 5 days after intramuscular injection of 200 mg of testosterone enanthate. Protein synthesis increased twofold after injection (P < 0.05), whereas protein breakdown was unchanged. FSR and FBR calculations were in accordance, because FSR increased twofold (P < 0.05) without a concomitant change in FBR. Net balance between synthesis and breakdown became more positive with both methodologies (P < 0.05) and was not different from zero. T injection increased arteriovenous essential and nonessential nitrogen balance across the leg (P < 0.05) in the fasted state, without increasing amino acid transport. Thus T administration leads to an increased net protein synthesis and reutilization of intracellular amino acids in skeletal muscle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine / metabolism
  • Amino Acids / blood
  • Amino Acids / metabolism*
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Femoral Artery
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Kinetics
  • Leucine / metabolism
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Muscle, Skeletal / blood supply
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Nitrogen Isotopes
  • Phenylalanine / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Regression Analysis
  • Testosterone / administration & dosage
  • Testosterone / pharmacology*
  • Testosterone / physiology
  • Time Factors
  • Tritium

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Nitrogen Isotopes
  • Tritium
  • Testosterone
  • Phenylalanine
  • Leucine
  • Lysine
  • Alanine