Prospective study on blood pressure, lipid metabolism and erythrocytosis during and after androgen abuse

Abstract

The abuse of androgens, or anabolic androgenic steroids, is not uncommon among amateur strength athletes. Androgens entail testosterone, synthetic derivatives such as nandrolone and trenbolone, and the nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). The term anabolic androgenic steroids is oxymoronic as there is no genuine distinction between anabolic and androgenic effects. Androgen abuse is defined as the use of androgens without a prescription, usually for the enhancement of muscle mass. The prevalence for men visiting fitness centres to use androgens is estimated at 4%-6% (Sagoe et al., 2014;Tanner et al., 1995). Production and trading of androgens without a license is prohibited in most countries. Nevertheless, androgens can be easily acquired illegally through local dealers or the internet. The quality of androgens on the black market is remarkably poor and only about 50% of products contain the androgens declared on the label and many contain undeclared ingredients (Smit et al., 2019;Weber et al., 2017).The use of androgens is harmful, but exact data about negative health effects is lacking. There is evidence showing androgen abuse is associated with premature coronary atherosclerosis (Baggish et al., 2017;Thiblin et al., 2015). The mechanisms through which androgen abuse may lead to cardiovascular morbidity comprise high blood pressure (Giorgi et al., 1999;Kuipers et al., 1991) and unfavourable

Premature Death in Bodybuilders: What Do We Know?

“…The recent Health risks of Anabolic Androgenic steRoid use by maLE aMateur athletes (HAARLEM) study examined male AAS users in a gym and reported that one cycle of AAS is associated with unfavorable cardiac function, blood lipid profile, and various other risk factors [ 20 , 21 ]. Though insightful, these studies lack a control group of non-AAS users [ 22 ].…”

Health effects of androgen abuse: a review of the HAARLEM study

“…Measurements took place before, during and twice after the cycle. Health effects were divided into several categories: positive and negative adverse effects reported by the subjects, the results of kidney and liver biochemistry in blood, and the outcome of psychological questionnaires [4 ▪ ]; the disruption and recovery of endogenous testosterone production and spermatogenesis [5 ▪ ]; the change of cardiovascular parameters during androgen abuse, such as blood pressure, lipid metabolism and erythrocytosis [6 ▪ ]; and change of cardiac structure and function as evaluated with 3D echocardiography [7].…”

“…In the last 2−3 years several publications reported data from the HAARLEM study [3,4 ▪ –6 ▪ ,7], which is an acronym for health risks of anabolic androgenic steroid use by male amateur athletes. This cohort study takes precedence over much of the existing literature in this field due to its prospective design and relatively large size.…”

Annual banned‐substance review—Analytical approaches in human sports drug testing 2021/2022–

“…Comprehensive and extended analytical retrospectivity for AASs have been subject of continued research, but also advanced means facilitating the differentiation of natural and endogenously produced steroids from synthetic substances as well as enhancing the understanding of metabolic pathways depending on drug amounts or application routes. 102 In the light of the considerable health risks associated with AASs, both physically [38][39][40][41][42][43] and psychologically, [44][45][46] detection and containment in recreational as well as elite sport remains critical. 103 Here, the utility of luteinizing hormone (LH) was revisited and reported to represent a sensitive marker for current androgen abuse, 47 which, in concert with established targeted testing approaches, can contribute further insights into the prevalence and misuse of steroidal substances.…”