Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2021, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (8): 1544-1545.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.303026

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Low-dose testosterone replacement therapy and electrically evoked resistance training enhance muscle quality after spinal cord injury

Raymond E. Lai, Ashraf S. Gorgey*   

  1. Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VI, USA
  • Online:2021-08-15 Published:2021-01-13
  • Contact: Ashraf S. Gorgey, MPT, PhD, FACSM, FACRM, ashraf.gorgey@va.gov.
  • Supported by:
    Our upmost appreciation is given to all the study subjects enrolled who have graciously offered their patience, time, and effort in supporting spinal cord research. Additional thanks and recognition are given to the Hunter Holmes McGuire Research Institute and the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Service for providing the facilities, resources, and support for conducting human clinical research trials.  

    The work was supported by the Department of Veteran Affairs, Veteran Health Administration, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (B7867-W (to ASG), the clinical trial registration number for this study was NCT01652040.

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Abstract: The current perspective is aimed to highlight the significance of adding low-dose testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to electrically evoked resistance training (RT). Evoked RT is primarily designed to load the paralyzed lower extremity muscles to elicit muscle hypertrophy in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) (Ryan et al., 2013; Gorgey et al., 2019). The rationale was based on previous work that indicated that high-dose TRT is likely to enhance muscle quality, increase muscle cross-sectional area, and attenuate trabecular bone loss in a rodent model of SCI (Yarrow et al., 2014). However, high-dose TRT may lead to negative medical consequences including the increased risk for blood clots and enlargement of the prostate gland in humans with SCI (Yarrow et al., 2014). As such a complementary approach of adding low-dose TRT to loading exercise may reciprocate the negative effects of SCI on body composition and cardio-metabolic profiles.