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Testosterone Enanthate Improves Body Composition and Strength with NO Change in Mood of Behavior
The 1985 edition of Goodman’s and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics states that “the use of these agents (i.e., androgens) does not cause an increase in muscle bulk, strength, or athletic performance-even when a phenomenally large doses are used. The commonly seen increase in body weight is due to retention of water and salt.” This conclusion was based on a review of 25 published papers. Noted scientist Jean Wilson, MD, states in his extensive review of androgens that, “After 30 years of use, it is still unclear whether androgens do, in fact enhance athletic performance.”
What was so interesting about the aforementioned views of androgen use by athletes was the prevailing notion among scientists and physicians that androgens had no ergogenic effect. That notion changed drastically in light of the landmark study by Shalender Bhasin. In this study 43 normal men were randomly assigned into one of four groups.
1. Placebo-No exercise
2. Placebo-Exercise
3. Testosterone-No exercise
4. Testosterone-Exercise
Testosterone Enanthate (TE) or placebo was given intramuscularly once weekly (600 mg) for 10 weeks. Exercise consisted of traditional weightlifting exercises performed three times a week.
RESULTS
Among the TE non-exercise group, TE treatment increased triceps brachii and quadriceps femoris muscle area more than placebo; furthermore bench press and squat press strength increased significantly more in the TE treated group. Those assigned TE plus exercise had the greatest improvements in fat-free mass and strength. NO CHANGE IN MOOD OR BEHAVIOR WAS SEEN IN ANY OF THE MEN GIVEN TE. Perhaps more importantly, there was no significant changes in plasma triglycerides, HDL or LDL cholesterol. Although this study was considered a landmark in the field of androgen physiology, for the vast majority of athletes, it was nothing less than a confirmation of what they had already known for the past 40-50 years. An intriguing aspect of Bhasin’s study was the fact that skeletal muscle hypertrophy can be induced without an exercise stimulus. This went against the previous notion that androgen use was only useful for building muscle mass when heavy resistance training accompanied the administration. Furthermore the lack of behavioral of mood changes flies in the face of the commonly held idea that androgen use could lead to aggressive behavior, aka roid rage. Though a relationship between testosterone levels and aggressive behavior can often be found on various animal species, it is unclear that such a phenomenon occurs consistently in humans. Perhaps those individuals who are already predisposed to aggressive behavior might become more aggressive under the influence of androgens, Alternatively we present the notion that because androgen contribute to gains in skeletal muscle mass, these individuals, who are now larger, are more apt to act aggressively towards other men or women knowing full well they will not be challenged due to their greater body size.
A distinct dichotomy exists in how the media, scientists, and physician view androgen use. Clearly this study showed a beneficial effect on body composition and muscular strength. However, it is unclear why the media has chosen to ignore the fact that 10 week of high dose TE administration had no harmful side effects. No changes in behavior of plasma lipids were seen. Aren’t the two most commonly stated claims of risk associated with androgen use roid rage and increased risk of heart disease. Furthermore, the hypocrisy of the medical establishment in prescribing estrogen replacement therapy for women while ignore potential health benefits of androgen administration in older men is absurd. Only when this topic is devoid of the usual political correctness will health and medical professionals realize that androgen administration might offer enormous benefits.
The 1985 edition of Goodman’s and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics states that “the use of these agents (i.e., androgens) does not cause an increase in muscle bulk, strength, or athletic performance-even when a phenomenally large doses are used. The commonly seen increase in body weight is due to retention of water and salt.” This conclusion was based on a review of 25 published papers. Noted scientist Jean Wilson, MD, states in his extensive review of androgens that, “After 30 years of use, it is still unclear whether androgens do, in fact enhance athletic performance.”
What was so interesting about the aforementioned views of androgen use by athletes was the prevailing notion among scientists and physicians that androgens had no ergogenic effect. That notion changed drastically in light of the landmark study by Shalender Bhasin. In this study 43 normal men were randomly assigned into one of four groups.
1. Placebo-No exercise
2. Placebo-Exercise
3. Testosterone-No exercise
4. Testosterone-Exercise
Testosterone Enanthate (TE) or placebo was given intramuscularly once weekly (600 mg) for 10 weeks. Exercise consisted of traditional weightlifting exercises performed three times a week.
RESULTS
Among the TE non-exercise group, TE treatment increased triceps brachii and quadriceps femoris muscle area more than placebo; furthermore bench press and squat press strength increased significantly more in the TE treated group. Those assigned TE plus exercise had the greatest improvements in fat-free mass and strength. NO CHANGE IN MOOD OR BEHAVIOR WAS SEEN IN ANY OF THE MEN GIVEN TE. Perhaps more importantly, there was no significant changes in plasma triglycerides, HDL or LDL cholesterol. Although this study was considered a landmark in the field of androgen physiology, for the vast majority of athletes, it was nothing less than a confirmation of what they had already known for the past 40-50 years. An intriguing aspect of Bhasin’s study was the fact that skeletal muscle hypertrophy can be induced without an exercise stimulus. This went against the previous notion that androgen use was only useful for building muscle mass when heavy resistance training accompanied the administration. Furthermore the lack of behavioral of mood changes flies in the face of the commonly held idea that androgen use could lead to aggressive behavior, aka roid rage. Though a relationship between testosterone levels and aggressive behavior can often be found on various animal species, it is unclear that such a phenomenon occurs consistently in humans. Perhaps those individuals who are already predisposed to aggressive behavior might become more aggressive under the influence of androgens, Alternatively we present the notion that because androgen contribute to gains in skeletal muscle mass, these individuals, who are now larger, are more apt to act aggressively towards other men or women knowing full well they will not be challenged due to their greater body size.
A distinct dichotomy exists in how the media, scientists, and physician view androgen use. Clearly this study showed a beneficial effect on body composition and muscular strength. However, it is unclear why the media has chosen to ignore the fact that 10 week of high dose TE administration had no harmful side effects. No changes in behavior of plasma lipids were seen. Aren’t the two most commonly stated claims of risk associated with androgen use roid rage and increased risk of heart disease. Furthermore, the hypocrisy of the medical establishment in prescribing estrogen replacement therapy for women while ignore potential health benefits of androgen administration in older men is absurd. Only when this topic is devoid of the usual political correctness will health and medical professionals realize that androgen administration might offer enormous benefits.
