ClinicalTrials.gg
Active, not recruitingNCT06592144TTUpdated Dec 18, 2024

TESTO-TRIAL: Use of Testosterone in Critically Ill Patients

A Phase 4 interventional study of Testosterone cypionate (200mg/3ml) and Sesame oil (3ml) in Weaning Failure, Muscle Weakness and Mechanical Ventilation Complication, sponsored by Leticia Maria Defendi Barboza Marson. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in Brazil. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-12-18.

Sponsored by Leticia Maria Defendi Barboza Marson · Phase 4, Interventional, and Supportive care

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Aug 2026, 3 months ago, but the record still lists the study as active, not recruiting.
Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
94
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the use of the anabolic agent testosterone cypionate in critically ill patients, compared to placebo, increases the number of ventilator-free days

Read the detailed description

It will be a randomized, controlled, double-blind, single-center clinical trial conducted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the State Hospital of Serrana (HE Serrana). Patients admitted to the ICU who meet the eligibility criteria and have given written informed consent will be randomized into control and intervention groups. Forty-seven patients will be included in each group, totaling 94 patients. The intervention group will receive 200 mg of testosterone cypionate intramuscularly every 5 days for a total of 3 doses. The control group will receive a placebo on the same schedule. After inclusion in the study, demographic and clinical data, laboratory results, ultrasonographic measurements, and functionality and muscle strength scores will be assessed on days 1, 5, 10, and 15 in the ICU and until hospital discharge.

02

Conditions studied

  • Weaning Failure
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Mechanical Ventilation Complication
  • ICU Acquired Weakness
  • Mobility Limitation

Keywords

  • Testosterone
  • Mechanical ventilation
  • Weaning
  • Critical Illness
03

In context

Muscle Weakness

477 studies on the registry are indexed under Muscle Weakness; 73 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 94 is above the median of 44 across 362 interventional studies indexed under Muscle Weakness.

Browse Muscle Weakness studies →

Lead sponsor

This is the only study on the registry with Leticia Maria Defendi Barboza Marson as lead sponsor.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) for seven days or more, or patients on MV with an unsuccessful weaning attempt for at least three days. An unsuccessful weaning attempt is defined as the patient undergoing a Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) on three different days without success, according to the ICU protocol;
  • Over 18 years old;
  • Patients with optimized nutritional therapy, defined by caloric and protein goals met for at least three days;
  • Signing the form (ICF).

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • to the medication, the vehicle of the medication, or the placebo (sesame oil);
  • Venous or arterial thrombosis in the past six months, including acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, acute arterial occlusion, mesenteric ischemia, venous thromboembolism, or pulmonary embolism;
  • (LVEF) below 35%;
  • Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase/ (GPT/ALT) greater than five times the normal level and impaired excretion;
  • Patients with liver cirrhosis (CHILD > B);
  • Pregnant or lactating women;
  • Women of childbearing age;
  • Hematocrit >52%;
  • shock, defined as requiring a norepinephrine dose > 0.5 mcg/kg/min or a vasopressin dose > 0.04 IU/min;
  • Thrombocytopenia \< 20,000/mm³ without a transfusion plan;
  • Personal history of prostate or breast cancer;
  • Active neoplasm of any site;
  • Primary neuromuscular disease, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, or Guillain-Barré syndrome;
  • Current or previous spinal cord injury above C4 (tetraplegia);
  • Patients with total limitation of therapeutic measures;
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(6)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

Hypersensitivity

An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.

LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction)

The share of blood the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) pushes out with each beat, measured by an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or a MUGA scan. About 50–70% is normal.

ALT and AST (liver enzymes)

Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.

Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.

Bilirubin

A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.

Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.

Relapsed and refractory

Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
94 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Testosterone

    Participants will receive 200 mg of testosterone cypionate intramuscularly every 5 days, up to a maximum of 3 doses.

    Drug: Testosterone cypionate (200mg/3ml)

  • Placebo comparator
    Sesame oil

    Participants will receive sesame oil (placebo) intramuscularly every 5 days, up to a maximum of 3 doses.

    Other: Sesame oil (3ml)

Interventions

  • DrugTestosterone cypionate (200mg/3ml)

    Drug page: Testosterone 17 beta-cypionate

    It will be administered intramuscularly every 5 days, totaling 3 doses.

  • OtherSesame oil (3ml)

    It will be administered intramuscularly every 5 days, totaling 3 doses.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Ventilator-free days at 28 days, starting from the date of randomization.

    Evaluate whether the use of the anabolic steroid testosterone cypionate, compared to a placebo, increases the number of ventilator-free days in critically ill patients.

    Time frame: 28 days

Secondary outcomes

  1. Length of stay in the hospital, measured in days.

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone cypionate use on the length of hospital stays.

    Time frame: ICU and hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  2. Length of stay in the ICU, measured in days.

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone cypionate use on the length of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) stays.

    Time frame: ICU and hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  3. Ventilator weaning time in days, starting from the date of randomization.

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone cypionate use on the duration of mechanical ventilation.

    Time frame: ICU stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  4. In-hospital mortality from any cause.

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone cypionate use on in-hospital mortality.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  5. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score during the ICU stay, starting from the date of randomization.

    Evaluate the effects of using testosterone cypionate on the SOFA score during ICU hospitalization. This score is used to assess the degree of organ dysfunction in the patient, with scores ranging from 0 to 24 points; the higher the score, the greater the severity and risk of mortality in critically ill patients.

    Time frame: ICU stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  6. Diaphragmatic muscle thickness.

    Evaluate the effects of using testosterone cypionate on the diaphragmatic muscle during hospitalization by measuring diaphragm thickness (in millimeters) through ultrasonography.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks

  7. Diaphragmatic thickening fraction.

    Evaluate the effects of using testosterone cypionate on the diaphragmatic muscle during hospitalization through ultrasonography. The thickening fraction is calculated using the following equation: (Final inspiratory diaphragm thickness - Final expiratory diaphragm thickness)/Final expiratory diaphragm thickness × 100. If the result is greater than 36%, it predicts successful weaning from mechanical ventilation.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks

  8. Skeletal muscle assessment: quadriceps thickness.

    Evaluate the effects of using testosterone cypionate on the thickness of the rectus femoris muscle by measuring its thickness at maximum and minimum compression through ultrasonographic analysis.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  9. Skeletal muscle assessment: Medical Research Council Sum-Score (MRC-SS).

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone cypionate on muscle strength gain using the MRC, which scores muscle strength from 0 (no contraction) to 5 (normal muscle contraction) for shoulder flexors, elbow flexors, wrist extensors, hip flexors, knee extensors, and ankle dorsiflexors, totaling 60 points.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  10. Skeletal muscle assessment: dynamometry.

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone on muscle strength gain by measuring handgrip strength using dynamometry with the JAMAR dynamometer.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  11. Skeletal muscle assessment: calf circumference.

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone on muscle mass gain indirectly by measuring calf circumference (in centimeters).

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  12. Functionality and quality of life of critically ill patients during hospital stay: ICU Mobility Scale.

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone cypionate use on functionality scores, including the ICU Mobility Scale (IMS) to objectively measure the mobility of patients in the ICU. This scale has a score ranging from 0 to 10, where a score of zero indicates low mobility (interpreted as a patient who only performs passive bed exercises) and a score of 10 indicates high mobility (interpreted as a patient who is independently ambulatory, without assistance).

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  13. Functionality and quality of life of critically ill patients during hospital stay: Perme Intensive Care Unit Mobility Score.

    Perme Intensive Care Unit Mobility Score objectively measures the mobility condition of a patient in the ICU. This mobility scale has a score ranging from 0 to 32 points, divided into 15 items grouped into 7 categories: mental state, potential barriers to mobility, functional strength, bed mobility, transfers, assistive devices for ambulation, and endurance measures. In this scale, a higher score indicates greater mobility and less need for assistance. Conversely, a lower score indicates reduced mobility and a greater need for assistance.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  14. Functionality and quality of life of critically ill patients during hospital stay: FSS-ICU (Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit).

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone on the functionality of critically ill patients using the FSS-ICU, a tool that involves five functional tasks (rolling, transferring from supine to sitting, transferring from sitting to standing, sitting on the edge of the bed, and walking). Each task is assessed using an 8-point ordinal scale, ranging from 0 (completely unable to perform) to 7 (complete independence).

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  15. Functionality and quality of life of critically ill patients during hospital stay: TUG (Timed Up and Go).

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone cypionate use on functionality scores, including the TUG (Timed Up and Go). The parameter evaluated is the time spent (in seconds) to rise from a chair, walk a distance of 3 meters, and return to sit down. The test is considered normal when the time taken is less than 10 seconds. If the time is between 10 and 19 seconds, the elderly person is considered to have a moderate risk of falling, and this risk increases when the time is 20 seconds or more.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  16. Correlation of serum testosterone levels, clinical characteristics, and demographics of patients.

    Evaluate the correlation between patients clinical and demographic characteristics, as well as free testosterone serum levels in the placebo and intervention groups.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  17. Correlation with serum levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit, in addition to patients clinical characteristics.

    Evaluate the correlation between patients clinical and demographic characteristics and laboratory test levels, about the use of testosterone and the stimulation of erythropoietin production, leading to an increase in red blood cell production and, consequently, an increase in hemoglobin (normal value: 12.5 to 17.2 g/dL) and hematocrit (37-49%).

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  18. Correlation with serum albumin levels and patients clinical characteristics.

    Evaluate the correlation between patients clinical and demographic characteristics and laboratory test levels, considering the affinity of total testosterone to albumin (normal value: 3.2 to 4.8 g/dL).

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  19. Functionality and quality of life of critically ill patients during hospital stay: the Barthel Index.

    Evaluate the effects of using testosterone cypionate on functionality scores, including the Barthel Index at hospital discharge. The Barthel Index consists of ten items, such as feeding, transferring from bed to chair and back, personal hygiene, using the toilet, bathing, walking on a flat surface, stairs, dressing, fecal continence, and bladder continence. Each item has variable scores ranging from zero to fifteen points, depending on the individuals level of functional dependence. The maximum score is 100, which is assigned only if the patient does not require any assistance.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

  20. Quality of life of critically ill patients during hospital stay: EQ-5D (EuroQol 5-Dimension).

    Evaluate the effects of testosterone cypionate use on quality of life, including the EQ-5D (EuroQol 5-Dimension) at hospital discharge. The EQ-5D includes five levels of response for each of the five variables assessed: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Each variable is scored from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates no problems and 5 indicates extreme problems. The final score is a combination of the numbers assigned to each variable, resulting in a five-digit code that represents the patients health status.

    Time frame: Hospital stay, assessed up to 8 weeks.

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Hospital Estadual Serrana
    Serrana, SP/Brazil 14150-000, Brazil
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Wischmeyer PE, Suman OE, Kozar R, Wolf SE, Molinger J, Pastva AM. Role of anabolic testosterone agents and structured exercise to promote recovery in ICU survivors. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2020 Oct;26(5):508-515. doi: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000757. PubMed 32773614 ↗
  • Stanojcic M, Finnerty CC, Jeschke MG. Anabolic and anticatabolic agents in critical care. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016 Aug;22(4):325-31. doi: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000330. PubMed 27272101 ↗
  • Anstey MH, Rauniyar R, Fitzclarence E, Tran N, Osnain E, Mammana B, Jacques A, Palmer RN, Chapman A, Wibrow B. Muscle Growth and Anabolism in Intensive Care Survivors (GAINS) trial: a pilot randomised controlled trial. Acute Crit Care. 2022 Aug;37(3):295-302. doi: 10.4266/acc.2021.01767. Epub 2022 Jun 27. PubMed 35791659 ↗
  • Basaria S, Coviello AD, Travison TG, Storer TW, Farwell WR, Jette AM, Eder R, Tennstedt S, Ulloor J, Zhang A, Choong K, Lakshman KM, Mazer NA, Miciek R, Krasnoff J, Elmi A, Knapp PE, Brooks B, Appleman E, Aggarwal S, Bhasin G, Hede-Brierley L, Bhatia A, Collins L, LeBrasseur N, Fiore LD, Bhasin S. Adverse events associated with testosterone administration. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jul 8;363(2):109-22. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1000485. Epub 2010 Jun 30. PubMed 20592293 ↗
  • Anstey M, Desai S, Torre L, Wibrow B, Seet J, Osnain E. Anabolic Steroid Use for Weight and Strength Gain in Critically Ill Patients: A Case Series and Review of the Literature. Case Rep Crit Care. 2018 May 7;2018:4545623. doi: 10.1155/2018/4545623. eCollection 2018. PubMed 29854477 ↗
  • Li H, Guo Y, Yang Z, Roy M, Guo Q. The efficacy and safety of oxandrolone treatment for patients with severe burns: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Burns. 2016 Jun;42(4):717-27. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2015.08.023. Epub 2015 Oct 9. PubMed 26454425 ↗
  • Dres M, Demoule A. Diaphragm dysfunction during weaning from mechanical ventilation: an underestimated phenomenon with clinical implications. Crit Care. 2018 Mar 20;22(1):73. doi: 10.1186/s13054-018-1992-2. PubMed 29558983 ↗
  • Zambon M, Greco M, Bocchino S, Cabrini L, Beccaria PF, Zangrillo A. Assessment of diaphragmatic dysfunction in the critically ill patient with ultrasound: a systematic review. Intensive Care Med. 2017 Jan;43(1):29-38. doi: 10.1007/s00134-016-4524-z. Epub 2016 Sep 12. PubMed 27620292 ↗
  • Haaksma ME, Smit JM, Boussuges A, Demoule A, Dres M, Ferrari G, Formenti P, Goligher EC, Heunks L, Lim EHT, Mokkink LB, Soilemezi E, Shi Z, Umbrello M, Vetrugno L, Vivier E, Xu L, Zambon M, Tuinman PR. EXpert consensus On Diaphragm UltraSonography in the critically ill (EXODUS): a Delphi consensus statement on the measurement of diaphragm ultrasound-derived parameters in a critical care setting. Crit Care. 2022 Apr 8;26(1):99. doi: 10.1186/s13054-022-03975-5. PubMed 35395861 ↗
  • Santana PV, Cardenas LZ, Albuquerque ALP, Carvalho CRR, Caruso P. Diaphragmatic ultrasound: a review of its methodological aspects and clinical uses. J Bras Pneumol. 2020 Nov 20;46(6):e20200064. doi: 10.36416/1806-3756/e20200064. eCollection 2020. PubMed 33237154 ↗
  • Santangelo E, Mongodi S, Bouhemad B, Mojoli F. The weaning from mechanical ventilation: a comprehensive ultrasound approach. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2022 Jun 1;28(3):322-330. doi: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000941. PubMed 35653254 ↗
  • Galindo Martin CA, Monares Zepeda E, Lescas Mendez OA. Bedside Ultrasound Measurement of Rectus Femoris: A Tutorial for the Nutrition Support Clinician. J Nutr Metab. 2017;2017:2767232. doi: 10.1155/2017/2767232. Epub 2017 Mar 13. PubMed 28386479 ↗
  • Paris MT, Mourtzakis M, Day A, Leung R, Watharkar S, Kozar R, Earthman C, Kuchnia A, Dhaliwal R, Moisey L, Compher C, Martin N, Nicolo M, White T, Roosevelt H, Peterson S, Heyland DK. Validation of Bedside Ultrasound of Muscle Layer Thickness of the Quadriceps in the Critically Ill Patient (VALIDUM Study). JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2017 Feb;41(2):171-180. doi: 10.1177/0148607116637852. Epub 2016 Jul 11. PubMed 26962061 ↗
  • Pardo E, El Behi H, Boizeau P, Verdonk F, Alberti C, Lescot T. Reliability of ultrasound measurements of quadriceps muscle thickness in critically ill patients. BMC Anesthesiol. 2018 Dec 27;18(1):205. doi: 10.1186/s12871-018-0647-9. PubMed 30591032 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — Anonymous participant data will be available upon completion of clinical trials and publication of the results of the completed study upon request to the corresponding author. Proposals will be reviewed and approved by the sponsor, researcher, and staff on the basis of scientific merit and absence of competing interests. After the proposal has been approved, data can only be shared through a secure online platform after data access code exchange and a confidentiality agreement are signed.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Dec 18, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06592144
Lead sponsor
Leticia Maria Defendi Barboza Marson
Responsible party
Leticia Maria Defendi Barboza Marson (PhD student, University of Sao Paulo) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Sep 19, 2024
Start date
Sep 9, 2024
Primary completion
Aug 2, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Nov 2, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Dec 18, 2024

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

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Discussion

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Studies of the drug tested here: Testosterone 17 beta-cypionate

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