Anabolic and Inflammatory Responses to Short-Term Testosterone Administration in Older Men

Skeletal muscle loss is a common consequence of aging and in some individuals reaches a level that compromises health and quality of life. Age-associated increases in cytokine and inflammatory signaling may be important contributors to this process. The investigators will assess the practical question of whether testosterone injection and gel application elicit similar responses. Resistance exercise will be used as a means of stimulating both inflammatory and anabolic responses in skeletal muscle. In order to assess the effects of testosterone on these responses, subjects will perform resistance exercise on two occasions separated by 7 days. The first session will be performed prior to the initiation of testosterone and/or medrol therapy and the second session will be performed after receiving therapy for 7 days.