Introduction

As a derivative of androgens, protein assimilation hormones have the effects of promoting protein synthesis, inhibiting protein breakdown, promoting tissue growth, and accelerating wound repair. Nandrolone phenylpropionate (Figure 1) is one of the protein assimilation hormones, currently mainly used in clinical practice for wasting diseases, certain anemia, osteoporosis and other diseases. It has achieved good therapeutic effects in animal and severe burn patients. Nandrolone phenylpropionate acts through androgen receptors, and androgen receptor conformational activation is regulated by nuclear receptor co-regulatory factors, thereby initiating target gene transcription and translation.

1.Effect of nandrolone phenylpropionate on androgen receptor-mediated transcriptional regulation of target genes in rat scald models.[1]

To investigate the effect of nandrolone phenylpropionate on androgen receptor-mediated transcriptional regulation of target gene in rat scald models. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into nandrolone phenylpropionate, model and control groups. In the nandrolone phenylpropionate and model groups, rats were subjected to a 20% total body surface area second-degree scald injury by hot water. Two days after model preparation, rats in these two groups were intramuscularly injected with nandrolone phenylpropionate and saline, once every other day, for a total of 21 days.

The results showed that the gene expression levels of steroid receptor coactivator-1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 in the rat livers and gonads (testes, ovaries) were significantly different between the nandrolone phenylpropionate and model groups (P<0.05), except steroid receptor coactivator-1 in the liver. There were no significant differences in steroid receptor coactivator-1, c-myc and insulin-like growth factor 1 in the rat livers and gonads (testes, ovaries) between model and control groups (P<0.05). The results demonstrate that nandrolone phenylpropionate has different effects on the gene expression of steroid receptor coactivator-1, c-myc and insulin-like growth factor 1 in different tissues under different physiological and pathological conditions.

2.Effect of nandrolone phenylpropionate on Fibroblast and Hepatocyte of Rats after Deep Second-degree Burn Caused by Scalding.[2]

To investigate the effect of protein anabolic hormone on fibroblast and hepatocyte of rat and the mechanism therein involved. Thirty-two Wistar rats with deep second-degree scald injury of 20％ total body surface area（TBSA）were randomly divided into two groups to receive either 5 mg／kg of an anabolic steroid-nandrolone phenylpropionate (NP group) or normal saline as placebo (control group) every other day. Mean Integrated Optical Density (mIOD) of androgen receptor (AR) in fibroblast and hepatocyte of rats were measured by immunohistochemistry individually on the post-burn days 4, 7, 14 and 21．The results showed that the expression levels of AR on fibroblast and hepatocyte in NP group were significantly higher than those in the control group respectively．Nandrolone phenylpropionate can enhance the expression and activation of AR on fibroblast and hepatocyte．

3.Effects of nandrolone phenylpropionate on testis and sex hormone in burned male rat.[3]

To evaluate the effects of nandrolone phenylpropionate (NP) on sex hormone, testis in major burned male rats. Adult male SD rats with a deep second-degree cutaneous bured, 20% total body surface area were randomly divided into two groups to receive either 5 mg/kg NP(NP group) or normal saline as placebo(control group) every other day. Levels of testrone (T) ,estradiol(E2), luteinizing hormone(LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured on the post - burn days of 10,20,30,40,50 and 60. Tissue section of testis were observed by light microscope and electron microscope. The results showed that the levels of T, E2, FSH, LH and the structure and ultrastructure of testis between NP group and control group had no significant difference at every time - point. The side influence of NP testis seemed very limited within this dosage and the treatment period. Nandrolone phenylpropionate had no significant effects on the levels of sex hormone ,and had no significant lesion on testis tissues.

Conclusion

Other experimental results have also confirmed that the molecular mechanism of action of nandrolone phenylpropionate in treating burns is as follows: by upregulating the expression of hepatic albumin mRNA and pre-collagen mRNA in wound granulation fibroblasts, protein synthesis may be promoted at the transcriptional level. To a certain extent, burn patients (or rat models) could reverse negative oxygen balance, overcome high metabolic reactions. Nandrolone phenylpropionate could promote wound healing both systemically and locally, greatly improving the treatment rate of burns.[4]

References 

[1] Li Kai, Cen Ying. The effect of nandrolone phenylpropionate on androgen receptor mediated transcription regulation of target genes in scald model rats [J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2015,19 (40): 6509-6514.

[2] Li Kai, Cen Ying, Liu Ning, etc. Effect of nandrolone phenylpropionate on the Expression of Androgen Receptors in Fibroblasts and Liver Cells of Burned Rats [J]. Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Edition), 2005, (03): 362-364.

[3] Xu Xuewen, Yang Danbo, Cen Ying, etc The effect of nandrolone phenylpropionate on testicular and sex hormone levels in male rats with extensive burns [J]. West China Journal of Pharmacy, 2004, (02): 100-102.

[4]  Cen Ying, Li Kai, Liu Ning, etc. The effect of nandrolone phenylpropionate on the expression of hepatic albumin and pre-wound collagen mRNA in burned rats [J]. Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Edition), 2004, (01): 77-79.