ANDROGEN GLUCURONIDES AS MARKERS OF ANDROGENIC ACTIVITY

摘要

Embodiments of the invention provide methods for diagnosis of diseases and disorders related to androgen amount. This is accomplished by detecting androgen glucuronide derivatives, such as androsterone (ADT) and/or androstane-3a , 17ß -diol (3a -diol) in blood or tissue. In some embodiments of the invention glucuronide derivatives (or their absence) are detected by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and/or gas chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A low amount of glucuronide derivatives in relation to the mean amount of glucuronide derivatives in a comparable sample population is indicative of androgen deficiency. Further embodiments provide methods for treating skin that exhibits signs of ageing, as well as methods for testing the efficacy of compositions for treating skin that exhibits signs of ageing.