A Phase IIA Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Study the Efficacy and Safety of the Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM), MK-0773 in Female Participants with Sarcopenia

In a phase IIA clinical trial involving 170 elderly women with sarcopenia, the selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) MK-0773 was evaluated for its efficacy and safety. Participants were given MK-0773 50mg twice daily or a placebo for 6 months, along with Vitamin D and protein supplementation. The study found that MK-0773 significantly increased lean body mass (LBM) by approximately 1kg compared to placebo (p<0.001), but did not significantly improve muscle strength or physical function. Adverse events were similar between the groups, though there were more instances of increased transaminases in the MK-0773 group, which resolved after discontinuation. The study concluded that while MK-0773 was generally safe and increased LBM, it did not lead to significant improvements in strength or function, suggesting that the observed benefits might be due to the supplementation rather than the drug itself. Further research might explore higher doses or combination with strength training for more significant effects.