New researches related to role of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in fat-free mass

According to a trial, treatment with dutasteride (Avodart), a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, doesn’t affect muscle mass in healthy males who take testosterone.
A study related to this issue was conducted. While fat-free mass was enhanced by 0,6-7,1 kg during 20 weeks in men that applied dutasteride and Testosterone Enanthate, fat-free mass was enhanced by 0,8-8,1 kg in those who used placebo and testosterone. As for muscle strength, sexual functions and volume of prostate, they didn’t differ in males of these 2 groups.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are utilized clinically to cure benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia. These are diseases which commonly trouble middle-aged and old males.
DHT represents the chief metabolite of testosterone. But the role of DHT in human development is not studied well. It is supposed that DHT has vital role in development of prostate and phallus.
Middle-aged and elder males with reduced testosterone levels that apply testosterone medicines have risks linked with low muscle mass and sexual disorders.
Nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are also currently studied and developed. It is confirmed that SARMs and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are safe because DHT is supposedly not necessary for effects on muscle mass, energy and sexual activity. It is also doubted whether DHT has any role for androgen’s effects on hematocrit, hemoglobin, lipids and several other factors.
Shalender Bhasin and his colleagues at the Boston University have conducted a clinical trial in order to set whether 5?-reduction to DHT is needed in order to mediate androgen’s effects on fat-free mass. Moreover, the scientist evaluated role of 5?-reduction on sexual activity, hematocrit and levels of lipid.
The study conducted by Bhasin and his colleagues involved healthy men who were 18- 50 years old and had normal levels of testosterone. They used Testosterone Enanthate and dutasteride or placebo. Measures of Testosterone Enanthate ranged from 50 to 600 mg weekly.
Since 5 ?-reductase inhibitors enhance levels of testosterone, all men were given also gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in order to block natural testosterone.
The results of the study manifested that fat-free mass was enhanced due to administration of testosterone. It didn’t differ significantly in men of these two groups. Muscle strength that was also enhanced due to application of testosterone didn’t differ between the two groups as well. Sexual functions, prostate volume, sebum production, hemoglobin, acne, hematocrit didn’t differ substantially between those who were given placebo and dutasteride.
The specialists note that effectiveness of 5?-reductase inhibitors may be limited in men that have normal or increased levels of testosterone. That’s why it is important to check testosterone levels in order to set how bodies will respond to 5 ?-reductase inhibitors.
So, the research has displayed that muscle mass is not affected by 5?-reductase inhibitors.  Males should know that if they have increased levels of testosterone or introduce exogenous testosterone in their bodies, 5?-reductase inhibitors will not cause shrinkage of prostate.