Alteration of Cholesterol Metabolism Induced by Anabolic Steroid, Oxandrolone, Administration to Rats

Abstract

SynopsisRemarkable lowering of plasma cholesterol by oxandrolone administration was observed in the hypercholesteremic rats fed the high cholesterol diet but not in the rats fed the low cholesterol diet during the short experimental period. Tween 80 induced hypercholesteremia or diabetic hypercholesteremia was not prevented by oxandrolone.Although the bile amount of the rats with bile fistulae was not influenced by the hormone administration, the biliary excretion of cholic acid and cholesterol was increased in the hormone treated group. Excretion of the radioactivity into the bile after labeled cholesterol injection was accelerated by oxandrolone. When 26-14C cholestereol was injected into the animals, more radioactivity was found in expiratory CO2 of the oxandrolone treated rats than that of the controls. Influx of administered cholesterol from plasma to the liver was accelerated in the oxandrolone fed rats with bile duct obstruction, and outflux of endogenous cholesterol from the liver to plasma was also increased.Cholesterol was accumulated in the liver by oxandrolone treatment when cholesterol was given simultaneously with the hormone, but the decrease of the hepatic cholesterol contents after the interruption of cholesterol feeding was promoted by the hormone administration.Therefore, the main mechanism of the hypocholesteremic effect of anabolic steroids is assumed to be both the acceleration of the shift of cholesterol from plasma to liver and secondary stimulation of cholesterol catabolism to bile acid.

Serum androgens and sex hormone binding globulin in obese Pima Indian females

“…T administration also increases the proportion of upper body fat in eunuchoid men (Vague et al, 1979). Treatment of female rats with T results in glucose intolerance (Bailey and Matty, 19711, and androgen therapy can cause hypertrophy and hyperplasia of pancreatic islets (Novak et al, 1979) as well as enhanced biliary secretion ofbile salts and cholesterol, predisposing factors for gallstones (Takeuchi et al, 1970). Szpunar et al (1977) found significantly increased A and DHEA in a group of female diabetics aged >38 compared to nondiabetics of similar age, and Burghen et al (1980) report a significant correlation between hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinism in obese females with polycystic ovarian disease but not in obese controls.…”

Reduction of Plasma Cholesterol Levels in Male Retired Breeder Rats by an Anabolic Steroid, Oxandrolone

“…The lowering is statistically significant and, to our knowledge, represents an unprecedented reduction of plasma cholsterol levels by oxandrolone in man or experimental animals in the absence of dietary manipulation or overt disease. Others have reported that oxandrolone lowers the plasma cholesterol levels of young (170-180 g) female rats fed high cholesterol diets, but does not lower blood cholesterol in rats of the same age-weight group when they are fed low cholesterol diets or are rendered hypercholesterolemic via Tween 80 or alloxan diabetes (12).…”