Erythropoietin in serum and urine in man upon hypoxic stimulation and hypoxic stimulation after pretreatment with fluoxymesterone (author's transl)

Abstract

The effect of the androgen fluoxymesterone (Flu) upon the hypoxic stimulus of erythropoietin (ESF) production was studied in 8 male and 3 female normal human subjects. After 4 weeks Flu pretreatment (40 mg/day/m2 body surface in men and 10 mg in women) hypoxic stimulation corresponding a maximum of 4000 m altitude was employed. After Flu pretreatment serum ESF titers increased by 80%, ESF excretion by 490%, and ESF clearance by 200% compared to hypoxic stimulation alone. The increase in serum ESF titers after Flu plus hypoxic stimulation employing only 25% of the Flu dose in females was higher than in males. ESF excretion, however, was lower in females than in males. Whereas Flu causes a marked increase in ESF production, ESF clearance is even more enhanced. As in the case of other serum proteins not only glomerular filtration, but also tubular processes may be involved in the excretion of ESF. Since results are available after a short term experiment of 24 h the double stimulation (androgen + hypoxia) may be recommended for clinical trials in men testing the ESF stimulating effect of androgens and anabolic hormones.