Dose-Response of Gonadal Steroids and Bone Turnover in Older Men

The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of testosterone and/or estradiol at which changes in bone turnover, body composition, strength, sexual function etc. begin to occur in older men. This information may help determine when to intervene with hormone replacement therapy in aging men.

In this protocol, men age 60-75 will be randomized to one of 6 groups. Groups 1-5 will receive goserelin acetate (Zoladex) plus 0 (placebo gel), 1.25, 2.5, 5, or 10\* g/day of testosterone gel (Androgel). Group 6 will receive placebos for both goserelin acetate and testosterone gel. (\*Note that the 10 g/day dose was reduced to 7.5 g/day part-way through the trial due to reports of possible increased risk of cardiovascular events with testosterone administration).

Subjects will be blinded with respect to group assignment. Dietary calcium intake will be assessed by a research dietitian and adjustments made through diet or supplements so that calcium intake is between 1000 and 1200 mg/day.

Subjects will be seen on the Clinical Research Center at 4 week intervals for 16 weeks (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks). At each visit, compliance with Androgel will be assessed by reviewing a medication diary. A standardized series of questions will be posed to each subject to assess potential side effects of the study drugs. Subjects receiving Androgel' will be given a new 4 week supply of medication (except at week 16). A fasting blood and second voided urine sample will be collected. After the blood and urine samples have been obtained, subjects will be given their goserelin injection. The blood and urine tests listed below as well as anthropometric measures, and questionnaires will be performed at each visit. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), quantitate computed tomography (QCT) scans, and strength assessments will be performed at 0 and 16 weeks only. Subjects who discontinue participation at or after week 8 will be asked if they are willing to have an early discontinuation visit in which all procedures normally done at week 16 will be performed.

The following measures will be assessed:

* Routine chemistries and prostate specific antigen, PSA (for safety assessment)
* Bone turnover using blood and urine tests
* Hormones
* Lipids
* Body composition
* Strength
* Sexual desire and erectile function
* Bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy men age 60 to 75

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of significant cardiac, renal, pulmonary, hepatic, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or malignant disease, current alcohol or illicit drug abuse, or major psychiatric disorders.
* Current diagnoses of disorders known to affect bone metabolism including hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, osteomalacia, or Paget's disease.
* Current use of medications known to affect bone metabolism including estrogens, androgens, anti-estrogens, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, fluoride, oral or inhaled glucocorticoids, suppressive doses of thyroxine, lithium, pharmacological doses of vitamin D (greater than 2000 IU/day), or anti-convulsants.
* Cognitive or intellectual impairment that precludes complete understanding of the study protocol.
* History of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or clotting disorders.
* Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D \< 15 ng/mL
* Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) \< 10 or \> 65 pg/mL
* Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) \< 0.5 or \> 5.0 U/L
* Serum calcium \> 10.6 mg/dL
* Serum creatinine \> 2 mg/dL
* Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \> 2x the upper limit of normal
* Serum bilirubin \> 2 mg/dL
* Serum alkaline phosphatase \> 150 U/L
* Plasma hemoglobin \< 11 gm/dL
* Hematocrit \> 50
* Fracture within the last 6 months.
* Serum testosterone level \< 270 or \> 1070 ng/dL
* Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level \> 4 ug/L.
* International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) \> 19
* Systolic blood pressure \> 160 or diastolic blood pressure \> 95
* Framingham risk score greater than or equal to 20
* Difficulty walking 2 blocks