[The frequency of formation of a motivated refusal to take androgenic anabolic steroids by men with recreational activity].

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of AAS for non-medical purposes is more than often becoming the cause of secondary hypogonadism. The study of the formation of the negative attitude towards the use of AAS among the gym visitors is quite relevant. AIMS: To identify the frequency of the formation of a motivated refusal to continue taking androgenic anabolic steroids among men who voluntarily declared their use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 44 men, all users of AAS. There has been estimated the effectiveness of the clinical examination: how ready they were to disclose information about the use of AAS (drugs, doses, regimens, duration) or how much they were aware of the mechanisms of action of AAS and their effects on the body. The participants were also asked to evaluate their psychological and emotional state (on the scale Index of life satisfaction, Hamiltons depression, aggressiveness). The experience of our informational lectures on the topic Risks of using AAS prior to the selection of volunteers for research, anonymous surveys and interviews with potential participants in the clinical trial, the clinical work itself with the selected volunteers, the characteristic features of a medical history and tests that we identified were compared with clinical recommendations for hypogonadism diagnostic (domestic and foreign). RESULTS: More than 105 gym visitors responded positively to a motivated offer (free medical consultation and laboratory tests) to participate in a clinical study. Based on the results of the individual interview, 54 men (51.4%) who indicated the use of AAS signed an informed consent. 44 volunteers (41.9%) completed all stages of the study. Among them, 32 participants (72.7%) were aware of the mechanisms of action and side effects of AAS. 21 volunteers (47.7%) filled in the scales. The index of life satisfaction was determined as high, equal to 34 [29; 38] points; the index of aggressiveness was higher than the generally accepted standard and composed 27 [25; 29] points, the level of depression corresponded to a mild depressive disorder, equal to 9 [3; 12] points. Over the use of AAS 22.7% (n = 10) of the examined noted an increase in aggressiveness, which they themselves associated with the use of steroids. The clinical symptoms of hypogonadism (decreased libido, erectile dysfunction) after the cancellation of AAS were indicated by 25% (n = 11) of the volunteers and that was one of the reasons they continued to use anabolics. 31.8% (n = 14) of the participants were ready to completely stop using the steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Individual informational interviews aimed at providing knowledge about the negative effects of steroids on the body motivated the desire to stop using them amongst 31.8% of AAS users. The obtained data points out to a developed AAS addiction which requires the involvement of psychiatrists to get rid of it.

Toward optimal set of single nucleotide polymorphism investigation before IVF.

BACKGROUND: At present, the patient preparation for IVF needs to undergo a series of planned tests, including the genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alleles of some genes. In former USSR countries, such investigation was not included in overwhelming majority of health insurance programs and paid by patient. In common, there are prerequisites to the study of more than 50 polymorphisms. An important faced task is to determine the optimal panel for SNP genotyping in terms of price/number of SNP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 2009-2015 in the University Hospital of St. Petersburg State University, blood samples were analyzed from 550 women with different reproductive system disorders preparing for IVF and 46 healthy women in control group. In total, 28 SNP were analyzed in the genes of thrombophilia factors, folic acid cycle, detoxification system, and the renin-angiotensin system. The method used was real-time PCR. RESULTS: A significant increase in the frequency of pathological alleles of some polymorphisms in patients with habitual failure of IVF was shown, compared with the control group. As a result, two options defined panels for optimal typing SNP before IVF were composed. Standard panel includes 8 SNP, 5 in thromborhilic factors, and 3 in folic acid cycle genes. They are 20210 G > A of FII gene, R506Q G > A of FV gene (mutation Leiden), -675 5G > 4G of PAI-I gene, L33P T > C of ITGB3 gene, -455 G > A of FGB gene, 667 C > T of MTHFR gene, 2756 A > G of MTR gene, and 66 A > G of MTRR gene. Extended panel of 15 SNP also includes 807 C > T of ITGA2 gene, T154M C > T of GP1BA gene, second polymorphism 1298 A > C in MTHFR gene, polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin gene AGT M235T T > C and -1166 A > C of AGTR1 gene, polymorphisms I105V A > G and A114V C > T of detoxification system gene GSTP. CONCLUSION: The results of SNP genotyping can be adjusted for treatment tactics and IVF, and also medical support getting pregnant. The success rate of IVF is increased as the result, especially in the group with the usual failure of IVF.