Body composition during long-term administration of cortisone and anabolic steroids in an asthmatic subject

Abstract

Metabolic balance studies were performed during 20 months in a male, asthmatic subject, who had developed muscular atrophies and osteoporosis during treatment with cortisone. Cortisone administration was continued during the whole investigation and, during one part of the study, an anabolic steroid, 19-nortestosterone-phenylpropionate, was also given. Exchangeable potassium and sodium were determined repeatedly by isotope dilution using K 42 and Na 24. Dermal potassium and nitrogen losses were determined. In the latter part of the study, dermal losses of calcium were also estimated. Body cell mass (BCM) increased initially with clinical improvement and adequate food intake and did not decrease during the continued cortisone treatment. Anabolic treatment did not result in a larger BCM than could be attained without such treatment. Muscular atrophies persisted. The calcium balance was initially slightly positive on an intake of 1700 mg./day and was not influenced by anabolic treatment. An increase in the calcium intake to 2600 mg./day led to calcium retention. Dermal potassium and nitrogen losses amounted to an average of 10 mEq. of potassium daily and 0.9 Gm. of nitrogen. Due to such losses, the results of the orthodox balance studies were highly misleading. Dermal calcium losses were small and amounted to an average of 40 mg./day.