Androgen Deprivation Therapy Muscle Protein Metabolism and Blood Glucose

The Effect of Androgen Deprivation Therapy on Regulation of Muscle Protein Metabolism and Blood Glucose

Prostate cancer (PCa) patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (e.g., Zoladex), experience troublesome side effects during and after treatment (e.g., loss of lean body mass (LBM) and increased fat mass). Although the negative effects of ADT on muscle mass are well documented, the cellular effects of ADT on muscle tissue are still largely unknown, and studies investigating the mechanisms are highly warranted. Furthermore, understanding the cellular mechanisms through which ADT negatively influences muscle mass and glucose metabolism is important so that appropriate measures can be taken to counteract muscle wasting and comorbidities during ADT. Thus, PCa patients on ADT (Zoladex), along with non-ADT treated PCa patients serving as controls, will be invited to participate in this study, that aims to investigate the influence of ADT on the basal muscle protein turnover, as well as the responses to strength training. Secondary aims are to investigate between-group differences in blood glucose and insulin responses following a meal).

Prostate cancer (PCa) patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (e.g., Zoladex), which leads to castrate levels of testosterone, experience troublesome side effects during and after treatment. Commonly reported side effects are loss of lean body mass (LBM) and increased fat mass, as well as impaired glucose- and fat metabolism. Strength training has shown positive effects on LBM in PCa patients on ADT, however, counteracting a substantial LBM loss observed in the control groups seem to account for the intervention effect seen in several of the individual studies. Thus, the real LBM gain following strength training in PCa patients on ADT may be hampered compared to healthy elderly men, but data on this is limited in the literature.

The planned acute recovery study is a continuation of the physical exercise and prostate cancer (PEPC) trial, which was a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of strength training on body composition, muscle strength, and muscle cellular outcomes during ADT.

Beyond locomotion and activity of daily living, the skeletal muscle tissue plays an important role in glucose metabolism, and impaired glucose uptake to the muscle is associated with diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. In fact, increased levels of fasted blood glucose and insulin have been reported during the first year of ADT. Interestingly, insulin resistance has been noted as early as three months into the treatment. Insulin resistance may, in addition to the increased risk for metabolic comorbidities, also impair the anabolic response in muscles to feeding and exercise. Consequently, the accelerated muscle mass loss, and the potential limited response to strength training might be interlinked to the reduction in insulin sensitivity in PCa patients receiving ADT.

Although the negative effects of ADT on muscle mass are well documented, the cellular effects of ADT on muscle tissue are still largely unknown, and studies investigating the mechanisms are highly warranted. Furthermore, understanding the cellular mechanisms through which ADT negatively influences muscle mass and glucose metabolism is important so that appropriate measures can be taken to counteract muscle wasting and comorbidities during ADT. The present study is designed to address these issues.

PCa patients on ADT (Zoladex), along with non-ADT treated PCa patients serving as controls, will be invited to participate in this study. The aim is to investigate the influence of ADT on the basal muscle protein turnover, as well as the responses to strength training. Furthermore, secondary aims are to investigate between-group differences in blood glucose and insulin responses following a meal).

Inclusion criteria

All of the following conditions must apply to the prospective patient at screening prior to participation:

• Histologically verified prostate cancer, and either currently on Zoladex or without any current or no past usage of any ADT
• Between 18 and 75 years of age
• Capable of reading and understanding Norwegian, and able to provide informed consent
• Treating oncologist/ study medical doctor´s (KMR) approval for participation
• Signed informed consent must be obtained and documented according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and national/local regulations.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded from the study if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Routine resistance training (>1 weekly session, last six months)

• Treated with Warfarin, or if seponation of acetylsalicylic acid is not recommended

• Conditions where heavy resistance exercise is contraindicated:

  • Unregulated hypertension
  • Unstable angina pectoris
  • Recent myocardial infarction (<1 year)
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Severe asthma
  • Recent stroke (<1 year)
  • Epilepsy
  • Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • Unstable bone lesions with increased risk of fractures

• Conditions where patients ability to complete the training sessions is challenged:

  • Uncontrolled pain
  • Severe arthritis
  • Scheduled hip or knee replacement
  • Pathologic fractures last six months
  • Amputations
  • Walker or wheelchair user

• Mentally incompetent conditions:

  • Severe anxiety or depression
  • Dementia
  • Known alcoholism or substance abuse
  • Mentally retarded