— Androgen precursor might assist cirrhosis-related sarcopenia
by Katherine Kahn,
Personnel Writer, MedPage Today
June 11, 2024
An investigational testosterone prodrug led to enhancements in skeletal muscle mass and quality, and decreased rates of hepatic encephalopathy in guys with cirrhosis and sarcopenia, according to a little stage II pilot research study.
In a customized intention-to-treat analysis, guys with cirrhosis had a boost in the L3-skeletal muscle index (L3-SMI) of 4.1 cm2/ m2 after 24 weeks of treatment with LPCN 1148, compared to a drop of 0.6 cm2/ m2 in the L3-SMI amongst those who got a placebo (P<0.01), reported Arun Sanyal, MD, of the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, at the European Association for the Study of the Liver in Milan.
The outcome represented a placebo-adjusted 9.9% boost in the L3-SMI in the LPCN 1148 group, and the boost was preserved through week 48, Sanyal informed participants.
When the 6 individuals in the placebo group changed to treatment with LPCN 1148 at week 24, their L3-SMI increased substantially by 8.1 cm2/ m2or 16.7%, at week 48 (P<0.01).
“Sarcopenia prevails in cirrhosis and effects medically significant results,” he kept in mind. “In addition, it increases health care resource usage.”
“There are numerous systems that add to sarcopenia in cirrhosis,” Sanyal explained. “Of these, a number of paths are affected by androgens, which are connected to muscle mass hinder myostatin. Of guys with cirrhosis, 90% have low-free testosterone.”
LPCN 1148 is an oral ester prodrug of bioidentical testosterone, testosterone dodecanoate. “It’s not an exogenous testosterone analog,” Sanyal stressed. Based upon its androgenic system of action, it is anticipated that LPCN 1148 might have anabolic results, such as a boost in muscle mass, bone density, and enhanced dietary status. It might likewise enhance liver function, therefore decreasing ammonia levels, and cause hematopoiesis.
‘Worth Pursuing Forward’
LPCN 1148 likewise increased premium muscle at week 24 by 12.1% compared to a boost of 1.2% with placebo (P<0.05). The prodrug-treated clients had a reduction in intramuscular adipose tissue of 19.7% versus a reduction of 9.2% in placebo receivers (P<0.05).
Reoccurrence of obvious hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) likewise reduced amongst clients in the LPCN 1148 treatment group while on basic medication for hepatic encephalopathy. At 24 weeks, those in the LPCN 1148 group had 2 OHE occasions versu