Anabolic steroids and their effects of on neuronal density in cortical areas and hippocampus of mice / Esteroides anabolizantes e seus efeitos na densidade neuronal em áreas corticais e no hipocampo de camundongos

Abstract Anabolic substances have been increasingly used by bodybuilders and athletes with the goal of improving performance and aesthetics. However, this practice has caused some concern to physicians and researchers because of unknowledge of consequences that the indiscriminate and illicit use of these substances can cause. Thus, this study analyzed the effects of two commercially available anabolic steroids (AS), Winstrol Depot® (Stanozolol) and Deposteron® (Testosterone Cypionate), in the neuronal density of limbic, motor and sensory regions on the cerebral cortex and in CA1, CA2, CA3 regions of the hippocampus. A total of 60 Swiss mice were used (30 males and 30 females), separated into three groups: control and two experimental groups, which received the AAS. From each brain, homotypic and semi-serial samples were taken in frontal sections from areas established for the study. The results showed that females treated with testosterone cypionate presented a reduction in all regions tested and the ones treated with Stanozolol showed a decrease in some hippocampal areas. Regarding male animals, stanozolol led to a decrease in neuron number in one hippocampal region. These data allow us to conclude that supra-physiological doses of steroids used in this study, can cause considerable damage to nervous tissue with ultrastructural and consequently behavioral impairment. These changes could interfere with the loss of physical yield and performance of athletes and non-athletes and may cause irreparable damage to individuals making irresponsible use of anabolic steroids.

Resumo As substancias anabólicas tem sido cada vez mais utilizadas por fisiculturistas e atletas com o objetivo de melhorar o desempenho e a estética. No entanto, essa prática tem causado algumas preocupações aos médicos e pesquisadores, devido ao desconhecimento das consequencias que o uso indiscriminado e ilícito dessas substâncias podem causar. Diante disso, este estudo analisou os efeitos de dois esteroides anabolizantes (EA) comercialmente disponíveis, Winstrol Depot® (Stanozolol) e Deposteron® (cipionato de testosterona), na densidade neuronal das regiões corticais límbica, motora e sensitive bem como das áreas CA1, CA2, CA3 do hipocampo. Foram utilizados 60 camundongos Swiss (30 machos e 30 fêmeas), separados em três grupos: controle e dois grupos experimentais, que receberam o EA. De cada cérebro, foram coletadas amostras homotípicas e semi-seriadas em cortes frontais das áreas estabelecidas para o estudo. Os resultados mostraram que as fêmeas tratadas com cipionato de testosterona apresentaram uma redução em todas as regiões analisadas já as fêmeas tratadas com Stanozolol mostraram uma diminuição em algumas áreas do hipocampo. Em relação aos animais machos, o stanozolol levou a uma diminuição na densidade neuronal em uma região do hipocampo. Estes dados nos permitem concluir que doses supra fisiológicas de esteroides utilizadas neste estudo podem causar danos consideráveis ao tecido nervoso com comprometimento ultraestrutural e consequentemente comportamental. Essas alterações podem interferir na perda de rendimento físico e no desempenho de atletas e não atletas e podem causar danos irreparáveis a indivíduos que fazem uso irresponsável destes EA.

Swim training reverses some effects of nandrolone decanoate in wistar rats / El entrenamiento en natación revierte algunos efectos del decanoato de nandrolona en los ratones wistar / Treinamento de natação reverte alguns efeitos do decanoato de nandrolona em ratos wistar

ABSTRACT Introduction: The indiscriminate use of androgenic steroids may have deleterious effects on human tissue. Objectives: Evaluate the effects of chronic administration of the steroid nandrolone decanoate (DECA) on autonomic cardiovascular modulation, kidney morphometry and the association between these variables in Wistar rats subjected to physical training with swimming. Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats aged 20 weeks were distributed among four experimental groups according to the training received: sedentary control (SC), sedentary treated with DECA (SD), trained control (TC) and trained treated with DECA (TD). The hemodynamic parameters, including blood pressure and variations in systolic blood pressure (SBPV) and diastolic blood pressure (DBPV), and kidney morphometry were evaluated. The level of significance adopted was 5%. Results: The SD group had higher baseline SBP and DBP values when compared to the SC, TC and TD groups, which were similar to each other. The rats in the SD group had higher systolic blood pressure (SBPV) and diastolic blood pressure (DBPV) variation values and higher absolute and normalized values in the LF band of the DBPV when compared to the animals in the SC, TC and TD groups. The animals in the SD group had a significantly higher rate of kidney fibrosis compared to the SC, TC and TD groups. There were no significant differences between the sympathetic modulation of SBPV through the LF component and kidney fibrosis. Conclusions: Physical training with swimming was effective in preventing the increase in blood pressure levels and lowering the occurrence of kidney fibrosis in animals treated with anabolic steroids. Level of Evidence IV; Series of cases .

RESUMEN Introducción: El uso indiscriminado de esteroides androgénicos puede tener consecuencias nocivas para el organismo. Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos de la administración crónica del esteroide decanoato de nandrolona (DECA) en ratones Wistar sometidos a entrenamiento físico con natación, sobre la modulación autonómica cardiovascular, morfometría renal y asociación entre esas variables. Métodos: Fueron utilizados 32 ratones Wistar machos con edad de 20 semanas, distribuidos en 4 grupos experimentales de acuerdo con el tratamiento recibido: sedentarios controles (SC), sedentarios que recibieron el DECA (SD), entrenados controles (EC) y entrenados que recibieron el DECA (ED). Se evaluaron parámetros hemodinámicos, como presión arterial y variación de la presión arterial sistólica (VPAS) y diastólica (VPAD) y morfometría renal. El nivel de significancia adoptado fue de 5%. Resultados: El grupo SD presentó valores basales mayores de PAS y PAD cuando comparados a los grupos SC, EC y ED, los cuales fueron semejantes entre sí. Los animales del grupo SD tuvieron valores mayores de la variancia de VPAS y VPAD y valores absolutos mayores y normalizados de la banda LF de la VPAD, en comparación con los animales de los grupos SC, EC y ED. El grupo SD tuvo tasa significativamente mayor de fibrosis renal en comparación con los animales de los grupos SC, EC y ED. No se evidenciaron diferencias considerables entre la modulación simpática de la VPAS a través del componente LF y fibrosis renal. Conclusiones: El entrenamiento físico con natación fue efectivo en prevenir el aumento de niveles presóricos y disminuir la ocurrencia de fibrosis renal en animales tratados con esteroide anabolizante. Nivel de Evidencia IV; Serie de casos .

RESUMO Introdução: O uso indiscriminado de esteroides androgênicos pode ter consequências deletérias no organismo. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da administração crônica do esteroide decanoato de nandrolona (DECA) em ratos Wistar submetidos a treinamento físico com natação sobre a modulação autônoma cardiovascular, morfometria renal e associação entre essas variáveis. Métodos: Foram utilizados 32 ratos Wistar machos com idade de 20 semanas, distribuídos em 4 grupos experimentais de acordo com o tratamento recebido: sedentários controles (SC), sedentários que receberam o DECA (SD), treinados controles (TC) e treinados que receberam o DECA (TD). Avaliaram-se parâmetros hemodinâmicos, como pressão arterial e variação da pressão arterial sistólica (VPAS) e diastólica (VPAD) e morfometria renal. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: O grupo SD apresentou valores basais maiores de PAS e PAD quando comparado aos grupos SC, TC e TD, os quais foram semelhantes entre si. Os animais do grupo SD tiveram valores maiores da variância da VPAS e VPAD e valores absolutos maiores e normalizados da banda LF da VPAD, em comparação com os animais dos grupos SC, TC e TD. O grupo SD teve taxa significativamente maior de fibrose renal em comparação com os animais dos grupos SC, TC e TD. Não se evidenciaram diferenças consideráveis entre a modulação simpática da VPAS através do componente LF e fibrose renal. Conclusões: O treinamento físico com natação foi efetivo em prevenir o aumento de níveis pressóricos e diminuir a ocorrência de fibrose renal em animais tratados com esteroide anabolizante. Nível de Evidência IV; Série de casos .

Rotura simultanea bilateral de tendon cuadricipital asociada a anabolizantes esteroideos / Bilateral simultaneous rupture of quadriceps tendon associated to anabolic steroids administration

La rotura bilateral y simultánea del tendón cuadricipital es una lesión rara con pocos reportes en la literatura, que suele ocurrir en mayores de 50 años con enfermedades sistémicas crónicas subyacentes. Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino sano de 32 años con rotura bilateral de tendón cuadricipital durante la práctica de musculación asociada a la administración de anabolizantes esteroideos y el tratamiento realizado

Bilateral and simultaneous rupture of the quadriceps tendon is a rare injury with a few reports in record that usually occurs in people older than 50 years with underlying chronic systemic diseases. We present the case of a healthy 32-year-old male patient with bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture during weight training practice associated to anabolic steroids administration and the treatment provided

Hepatotoxicidad por esteroides anabólicos androgénicos, reporte de 2 casos en Uruguay / Hepatotoxicity induced by anabolic-androgenic steroids, 2 cases report in Uruguay / Hepatotoxicidade por anabolizantes esteróides androgênicos, relato de 2 casos no Uruguai

El consumo ilícito de esteroides anabólicos androgénicos con fines estéticos ha aumentado en los últimos años y, aunque raro, es causa de hepatotoxicidad. Los casos con daño hepatocelular son más frecuentes, pero los colestásicos son más graves y pueden asociarse a falla renal. Salvo por la suspensión del fármaco, la hepatotoxicidad por anabólicos no tiene tratamiento específico. Se describe y discuten las historias clínicas de dos hombres jóvenes, deportistas aficionados que consultaron por ictericia y presentaron colestasis e insuficiencia renal. El reporte de casos, en patologías poco frecuentes, resulta fundamental para difundir y ampliar la información que ayude al clínico a considerar con firmeza este diagnóstico, incluso ante la falta de reconocimiento inicial del consumo por parte del paciente.

Illicit consumption of anabolic-androgenic steroids for aesthetic purposes has increased in recent years. Hepatocellular damage is more frequent, but cholestasis is more dangerous and may be associated with renal failure. The clinical records of two young men, amateur athletes who consulted for jaundice in the last year and denied its consumption at the beginning, are described. Except for the drug interruption, hepatotoxicity by anabolics has no specific treatment. Usually presented as cholestatic liver disease and renal failure, case reports are fundamental to characterize its clinical-evolutionary presentation. This may also allow clinicians to firmly consider diagnosis even when the patient denies consumption.

O uso ilícito de esteróides androgênicos anabólicos para fins estéticos tem aumentado nos últimos anos e, apesar de raro, é causa de hepatotoxicidade. Casos com dano hepatocelular são mais freqüentes, mas colestesia é mais grave e pode estar associada à insuficiência renal. Com exceção da suspensão do medicamento, a hepatotoxicidade anabólica não possui tratamento específico. As histórias clínicas de dois homens jovens, atletas amadores que consultaram para icterícia e apresentaram colestase e insuficiência renal, são descritos e discutidos. O relato de casos, em patologias pouco freqüentes, é fundamental para disseminar e ampliar as informações que auxiliam o clínico a considerar com firmeza esse diagnóstico antes mesmo do não reconhecimento inicial do consumo pelo paciente.

Behavioral cross-sensitization between testosterone and fenproporex in adolescent and adult rats

The abuse of psychoactive drugs is considered a global health problem. During the last years, a relevant number of studies have investigated the relationship between anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and other psychoactive drugs. AAS, such as testosterone, can cause a dependence syndrome that shares many features with the classical dependence to psychoactive substances. Pre-clinical evidence shows that there are interactions between testosterone and psychoactive drugs, such as cocaine. However, few studies have been performed to investigate the effect of repeated testosterone treatment on behavioral effects of amphetamine derivatives, such as fenproporex. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of repeated testosterone administration on fenproporex-induced locomotor activity in adolescent and adult rats. Adolescent male Wistar rats were injected with testosterone (10 mg/kg sc for 10 days). After 3 days, animals received an acute injection of fenproporex (3.0 mg/kg ip) and the locomotor activity was recorded during 40 min. Thirty days later, the same animals received the same treatment with testosterone followed by a fenproporex challenge injection as described above. Our results demonstrated that repeated testosterone induced behavioral sensitization to fenproporex in adolescent but not in adult rats. These findings suggest that repeated AAS treatment might increase the dependence vulnerability to amphetamine and its derivatives in adolescent rats.

Resting spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac autonomic control in anabolic androgenic steroid users

OBJECTIVES: Misuse of anabolic androgenic steroids in athletes is a strategy used to enhance strength and skeletal muscle hypertrophy. However, its abuse leads to an imbalance in muscle sympathetic nerve activity, increased vascular resistance, and increased blood pressure. However, the mechanisms underlying these alterations are still unknown. Therefore, we tested whether anabolic androgenic steroids could impair resting baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac sympathovagal control. In addition, we evaluate pulse wave velocity to ascertain the arterial stiffness of large vessels. METHODS: Fourteen male anabolic androgenic steroid users and 12 nonusers were studied. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate were recorded. Baroreflex sensitivity was estimated by the sequence method, and cardiac autonomic control by analysis of the R-R interval. Pulse wave velocity was measured using a noninvasive automatic device. RESULTS: Mean spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity, baroreflex sensitivity to activation of the baroreceptors, and baroreflex sensitivity to deactivation of the baroreceptors were significantly lower in users than in nonusers. In the spectral analysis of heart rate variability, high frequency activity was lower, while low frequency activity was higher in users than in nonusers. Moreover, the sympathovagal balance was higher in users. Users showed higher pulse wave velocity than nonusers showing arterial stiffness of large vessels. Single linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between mean blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity and pulse wave velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence for lower baroreflex sensitivity and sympathovagal imbalance in anabolic androgenic steroid users. Moreover, anabolic androgenic steroid users showed arterial stiffness. Together, these alterations might be the mechanisms triggering the increased blood pressure in this population.

Hepatite tóxica complicada com lesão renal aguda por hiperbilirrubinemia decorrente do uso excessivo de esteroides anabolizantes / Toxic hepatitis complicated with acute kidney injury due to hyperbilirubinemia from abuse of anabolic steroids

O uso de esteroides anabólicos androgênicos é comum entre jovens praticantes de musculação, devido ao seu efeito trófico no tecido muscula. No entanto, seu abuso pode levar a danos teciduais dose-dependentes graves e irreversíveis. Foi relatado o caso de intoxicação hepática por droga anabolizante complicando com lesão renal aguda por hiperbilirrubinemia. Foram realizadas revisão de prontuário do paciente e pesquisa bibliográfica do assunto, após a assinatura de Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Um homem de 28 anos foi admitido neste hospital por icterícia, perda ponderal, febre alta, náuseas e prurido, sintomas estes iniciados 2 meses antes. À anamnese, revelou uso de estanozolol, testosterona e oximetolona em altas doses durante os 4 anos pregressos. Seus exames iniciais revelaram lesão hepática grave e azotemia, sendo o paciente diagnosticado com insuficiência renal aguda por lesão tubular pela hiperbilirrubinemia, necessitando de hemodiálise. O abuso de substâncias anabolizantes pode levar a complicações com risco de vida. São necessárias informação e divulgação das consequências do uso não terapêutico destas drogas, de modo a desestimular seu uso indiscriminado e a otimizar a habilidade dos setores de saúde em lidar com estes pacientes.(AU)

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids is common among young bodybuilders, because of their trophic effects on muscle tissue; however, the abuse of these substances may lead to dosedependent, severe and irreversible tissue damage. A case of liver poisoning from anabolic drug, complicated by acute kidney injury due to hyperbilirubinemia was reported. The patient's medical report review, and bibliographical research on the subject were conducted after the signing of the Free Informed Consent. A 28-year-old man was admitted in this hospital because of jaundice, weight loss, high fever, nausea and itching, which began 2 months earlier. At history taking, he revealed the use of stanozolol, testosterone, and oxymetholone in higher doses than recommended for 4 years. His first laboratorial tests revealed acute liver damage and azotemia, and the patient was diagnosed with acute kidney injury by tubular lesion caused by hyperbilirubinemia, and the need for hemodyalisis. The abuse of anabolic substances may lead to life-threatening complications. It is necessary to inform and disclose the consequences of non-therapeutic use of these drugs, in order to discourage its indiscriminate use, and to optimize clinical management of these patients in healthcare centers.(AU)

Impact of chronic administration of anabolic androgenic steroids and taurine on blood pressure in rats

Supraphysiological administration of anabolic androgenic steroids has been linked to increased blood pressure. The widely distributed amino acid taurine seems to be an effective depressor agent in drug-induced hypertension. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of chronic high dose administration of nandrolone decanoate (DECA) and taurine on blood pressure in rats and to verify the potentially involved mechanisms. The study was conducted in 4 groups of 8 adult male Wistar rats, aged 14 weeks, treated for 12 weeks with: DECA (A group); vehicle (C group); taurine (T group), or with both drugs (AT group). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured at the beginning of the study (SBP1), 2 (SBP2) and 3 months (SBP3) later. Plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and plasma end products of nitric oxide metabolism (NOx) were also determined. SBP3 and SBP2 were significantly increased compared to SBP1 only in the A group (P<0.002 for both). SBP2, SBP3 and ACE activity showed a statistically significant increase in the A vs C (P<0.005), andvs AT groups (P<0.05), while NOx was significantly decreased in the A and AT groups vs controls (P=0.01). ACE activity was strongly correlated with SBP3 in the A group (r=0.71, P=0.04). These findings suggest that oral supplementation of taurine may prevent the increase in SBP induced by DECA, an effect potentially mediated by angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Morphometric study of the corpus cavernosum after anabolic androgenic steroid administration in pubertal and adult rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the penile morphological modifications of pubertal and adult rats chronically treated with supra-physiological doses of anabolic androgenic steroids. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: two control groups, 105- and 65-day-old (C105 and C65, respectively) injected with peanut oil (vehicle); and two treated groups, 105- and 65-day-old (T105 and T65, respectively) injected with nandrolone decanoate at a dose of 10 mg Kg-1 of body weight. The rats were injected once a week for eight weeks. The rats were then killed and their penises were processed for histomorphometric analyses. The mean of each parameter was statistically compared. RESULTS: A corpus cavernosum reduction of 12.5% and 10.9% was observed in the T105 and T65 groups, respectively, when compared with their respective control groups. The cavernosum smooth muscle surface density diminished by 5.6% and 12.9% in the T65 and T105 groups, respectively, when compared with their controls. In contrast, the sinusoidal space increased by 17% in the T105 group and decreased by 9.6% in the T65 group. CONCLUSION: The use of supra-physiological doses of AAS promotes structural changes in the rat penis, by altering the proportions of corpus cavernosum tissues, in both pubertal and adult treated animals. .

Effects of anabolic steroid treatment associated with physical training in adipose tissue of male Wistar rats / Efeito do tratamento com anabolizante associado com atividade física no tecido adiposo de ratos machos Wistar

Anabolic androgenic-steroids (AAS) include a broad class of synthetic derivatives of testosterone, being nandrolone decanoate the most widely used in sports environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic effects of nandrolone decanoate in sedentary and trained adult male rats. We established four experimental groups: sedentary control, sedentary treated, trained control and trained treated. The training had consisted of running on a treadmill for nine weeks. Treated animals received intramuscular injections of nandrolone decanoate (0.5 mg kg-1) during the last four weeks of physical training. The training time as the drug used were not sufficient to significantly reduce body weight gain, but caused a significative decrease on diameter of adipocytes and in the amount of adipose tissue stored, as well as decreased the plasma levels of glucose and total cholesterol.

Os esteróides anabólicos androgênios incluem uma ampla classe de derivados sintéticos da testosterona, sendo o decanoato de nandrolona um dos mais utilizados no meio esportivo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos metabólicos desse anabolizante esteróide em ratos machos adultos sedentários e treinados. Foram estabelecidos quatro grupos experimentais: sedentário controle, sedentário tratado, treinado controle e treinado tratado. O treinamento consistiu de corrida em esteira ergométrica durante nove semanas. Os animais tratados receberam injeção intramuscular de decanoato de nandrolona (0.5 mg kg-1) durante as quatro últimas semanas de treinamento físico. Tanto o tempo de treinamento, quanto a dose de anabolizante utilizado não foi eficiente para reduzir significativamente o ganho de peso corporal, mas causou reduções significativas no diâmetro dos adipócitos e na quantidade de tecido adiposo armazenado, assim como diminuiu os valores plasmáticos de glicose e de colesterol total.

Suplementos: existem feitos positivos? E os riscos cardiovasculares? / Supplements: are posivite effects? And cardiovascular risk?

Existe um crescente consumo de suplementos, fármacos lícitos e ilícitos por praticantes de esportes e atletas. O planejamento dietético em atletas competitivos é fundamental para o desempenho esportivo, mas, em geral, uma dieta balanceada atende às recomendações para manutenção do desempenho esportivo e saúde. As necessidades nutricionais devem contemplar o nível, tipo e duração de exercício realizado, sempre individualizando as necessidades calóricas, de carboidratos e de proteínas. Muitos suplementos existentes no mercado não têm respaldo científico algum e podem conter substâncias não referidas em seus rótulos. São inúmeros estudos comprovando o aumento do risco cardiovascular e de morte súbita durante a prática esportiva em usuários de estimulantes e de hormônios esteroides anabolizantes. Um novo padrão atual de estética tem levado inúmeros jovens e adultos a colocar em risco suas vidas na busca a qualquer custo desse suposto corpo ideal.

There is an increasing consumption of licit and illicit drugs as well as supplements by sports practitioners and athletes. Dietary planning for elite athletes is crucial for sports performance, but in general a well-balanced diet meets the recommendations for maintaining sports performance and health. The nutritional needs should contemplate the level, type and duration of exerci se performed, always individualizing caloric needs of protein and carbohydrates. Many supplements on the market have no scientific basis and may contain substances not listed on their labels. There are countless studies showing the increased cardiovascular risk and sudden death during sports practice among users of stimulants and anabolic steroid hormones. A new current pattern of aesthetics has led countless young people and adults to put their lives at risk in the pursuit of this alleged ideal body.

The prostate after administration of anabolic androgenic steroids: a morphometrical study in rats

Purpose Many adverse effects have been associated with abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), including disorders of the urogenital tract. The objective of this study is to analyze the morphological modifications in the prostate ventral lobe of pubertal and adult rats chronically treated with AAS, using morphometric methods. Materials and Methods: We studied 39 male Wistar rats weighing between 400 g and 550 g. The rats were divided into four groups: (a) control rats, with 105 days of age (C105) (n = 7); (b) control rats with 65 days of age (C65) (n = 9), injected only with the vehicle (peanut oil); (c) treated rats, with 105 days of age (T105) (n = 10) and (d) treated rats with 65 days of age (T65) (n = 13). The treated rats were injected with nandrolone decanoate at a dose of 10 mg.Kg-1 body weight. The steroid hormone and the vehicle were administered by intramuscular injection once a week for eight weeks. The rats were killed at 161 days of age (C105 and T105) and 121 days of age (C65 and T65) and the ventral prostate lobe was dissected and processed for histology. The height of the acinar epithelium, the surface densities of the lumen, epithelium and stroma were observed with X400 magnification using an Olympus light microscope coupled to a Sony CCD video camera, and the images transferred to a Sony monitor KX14-CP1. The selected histological areas were then quantified using the M42 test-grid system on the digitized fields. The data were analyzed with the Graphpad software. To compare the quantitative data in both groups (controls and treated) and the outcomes, Student's t-test was used (p < 0.05 was considered significant). Results: The weight (p < 0.001) and volume (p = 0.004) of the prostate ventral lobe showed differences between C65 and T65 groups and between C105 and T105 groups. The epithelium height showed no difference between groups C65 and T65 (p = 0.8509), but the T105 group showed an increase of 32% compared ...

Esteroides androgénicos anabolizantes: consecuencias en el hombre / Anabolic androgenic steroids: consequences in the man

El abuso de Esteroides Androgénicos Anabolizantes (EAA) se ha convertido en una práctica frecuente en hombres. Deportistas de alto rendimiento y fisicoculturistas eran los usuarios más frecuentes de este tipo de fármacos, sin embargo, en los últimos 10 años se ha observado una preocupante prevalencia de abuso en hombres jóvenes y usuarios de gimnasios con el fin simplemente de mejorar su aspecto físico. Muchas veces este tipo de fármacos son adquiridos al margen de la legalidad, promocionados en internet, sin la supervisión médica, necesaria al sostener una terapia hormonal. La autoadministración de EAA en altas dosis guarda implicancias negativas poco conocidas o inadvertidas por lo usuarios. Dentro de estas destacan las consecuencias andrológicas propias del abuso de estas sustancias como son la disfunción sexual, alteraciones reproductivas, metabólicas y psicógenas. El objetivo de esta revisión es acercar el conocimiento actual sobre los riesgos e implicancias en el hombre del abuso de los EAA.

Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (EAA) Abuse has turned into a common practice upon men. High performance sportsmen and body builders were the most common users of these drugs, but in the last 10 years there has been a worrying prevalence of abuse in young men and fitness studio users with the aim of obtaining better physical aspect. Many times these drugs are bought at the margins of legality, promoted in Internet, without the medical supervision needed for hormonal therapy. Self-administration of EAA in high doses has negative effects that may be not known or unnoticed by users. Some of them are Sexual Dysfunction, reproductive, metabolic or psychological alterations. The purpose of this revision is to come closer to today’s knowledge of the risks of abuse of EAA in men.

A associação de esteroide anabolizante ao treinamento físico aeróbio leva a alterações morfológicas cardíacas e perda de função ventricular em ratos / Association between anabolic steroids and aerobic physical training leads to cardiac morphological alterations and loss of ventricular function in rats

INTRODUÇÃO: O esteroide anabolizante (EA) associado ao treinamento físico induz mudança da hipertrofia cardíaca (HC) fisiológica para patológica. Entretanto, esses trabalhos foram realizados com atletas de força, sendo os efeitos do EA associados ao treinamento aeróbio poucos conhecidos. Com isso, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do treinamento aeróbio e dos EA sobre a estrutura e função cardíaca. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 28 ratos Wistar divididos em quatro grupos: sedentários controle (SC), sedentários anabolizante (SA), treinados controle (TC) e treinado anabolizante (TA). O EA foi administrado duas vezes por semana (10mg/kg/ semana). O treinamento físico de natação foi realizado durante 10 semanas, cinco sessões semanais. Foram avaliadas a pressão arterial e frequência cardíaca por pletismografia de cauda, função ventricular por ecocardiografia, diâmetro dos cardiomiócitos e fração volume de colágeno por métodos histológicos. RESULTADOS: Não foram observadas diferenças na PA. O grupo TC apresentou redução da frequência cardíaca de repouso após o período experimental, o que não ocorreu no grupo TA. Foram observadas HC de 38 por cento no grupo SA, 52 por cento no grupo TC e de 64 por cento no grupo TA em relação ao grupo SC. O grupo TA apresentou diminuição da função diastólica em relação aos outros grupos. Os grupos treinados apresentaram aumentos significantes no diâmetro dos cardiomiócitos. Os grupos SA e TA apresentaram aumento na fração volume de colágeno em relação aos grupos SC e TC. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados apresentados mostram que o treinamento físico de natação induz a HC, principalmente pelo aumento do colágeno intersticial, o que pode levar a prejuízos da função diastólica.

INTRODUCTION: Anabolic-androgen steroids (AAS) associated with physical training induce changes from physiological cardiac hypertrophy (CH) to pathological hypertrophy. However, these studies were performed with strength athletes, and the AAS effects associated with aerobic training are still poorly understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic training and AAS on the cardiac structure and function. METHODS: 28 Wistars rats divided in 4 groups were used: sedentary control (SC), sedentary anabolic (SA), trained control (TC) and trained anabolic (TA). The AAS was administered twice a week (10mg/Kg/week). The swimming training was conducted 5 sessions per week during 10 weeks. We evaluated blood pressure and heart rate by tail plethysmography, ventricular function by echocardiography, cardiomyocyte diameter and collagen volumetric fraction by histological methods. RESULTS: There were no differences in BP. TC group showed reduction in rest heart rate after the experimental period, which did not occur in TA group. CH of 38 percent in SA group; 52 percent in TC group and 64 percent in TA group compared to SC group was observed. TA group presented decrease in diastolic function in relation to other groups. The trained groups showed significant increases in cardiomyocytes diameter. SA and TA groups showed increase in collagen volumetric fraction in relation to SC and TC groups. CONCLUSION: The results show that AAS treatment associated to swimming training induces CH, mainly by the increase in interstitial collagen, which can lead to loss of diastolic function.

Effect of anabolic-androgenic steroids on semen parameters and serum hormonal levels in Iraqi male bodybuilders

This research aims at studying the influence of administration of anabolic androgenic steroids on the male reproductive health. Twenty four male bodybuilders were included in the study. The history of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids administration [AAS group] was recorded for 16 subjects [age =211.6 +/- years], while 8 subjects exercised only without AAS use [age =21.20.8 +/- years] and served as control group. All subjects of AAS group were asked to cease using AAS before being enrolled in the study. A sheet containing a detailed questionnaire was completed for each subject. Subjects of both groups were asked to visit the clinic [subsequent visits] for clinical evaluation of their health together with semen analysis. Blood was collected to determine serum hormonal changes. Semen analysis results indicated that, the use of AAS resulted in the impairment of spermatogenesis. Thus, sperm concentration and total sperm count increased significantly [P <0.05] within both AAS and control groups during the period of cessation, however, these parameters remained significantly low [P<0.05] in AAS group in comparison with the control group. Sperm agglutination increased significantly within AAS group [P<0.05]. Both sperm agglutination and round cells increased significantly [P<0.05] in AAS group as compared with the control group. Likewise gonadotropins: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone [FSH] and Luteinizing Hormone [LH] increased significantly [P<0.05] in AAS group, 12 weeks after the cessation of AAS as compared to baseline. Although prolactin level was within the normal range in AAS group, it was significantly low [P<0.05] in AAS group as compared to the control. These findings collectively indicated that, the use of AAS drugs have an ill effect on the general health of the users in addition to a profound effect on the reproductive functions. This study has also opened the road for further studies in Iraq concerned with the abuse of anabolic steroids which may constitute on the long run a major source of health and social problems