Effect of nandrolone decanonate on paraoxonase activity in hemodialysis patients

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the effect of nandrolone decanonate (ND) on HDL-C, apolipoproteins and paraoxonase (PON) activity in stable hemodialysis patients. Design and methods: 64 hemodialysis patients were treated with ND at a dose of 100 mg/I.M./week for 4 months. HDL-C, Apo-AI, Apo B, concentrations and PON activity were measured before and after 2 and 4 months of treatment as well as 2 months after withdrawing the treatment. Results: After 4 months of treatment, an elevation in the serum levels of Apo B (P < 0.0001) and a marked decrease in the concentration of HDL-C (P < 0.0001), Apo-AI (P < 0.0001) and PON activity (P < 0.0001) were found. A significant correlation between PON and both Apo-AI (r = 0.270, P < 0.04) and HDL-C (r = 0.455, P < 0.0001) and also between HDL-C and Apo-AI (r = 0.305, P < 0.02) were found. Conclusion: Results revealed the adverse effects of ND on apolipoprotein levels in our study population. It is possible that ND reduces PON activity mostly by reducing both the HDL-C and Apo-AI levels.