The actions and side effects of Anabolic Steroids in sport and social abuse

Abstract

Anabolic steroids (AS) derived from testosterone have both anabolic (muscle and strength enhancing) and a n d r o g e n i c (primary and s e c o n d a r y sexual) effects. Efforts to limit the androgenic while enhancing the anabolic effects have not been successful. Alterations to the structure of testosterone, so as to improve the pharmacokinetics of AS, have resulted in drugs, which are orally active, have a longer plasma half life and may be administered as depot injections. Therapeutic doses of AS produce statistically significant effects on strength and athletic performance in well-controlled scientific and clinical trials. At low, therapeutic doses, diet and an intensive training regime are equally important in producing a statistically significant increase in strength. Higher doses 6-7000mg per week are regularly administered in sport and produce the greatest increases in muscle strength erythropoiesis and lean body mass. Patterns of steroid abuse can be complex, reflecting a desire to minimise side effects, and avoid detection. AS side effects are of many types. AS increase salt and water retention leading to an expansion of the blood volume, but effects of steroids on blood pressure are equivocal and most cardiovascular side effects appear to be reversible.Abuse of AS causes an increase in blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels and this is associated with a decline in High Density Lipoproteins (HDLs) and an increase in the Low Density (LDL) type. Though these effects are reversible they are associated with an increased risk of both acute and c h r o n i c c a r d i o v a s c u l a r p a t h o l o g y . The m o s t serious irreversible anabolic steroid side effects are associated with carcinomas -mainly of the liver, prostate and kidney. Hepatic carcinomas are strongly associated with abuse of the orally active 17alpha methyl substituted steroids, which also produce a reversible jaundice. In males, anabolic steroid abuse causes suppression of LH and FSH release leading to inhibition of testosterone production often accompanied by testicular atrophy, and azoospermia. High, chronic doses of the drugs may also cause moderate to severe feminising effects in the form of gynaecomastia. Male secondary sexual characteristics are a side effect of AS abuse in women. Increased insulin resistance and elevated fasting blood glucose levels are the commonest non-gonadal endocrine side effects of AS.AS abuse leads to contradictory, complex, behavioural, and psychiatric changes. Increased frequency of mental illness, in anabolic steroid abusers including paranoid schizophrenia, mania and d e p r e s s i o n has been r e p o r t e d . P h y s i c a l and psychological dependency occur amongst some anabolic steroid abusers and severe psychiatric disorders can appear upon withdrawal, leading in a few cases to criminality and even suicide. We need more studies on the long-term effects of AS. The implications of the past 50 years of AS abuse will be discussed in the review.

A Review on the Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products in Preventing Bone Diseases

“…While some side effects are mild, such as stomach upset and heartburn associated with bisphosphonate pills, some are more concerning, such as blood clots, stroke, and certain types of cancers associated with the SERMs [ 10 ]. In addition, anabolic steroids that are used in treating BDs are also linked to adverse effects which, in addition to those already mentioned for other drugs, include toxicity to vital organs such as the brain, liver, kidney, and reproductive organs, and impairment of cognitive and cardiovascular functions and several other systemic alterations [ 13 , 14 ]. Thus, the need arises for alternative treatments with little or no health concerns.…”

Micronucleus as biomarkers of cancer risk in anabolic androgenic steroids users

“…1 The anabolic activity of testosterone and its synthetic derivatives results in significant muscle mass and strength gains, 2 due to increased nitrogen retention and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells and diminished catabolism. [3][4][5] AAS were initially developed for therapeutic purposes, but today, the greatest prevalence of AAS use is among athletes who seek improvements in their performance in sports practice and among individuals doing recreational muscle building, who are motivated by constructing a body image that satisfies them. 6,7,8 Epidemiological evidence has indicated that there is high prevalence of illicit use of these drugs in the United States, 9 Australia, 10 United Kingdom, Greece, Bulgaria and Croatia.…”

“…1 The anabolic activity of testosterone and its synthetic derivatives results in significant muscle mass and strength gains, 2 due to increased nitrogen retention and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells and diminished catabolism. 3 –5…”