LONG TERM EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE IN HIV-INFECTED WOMEN

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. AIDS wasting syndrome is a complication experienced by some women with HIV-infection. Preliminary studies suggest that testosterone levels are lower than expected among HIV-infected women with wasting compared to age-matched, healthy non HIV-infected women. Prior studies, have showed that low doses of testosterone were safe and not associated with adverse effects. In a six month trial, low does of testosterone were shown to improve quality of life, lean muscle mass, strength and muscle function among this population. This study will use a larger amount of testosterone over a longer period of time to see if an improvement in weight, lean muscle mass and bone density will occur. The first 18 months of the study are double blind (neither the subject nor the investigator is aware whether the subject is receiving placebo or testosterone) followed by 12 months of open label testosterone (subject is aware that she is receiving testosterone).