Hepatotoxicity of anabolic androgenic steroids in sport

Abstract

Introduction and purpose: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse is a common practice among professional as well as recreational athletes. The prevalence of this phenomenon seems to be continuously escalating, too. Even though AAS abuse may provide a desirable haematopoietic and musculotrophic effect, it causes a wide variety of local and systemic side effects. This review aims to demonstrate the AAS induced hepatotoxicity, it is based on the medical literature from the last 10 years. Brief description of the state of knowledge: Orally administered 17-α-alkylated steroids are considered to be the most hepatotoxic. They increase the number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which directly injure the liver tissue. It may be manifested as an elevation of liver enzymes, peliosis hepatis or distinctive acute cholestasis. Furthermore, ASS abuse for a prolonged period of time may induce the growth of hepatocellular adenoma and hepatocellular cancer. Moreover, AAS intake can lead to liver enlargement, development of toxicant-associated fatty liver disease (TAFLD) and increase the risk of HCV and HBV infection. Conclusions: The collaboration of scientists, doctors, sports associations and governments is substantial. Introduction of innovative AAS detection methods and enforcement of stricter anti-doping law may contribute to prevention of health consequences resulting from AAS abuse among athletes.

Will the use of anabolic androgenic steroids become a significant cardiovascular risk factor in the future?

“…Stosowanie SAA może wiązać się z wieloma działaniami niepożądanymi, a należą do nich zaburzenia układu krwionośnego, płciowego, mięśniowo-szkieletowego, hormonalnego, moczowego, immunologicznego, pokarmowego oraz nerwowego [10,11,12,13]. Jednym z powikłań w układzie krwionośnym jest uszkodzenie serca, które może przebiegać w postaci włóknienia, hipertrofii mięśnia oraz kardiomiopatii rozstrzeniowej, ale także zawału mięśnia sercowego [14], groźnych arytmii oraz nagłej śmierci sercowej [15,16].…”

Androgenic-anabolic steroids use among bodybuilders in western Iran: application of ridge logistic regression model

“…AAS Abuse has become an important public health concern worldwide due to its serious and dangerous side effects. The evidence indicates that infertility, hair loss, pimples, acne, thickening of the voice, heart disease, cancer, and testicular atrophy are reported as the side effects of AAS abuse [5][6][7][8]. The AAS abuse has also led to psychological problems like depression, aggression, anxiety, and sleep disorders [7,[9][10][11].…”