Effect of chronic administration of anabolic androgenic steroids and taurine on platelet aggregation in rats

Abstract

Background. The pro-thrombotic potential of the anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), worldwide misused substances, has increasingly become a subject of current interest. Conversely, taurine, a sulfur-amino acid ubiquitous in human body, in addition to other beneficial effects, is thought to have an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation.Purpose. To assess platelet aggregation both taurine and high doses of AAS were simultaneously chronically administered in rats.Methods. The experiment was conducted on 40 male Wistar rats, divided into 4 equal groups: control (C) -no treatment; AAS (A) -treated with 10 mg/ kg/week of nandrolone decanoate (DECA); taurine (T) -daily treated with oral supplementation of 2% taurine in drinking water; androgen and taurine group (AT) -concomitant administration of DECA and taurine. After 12 weeks of treatment, blood samples were collected and platelet aggregation induced by ADP was performed using the turbidimetric method.Results. The platelet aggregation magnitude was significantly higher (p<0.001) in group A (62.1±6.10%) than in group C (47.8±5.39%), while in group T (40.3±6.49%) it was significantly lower (p=0.04). Moreover, the platelet aggregation response was significantly lower in group AT (54.5±6.38%) than in group A (p=0.04), without a significant difference between group AT and group C (p=0.08). Conclusion.Our findings provide additional evidence regarding harmful potential of high doses of DECA, chronically administered. The increased platelet aggregation induced by AAS may be decreased by diet supplementation with taurine.

Histopathology of Post Immunization and Chemotherapeutic Trials in Experimental Cystic Echinococcosis

“…The current study found an increase (P ≤ 0.05) in platelet number, indicating that increasing platelet number with anabolic steroids increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (Achar, 2010), and that reducing and sealing vascular slits with sulphur amino acid alturin (Taurine) with activated platelets can reduce and seal those risks (Rosca et al, 2013), which were likely associated with proper elevation number of hemoglobin. The findings of the study corroborate those of McCrohon et al,(2000), who found an increase in the average number of platelets as a result of athletes' usage of steroids…”

Taurine and Its Derivatives: Analysis of the Inhibitory Effect on Platelet Function and Their Antithrombotic Potential

“…Using Born aggregometric method, we demonstrated that taurine (2% supplemented in drinking water) can decrease platelet aggregation in either normal rats, or in those concomitantly receiving a supraphysiological AAS (anabolic androgenic steroids) dose (10 mg/kg, weekly intragluteal injection, for 3 months) [133]. In a following thromboelastographic (TEG) experiment assessing shear elasticity of the clotting blood, we detected a slight tendency (without reaching statistical significance) of taurine to decrease maximal clot strength and stability in either normal or mixed treated group of rats [134].…”

Effects of Exogenous Androgens on Platelet Activity and Their Thrombogenic Potential in Supraphysiological Administration: A Literature Review

“…This is consistent with other findings we have reported. Using the thromboelastographic method to analyze changes in the shear elasticity of clotting blood, supraphysiological DECA administration in rats showed an increase in maximal clot strength and stability (MA), which largely depends on platelet function (platelet bonding via GP IIb/IIIa) [ 153 ].…”