Lack of influence of the anabolic steroid nandrolondecanoate on bone metabolism.

Eleven male patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with the anabolic steroid nandrolondecanoate and parameters of calcium and bone metabolism were studied. No changes were found in the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus or hydroxyproline in serum and urine (corrected for the creaturia). A significant decrease (P less than 0.01) was observed in the levels of alkaline phosphatase, but this was attributed to a change in liver enzymes, because the gamma glutamyl transpeptidase fell. Acid phosphatase levels showed an increase, possibly as a result of an effect of nandrolondecanoate on the prostate. No change was found during treatment in the serum levels of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, 25 hydroxyvitamin D, 24, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D and 1.25 dihydroxyvitamin D. A seasonal fluctuation was observed for 25 hydroxyvitamin D and 24, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D, but not for 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. It was concluded that short-term treatment with the anabolic steroid nandrolondecanoate did not result in changes in parameters of calcium and bone metabolism.