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Androgens and Body Composition

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Book cover Androgens in Health and Disease

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

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Abstract

Ever since the clinical availability of androgens, it has been noted that androgens modulate body composition, leading to enhanced lean and diminished fat mass. Androgens have received particular attention with regard to improving body composition not only in normal populations but also in those with chronic illness with associated sarcopenia. For example, improvements in muscle mass following testosterone administration have been shown in sarcopenic states such as aging, cancer, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) wasting, although the implications of these changes with regard to function have not been well documented. The effects of androgens on fat mass have also generated much interest because of the potential effects of androgens in modulating cardiovascular risk. Additionally, there is excitement about the application of androgens to women because of the potential for beneficial effects on body composition in women with hypopituitarism and menopause. This chapter will provide an overview regarding both physiologic and supraphysiologic testosterone administration on body composition in eugonadal and hypogonadal individuals, including those with sarcopenia in the setting of chronic illness or aging. The potential applications of testosterone administration in these populations will be reviewed.

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  1. Laurence Katznelson MD
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  1. Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    Carrie J. Bagatell MD (Clinical Assistant Professor) & William J. Bremner MD, PhD (The Robert G. Petersdorf Professor and Chairman) (Clinical Assistant Professor) &  (The Robert G. Petersdorf Professor and Chairman)

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Katznelson, L. (2003). Androgens and Body Composition. In: Bagatell, C.J., Bremner, W.J. (eds) Androgens in Health and Disease. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-388-0_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-388-0_13

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-314-5

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