Endocrinologic and metabolic effects of 17 alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone in women.

Abstract

Endocrinologic and metabolic effects of 17α-methyl-19-nortestosterone (17-MNT) and testosterone propionate (TP) were determined in 40 castrated or postmenopausal women with advanced metastatic carcinoma of the breast. In patients receiving 17-MNT there Was retention of fluid, virilization and withdrawal uterine bleeding. A significant fall in the level of serum protein-bound iodine occurred early in therapy, associated with a decrease in thyroxine-binding protein and an increase in the basal metabolic rate. The level of serum cholesterol increased to abnormal values in patients treated eight weeks or longer. The urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids and of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids fell significantly, but plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid levels were unchanged. Urinary gonadotropin excretion was suppressed. Serum bilirubin concentration rose to abnormal values in all patients receiving more than 4200 mg. of 17-MNT, but there was no change in the results of other routine liver function tests. Apart from a decrease in the level of serum citric acid, there was no alteration in the chemical constituents of either blood or urine. Patients receiving TP showed less fluid retention and greater virilization. The fall in the level of serum protein-bound iodine with TP occurred later and was of lesser magnitude than that observed with 17-MNT. The urinary excretion of 17- ketosteroids increased, but urinary and plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids were unchanged. Urinary gonadotropin excretion was suppressed. Hypokaliemia and hypercalcemia occurred in 1 subject each.