# ANABOLIC STEROID EFFECTS ON BONE AND ARTERIES

> **NIH NIH R01** · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY · 1991 · $360,278

## Abstract

DESCRIPTION:  (Adapted from investigator's abstract) The long-term
objectives of this study are to evaluate, in surgically menopausal (SM)
monkeys, the therapeutic effectiveness of an anabolic steroid (nandrolone
decanoate) for postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) and to evaluate the
compound for cardiovascular disease risks.  Surgically menopausal
cynomolgus monkeys develop rapidly progressive osteopenia and coronary
artery atherosclerosis in patterns highly analogous to those of
postmenopausal women.  Any compound used for the treatment of osteoporosis
should consider both skeletal and cardiovascular effects.  The specific
aims are:  (1) to determine if anabolic steroid treatment prevents the bone
loss that occurs in SM cynomolgus; (2) determine if this treatment has
lasting beneficial effects; (3) determine if anabolic steroid treatment
increases bone volume, density, and strength in osteopenic macaques; (4)
study mechanisms by which these compounds prevent bone loss and/or restore
bone; and (5) evaluate whether anabolic steroid treatment has adverse
effects on the cardiovascular system.

Seventy-five young adult female cynomolgus macaques will be divided into 5
groups of 15 animals each:  (Group A) sham-ovariectomized; (Group B)
ovariectomized (OVX), untreated; (Group C) OVX, treated with nandrolone
decanoate for 24 months; (Group D) OVX, untreated for 12 months and then
treated with nandrolone decanoate for 12 months; and (Group E) OVX, treated
with nandrolone decanoate for the initial 12 months and then untreated for
12 months.  Throughout the 24-month trial, serum markers of bone turnover,
bone densitometry, plasma lipids, bone biopsies (for histomorphometry,
immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization), serum chemistry measurements,
sex hormone levels, and body measurements will be evaluated.  At the end of
the trial, all monkeys will be necropsied and the groups compared for bone
changes, cardiovascular disease risk factors and atherosclerosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3121751
- **Project number:** 1R01AG009827-01
- **Recipient organization:** WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MBU6HCLNZ431
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID WEAVER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $360,278
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1991-05-01 → 1994-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3121751

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3121751, ANABOLIC STEROID EFFECTS ON BONE AND ARTERIES (1R01AG009827-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3121751. Licensed CC0.

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