Changes in body composition in women treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists

• Published in: Maturitas Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 63 - 68
• Main Authors: Revilla, R, Revilla, M, Villa, L.F, Cortés, J, Arribas, I, Rico, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 30.11.1998; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Body composition; Body Composition - drug effects; Body fat; Bone Density - drug effects; Bone mass; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; Female; GnRH agonists; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - agonists; Humans; Linear Models; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous (drug allergy, mutagens, teratogens...); Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Triptorelin Pamoate - pharmacology; GnRH agonists; Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; Bone mass; Body fat; Body composition; Human; Agonist; Adipose tissue; Toxicity; Body weight; Peptide hormone; Gonadotropin RH; Corporal biometry; Density; Hypothalamic hormone; Dual energy absorptiometry; Water content; Female; Hormone releasing factor; Morphometry
• ISSN: 0378-5122; 1873-4111
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-5122(98)00080-2

Objective: The changes that agonists of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) produce in mineral bone mass are known, but, as far as we know, those produced by these agents in other body compartments are unknown. Methods: We studied these changes using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 50 eugonadal women treated with decapeptyl (Triptoreline®), 3.75 mg injected intramuscularly, at 28-day intervals for 6 months. Results: There were significant increases in fat content (9.5%, P<0.0005) and weight (1.3%, P<0.01), and significant decreases in fat-free mass (−1.9%, P<0.0001) and water content (−1.8%, P<0.0002). Bone mass was lost in the axial skeleton (−3.6%, P<0.0001) but not in the peripheral skeleton. Conclusions: The changes induced in body composition by the GnRH agonists are similar to those of natural menopause.