Randomized Study of Testosterone and Progressive Resistance Exercise in Men With Burn Injury

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether testosterone normalization ameliorates muscle protein hypercatabolism by increasing net protein synthesis in men with burn injury. II. Determine whether the effectiveness of testosterone is enhanced by stimulation of inward amino acid transport as a consequence of hyperaminoacidemia in these men. III. Determine whether testosterone normalization during hospitalization minimizes the need for rehabilitation by increasing net protein synthesis and preserving skeletal muscle in these men. IV. Determine whether testosterone normalization after hospital discharge and throughout convalescence increases muscle strength and lean body mass after burn injury by increasing net protein synthesis. V. Determine whether testosterone combined with progressive resistance exercise during convalescence confers added benefits on muscle protein synthesis, and in turn, lean body mass and muscle strength in these patients.