ENDOCRINE EFFECTS OF SPIRONOLACTONE IN MAN

Abstract

A double blind, controlled study was carried out to investigate the effects of administering spironolactone, 200 mg daily, to 5 healthy male volunteers. The patterns of change in plasma testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) after spironolactone were significantly different from placebo and there were significant increases in the urinary excretion of androsterone (A), aetiocholanolone (EC) and total estrogen. Urinary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) excretion, after an initial rise, declined progressively during the treatment period relative to controls. The results are discussed in the light of previous observations. Treatment with spironolactone for 2-4 days will lead to a transient rise in plasma T and urinary DHA. Continued treatment (4-10 days) may cause increased LH secretion, with normalization of plasma T and DHA excretion. These changes were accompanied by increased androgen catabolism and a slightly increased conversion of androgens to estrogens. Healthy men may therefore show alterations in sex steroid metabolism if treated for several days with high doses of spironolactone.