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Myotonic dystrophy

Effect of testosterone on total body potassium and on creatinine excretion

Departments of Neurology, Medicine, and Pediatrics of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY.

Muscle w, asting in myotonic dystrophy appears to reflect impaired anabolism rather than accelerated catabolism. We therefore investigated the effects of testosterone, an anabolic hormone, on muscle mass as estimated by creatinine excretion and total body potassium in nine patients with myotonic dystrophy. Weekly injections of testosterone for 10 to 13 weeks increased both creatinine excretion (19%) and total body potassium (16%) in all patients. Metabolic balance data showed a confirmatory accretion of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Because testosterone increases indirect measures of muscle mass, it may deserve a therapeutic trial in myotonic dystrophy.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Griggs, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 673, Rochester, NY 14642.

Supported in part by grants from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Public Health Service grants RR00044 and HD18454 from the Division of Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Kingston was supported by a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Accepted for publication November 2, 1984.

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