Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca Durabolin) and Bone Density

A number of studies show that anabolic steroids can increase bone density.
The studies below showed that nandrolone decanoate does.

Nandrolone decanoate for men with osteoporosis.Hamdy RC, Moore SW, Whalen KE,
Landy C.Am J Ther. 1998 Mar;5(2):89-95.

To compare the efficacy and safety of nandrolone decanoate
and calcium (NDC) with those of calcium alone (CAL) in men with
idiopathic osteoporosis, a 12-month, randomized, prospective, controlled
study, was performed in an outpatient clinic. Twenty-one men with idiopathic
osteoporosis (as determined by radiological and dual energy x-ray
absorptiometry findings) were randomly allocated to either 50 mg nandrolone
decanoate intramuscularly (im) weekly and 1,000 mg oral calcium carbonate
daily (NDC group) or to 1,000 mg oral calcium carbonate daily (CAL group).
Bone densitometry (total body, left femur, and lumbar spine), serum, and
urine biochemical parameters were measured at 3-month intervals. In the NDC
group, bone mineral density initially increased, reached a plateau, and then
decreased to near baseline levels at 12 months. Increases in lean muscle mass
mirrored these changes. Free and total testosterone significantly decreased.
Hemoglobin increased in all patients in this group. Patients in the CAL group
exhibited no significant change in either total body or bone mineral density
or biochemical parameters. Thus, nandrolone decanoate, 50 mg im weekly,
transiently increases the bone mass of men with idiopathic osteoporosis in
this preliminary study. Careful monitoring is necessary.

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Effects of nandrolone decanoate on bone mass in established osteoporosis.
Passeri M, Pedrazzoni M, Pioli G, Butturini L, Ruys AH, Cortenraad MG.
Maturitas. 1993 Nov;17(3):211-9.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 46
postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis in order to assess the
long-term effects of nandrolone decanoate on the bone mineral density (BMD)
of the lumbar vertebrae and of the distal third of the radius and on the
biochemical markers of bone turnover. The patients received intramuscular
injections of placebo or 50 mg nandrolone decanoate every 3 weeks for 18
months. Thirty-two of the initial 46 patients completed 1 year of study and
25 completed the whole study period of 18 months. Overall, vertebral BMD
increased by 2.9% in the nandrolone decanoate group and fell by 2.3% in the
placebo group. Radial BMD showed a slight but transient improvement, with a
subsequent return to basal levels in the nandrolone decanoate group, whereas
there was a progressive decrease in the placebo group. Patients treated with
nandrolone decanoate also complained less of bone pain. Urinary
hydroxyproline decreased significantly in treated patients, whereas
osteocalcin tended to increase, but the change was not significant. HDL
cholesterol concentrations decreased only slightly and haemoglobin increased
significantly in the nandrolone decanoate group. Two patients treated with
nandrolone decanoate withdrew from the study because of hirsutism and
hoarseness. The results indicate that nandrolone decanoate exerts positive
effects on vertebral BMD and on bone pain in patients with established
postmenopausal osteoporosis.

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Effects of nandrolone decanoate therapy on bone mass and calcium metabolism
in women with established post-menopausal osteoporosis: a double-blind
placebo-controlled study.Gennari C, AgnusDei D, Gonnelli S, Nardi P.Maturitas.
1989 Sep;11(3):187-97.

In many patients with involutional osteoporosis anabolic steroids may
produce a rapid subjective improvement and a pronounced reduction in the
frequency of complaints. Animal experiments have demonstrated that anabolic
steroids can also have an objective effect on bone tissue. Twenty (20) post-
menopausal osteoporotic patients were randomly assigned to 2 different treatment
regimens; 10 patients were treated with 50 mg i.m. of nandrolone decanoate
(ND) every 3 wk for 12 mth and 10 patients were treated with a placebo. Both
groups also received an oral calcium supplement (1 g/day). Bone mineral
content (BMC) was measured by dual photon absorptiometry before and after 1,
3, 6 and 12 mth of treatment. Plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and urinary
hydroxyproline excretion were measured at the same time. Intestinal calcium
absorption was measured by the 47Ca oral test before and after treatment. A
transiliac bone biopsy was performed before and after treatment in 4 patients
in each group. After 1 yr there was a significant increase in lumbar spine
BMC in the group receiving calcium plus ND. A progressive increase in plasma
ALP was also observed in the group treated with ND but this was not
significant, whereas radiocalcium absorption did increase significantly in
this group. Histomorphometric study of bone samples demonstrated a
significant increase in trabecular bone volume (TBV) and in active osteoid
surface area in the patients treated with ND. Because plasma ALP tends to
increase when a small decrease in bone resorption occurs (as measured by
urinary hydroxyproline excretion) and the active osteoid surfaces also
significant augment, we concluded that ND therapy increases the bone
formation rate through inhibition of bone resorption. This interpretation
could explain the considerable increase in lumbar spine BMC and the
significant increase in TBV observed in patients treated with ND.

Nelson Vergel
powertx@aol.com

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not;
nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full
of educated derelics. Persistence and determination are omnipotent." Calvin
Coolidge, 30th President of the US.