Androgen deprivation therapy and cardiac function: effects of endurance training

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the effects of an 8-week androgen deprivation therapy treatment using Zoladex and an endurance training regimen on cardiac function.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received either Zoladex or placebo. Animals remained sedentary or endurance trained during the drug treatment period. On day 57, ex vivo cardiac function was analyzed.

Results: Hearts from sedentary animals receiving Zoladex possessed significant cardiac dysfunction. However, hearts from exercise trained rats receiving Zoladex possessed cardiac function values similar to those from hearts from placebo animals.

Conclusions: An 8-week treatment with Zoladex promoted cardiac dysfunction. Endurance training during Zoladex treatment protected against this cardiac dysfunction.