Testosterone Replacement, Research Paper Example

Testosterone Replacement of Resistance Exercise in HIV-Infected Men with Weight Loss and Low Testosterone Levels

The study measured the effectiveness of testosterone replacement of resistance exercise, in that of HIV-infected men that had weight loss and low testosterone levels.  Conducted by a team of doctors, it was published in 2000 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.  The purpose, method, and results will be examined within this paper as the study is examined in respect to its significance.

Purpose of the Study

To study wanted to see the effectiveness of testosterone replacement and resistance exercise, in respect to men with the qualifications already stated in regards to health.  As these effects were unknown, researchers wanted to measure the effects of each.  Additionally, the study wanted to measure how both would affect individuals.  Muscle strength and body composition were the resulting effects that were measured.

Predictions from the Researchers

The predictions of the researchers were in large part speculative.  As noted within the published study, previous studies failed to show improvement in muscle strength for men that had testosterone supplementation and who were infected with HIV.  Also noted was the unknown effects of both exercise and testosterone supplementation for HIV-infected men.  Thus, the researchers were speculative without much ground in relationship to previous studies on the subject.

The researchers were optimistic regarding their predictions.  Fat free mass (FFM) and muscle strength were hypothesized to be increased from testosterone and resistance exercise.  Furthermore, the researchers believed that both methods would improve results when combined.

Experiments Performed by Researchers

The study placed 61 eligible men into four groups.  The first group received placebo injections without exercise.  The second group received 100 mg/week of testosterone enanthate without exercise.  The third group received placebo and were involved in a resistance exercise program.  The fourth group received the testosterone treatment and was involved in the resistance exercise program.

Techniques Used in the Study

The study was conducted between September of 1995 and July of 1998.  It involved a 16-week, double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study setup.  Consent was utilized from the review boards of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine of Science, Los Angeles, and Research and Education Institute, Torrance, California.  Injections were administered in the General Clinical Research Center in Torrance.

The study excluded a number of potential candidates for the study.  Participants were selected from the ages of 18 to 50 years, who were infected with HIV and had a documented 5% involuntary weight loss in the preceding six months.  Additionally, participants selected had serum total testosterone levels less than 12.1 nmol/L.

The sample size for the participants was increased from previous studies.  Based on 14 subjects, the researchers in the current study were seeking 80% more power to detect similar changes in FFM and muscle strength.  This would necessitate 12 subjects per group, and with a 20% to 25% dropout rate expected, researchers planned to enroll 60 men in the study to used within the four groups.

The exercise intensity utilized a one-repetition maximum.  The first four weeks consisted of a high volume and low intensity program three times a week.  Weeks five through ten utilized a high intensity, low volume resistance exercise program.  Weeks eleven through sixteen saw more increases in weight resistance and number of sets performed.

Results

The first set of results can be seen in respect to speculated improvements in muscle strength.  Those that were treated with testosterone or exercise alone, or both, experienced significant increases in the resistance exercises used in the study.  The placebo alone group did not experience similar gains in muscle strength.

The second dimension of results can be seen in respect to speculated improvements in body composition.  Body weight increased in the groups that received testosterone or exercise alone.  It did not change in the placebo alone or the exercise and testosterone group.  The increases were likewise seen in muscle volume and average lean body mass in the two aforementioned groups.

Meaning of the Results

It is first necessary to clarify the results.  According to the predictions of the researchers, testosterone and resistance exercise both produce gains in body weight, muscle strength, muscle mass, and lean body mass for men infected with HIV and weight loss and low testosterone levels.  Contrary to their predictions, combining both methods did not show greater gains than either intervention alone.

The study demonstrates the results that were previously unfounded in research.  The current researchers believe previous studies were confused in regards to the exercise stimulus and learning effect.  Regardless of this, the current study is the first to demonstrate considerable improvements in muscle strength with a pharmacological intervention for men infected with HIV.

The study importantly demonstrates the improvement of FFM accretion and skeletal muscle hypertrophy and muscle strength in HIV-infected men with low testosterone levels and moderate weight loss.  It is premature to claim that testosterone improves muscle function.  As a preliminary study in this area, it helps to identify the possibility of useful changes of testosterone and exercise in relationship to muscle function and outcomes in HIV-related diseases and conditions.  This study certainly identifies a number of important possibilities and current benefits for this selected area of patients.

Background

Negative effects of weight loss for HIV-infected individuals are found in those that experience these changes during the course of the disease.  Increased mortality and other adverse outcomes are associated with weight loss during the course of HIV infection.  These links generate the need to research appropriate methods of curbing this relationship for those that are infected with HIV.

In respect to the current study, researchers have identified the best prospects for increasing muscle strength and body mass.  Of course, by improving these areas of individuals that are affected with HIV, the outcomes of weight loss in the course of HIV infection can be benefited.  Of these prospects, researchers have identified testosterone and exercise as two of the best prospects.  Researchers list them as safe and inexpensive, when compared to other possible therapies.  Sparking further research to the possible benefits of muscle strength and body mass in HIV-infected individuals, this study has thus thrust forward the literature on this subject, and prospectively similar diseases.

Works Cited

Bhasin, Shalender, MD; Thomas W. Storer, PhD; Marjan Javanbakht, MPH; Nancy Berman, PhD; Kevin E. Yarasheski, PhD; Jeffrey Phillips, MD; Marjorie Dike, PhD; Indrani Sinha-Hikim, PhD; Ruoquing Shen, MD; Ron D. Hays, PhD & Gildon Beall, MD. “Testosterone Replacement and Resistance Exercise in HIV-Infected Men With Weight Loss and Low Testosterone Levels.” The Journal of the American Medical Association, 283.6 (2000): 763-770.