Effects of nandrolone decanoate or testosterone decanoate on murine lupus: further evidence for a dissociation of autoimmunosuppressive and endocrine effects.

Nandrolone decanoate injections (20, 40 or 80 mg/kg/3 weeks) in female or castrated male New Zealand black/white mice, starting at various ages (4, 9, 17 or 26 weeks) prolong survival, reduce proteinuria and affect the weights of various endocrine and non-endocrine organs. Nandrolone decanoate is at least equally potent as testosterone decanoate with respect to its beneficial effects on lupus-associated symptoms; in contrast, its effects on some other androgen-sensitive endocrine parameters are significantly less. These observations show that the autoimmunosuppressive effects of steroids are not quantitatively correlated to endocrine properties.