前立腺肥大症のGestonorone Caproate(SH-582,Depostat)による治療について - 臨床成績と下垂体-性腺内分泌能におよぼす影響 -

Abstract

The effect of gestonorone caproate (GC) on the pituitary-gonadal axis was studied in 14 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The drug was injected once a week for 12 weeks at the dosage of 200 mg, and after that once every 2 weeks for 12 weeks at the same dosage. LH-RH loading tests were done before therapy, every 6 weeks from the start of therapy and 12 to 20 weeks after cessation of therapy. The clinical response to BPH was also evaluated by routine urological examinations. Gonadotropin (Gn), testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were measured at every LH-RH test. T and DHT were markedly depressed around week 6, then gradually elevated despite the continued administration of GC. These values returned to the pretreatment level by 20 weeks after therapy. As Gn release was inhibited by LH-RH administration, GC may play a role in lowering the T and DHT levels. The clinical effect on BPH was first noticed at week 4-6, and lasted at least for 12 to 20 weeks after cessation of the treatment. The mechanism of the effects seemed to be due to the depressed T level, though the possibility of a direct anti-androgenic action of this drug as has been suggested from the animal experiments cannot be excluded.