Lipid profile of body builders with and without self-administration of anabolic steroids

Twenty-four top-level body builders [13 anabolic steroid users (A); 11 non-users (N)] and 11 performance-matched controls (C) were examined to determine the effect on lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins of many years of body building with and without simultaneous intake of anabolic steroids and testosterone. After an overnight fast, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TOTC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), the HDLC subfractions HDL2C and HDL3C, as well as apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I), apolipoprotein A-II (Apo A-II) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) were determined. Both A and N, compared to C, showed significantly lower HDLC and higher LDLC concentrations, with the differences between A and C clearly pronounced. In a subgroup of 6 body builders taking anabolic steroids at the time of the study, HDLC, HDL2C, HDL3C, Apo A-I and Apo A-II were all significantly lower and LDLC was significantly higher than in a second subgroup of 7 body builders who had discontinued their intake of anabolic steroids at least 4 weeks prior to the study. In some single cases HDLC was barely detectable (2-7 mg.dl-1). The TG and TOTC remained unchanged. The present findings suggest that many years of body building among top-level athletes have no beneficial effect on lipoproteins and apolipoproteins. Simultaneous use of anabolic steroids results in part in extreme alterations in lipoproteins and apolipoproteins, representing an atherogenic profile. After discontinuing the use of anabolic steroids, the changes in lipid metabolism appear to be reversible.     

Effect of anabolic steroids on rat heart muscle cells

Summary Long-term treatment of female rats with the anabolic steroid hormone Methandrostenolone results in a conspicuous increase of intermediate sized, nonmyofibrillar filaments in muscle cells of the left cardiac ventricle, as revealed by electron microscopy. These filaments, measuring 70–110 Å in diameter, form a characteristic network at the Z-level of the sarcomere, either encircling or penetrating the Z-bands, and appear to insert into the nuclear membrane. The T-system is accompanied by the filaments adjacent to the site of the couplings. Here they are attached to subsarcolemmal electron-dense patches, which may be Z-line precursor material. The filaments may function as a cytoskeleton, to provide passive support in the mechanism of contraction and to mediate nucleo-sarcolemmal and nucleomyofibrillar exchange.The author wishes to thank Prof. Dr. C. Stang-Voss for advice and discussion     

Skeletal muscle and bone: effect of sex steroids and aging

Both estrogen and testosterone are present in males and females. Both hormones contribute to the well being of skeletal muscle and bone in men and women, and there is evidence that the loss of sex hormones is associated with the age-related decline in bone and skeletal muscle mass. Hormonal supplementation of older adults to restore estrogen and testosterone levels to those of young men and women is not without penalty.     

Skeletal muscle protein anabolic response to resistance exercise and essential amino acids is delayed with aging.

Skeletal muscle loss during aging leads to an increased risk of falls, fractures, and eventually loss of independence. Resistance exercise is a useful intervention to prevent sarcopenia; however, the muscle protein synthesis (MPS) response to resistance exercise is less in elderly compared with young subjects. On the other hand, essential amino acids (EAA) increase MPS equally in both young and old subjects when sufficient EAA is ingested. We hypothesized that EAA ingestion following a bout of resistance exercise would stimulate anabolic signaling and MPS similarly between young and old men. Each subject ingested 20 g of EAA 1 h following leg resistance exercise. Muscle biopsies were obtained before and 1, 3, and 6 h after exercise to measure the rate of MPS and signaling pathways that regulate translation initiation. MPS increased early in young (1-3 h postexercise) and later in old (3-6 h postexercise). At 1 h postexercise, ERK1/2 MNK1 phosphorylation increased and eIF2alpha phosphorylation decreased only in the young. mTOR signaling (mTOR, S6K1, 4E-BP1, eEF2) was similar between groups at all time points, but MNK1 phosphorylation was lower at 3 h and AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKalpha) phosphorylation was higher in old 1-3 h postexercise. We conclude that the acute MPS response after resistance exercise and EAA ingestion is similar between young and old men; however, the response is delayed with aging. Unresponsive ERK1/2 signaling and AMPK activation in old muscle may be playing a role in the delayed activation of MPS. Notwithstanding, the combination of resistance exercise and EAA ingestion should be a useful strategy to combat sarcopenia.     

Higher muscle mass but lower gynoid fat mass in athletes using anabolic androgenic steroids

This study evaluated the relationship between anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use and body constitution. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD, g·cm(-2)) of the total body, arms, and legs. Total gynoid and android fat mass (grams) and total lean mass (grams) were measured in 10 strength trained athletes (41.4 ± 7.9 years) who had used AASs for 5-15 years (Doped) and 7 strength trained athletes (29.4 ± 6.2 years) who had never used AASs (Clean). Seventeen sedentary men (30.3 ± 2.1 years) served as Controls. Doped athletes had significantly more lean body mass (85.5 ± 3.8 vs. 75.3 ± 2.5 vs. 60.7 ± 1.9, p < 0.001) and a greater index of fat-free/fat mass (5.8 vs. 2.6 vs. 2.5, p < 0.001) compared with Clean athletes and Controls. Doped athletes also had significantly less gynoid fat mass compared with that of Clean athletes (2.8 ± 0.4 vs. 4.8 ± 0.2 kg, p = 0.02). There were no differences in BMD between the athletes (p = 0.39-0.98), but both groups had significantly higher BMDs at all sites compared with that of Controls (p = 0.01 to <0.001). Thus, long-term AAS use seems to alter body constitution, favoring higher muscle mass and reduced gynoid fat mass without affecting BMD.     

Metabolism and excretion of anabolic steroids in doping control--new steroids and new insights

The use of anabolic steroids in sports is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Until the 1990s, anabolic steroids were solely manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, albeit sometimes on demand from national sports agencies as part of their doping program. Recently the list of prohibited anabolic steroids in sports has grown due to the addition of numerous steroids that have been introduced on the market by non-pharmaceutical companies. Moreover, several designer steroids, specifically developed to circumvent doping control, have also been detected. Because anabolic steroids are most often intensively subjected to phase I metabolism and seldom excreted unchanged, excretion studies need to be performed in order to detect their misuse.

This review attempts to summarise the results of excretion studies of recent additions to the list of prohibited steroids in sports. Additionally an update and insight on new aspects for “older” steroids with respect to doping control is given.     

One- and two-dimensional echocardiography in bodybuilders using anabolic steroids

The object of this study was to investigate the possible concentric increase in the left ventricular (LV) wall thickness by intensive strength training and to differentiate between the specific effect of the strength training itself and the influence of anabolic drugs. In this study 21 top-level bodybuilders [users of anabolic steroids (A): n = 14; non-users (N): n = 7] underwent one-dimensional and two-dimensional echocardiography as well as a cycle ergometer test. In both groups blood pressure at rest and during ergometric exercise was within the normal range. In spite of the same amount of time being spent on training, A showed significantly better power results than N. Total heart volume (A = 11.3 +/- 0.9 ml.kg-1; N = 11.9 +/- 0.9 ml.kg-1) and LV muscle mass were almost identical in A and N and correlated significantly with body weight and lean body mass respectively. The body dimension-related diastolic LV diameter was significantly lower in A (0.567 +/- 0.062 mm.kg-1) than in N (0.639 +/- 0.040 mm.kg-1). An increase in the LV posterior wall (p less than 0.01) and septum thickness (ns) resulted in increased LV wall thickness:diameter (p less than 0.01) and LV muscle mass:volume (p less than 0.05) ratios in A (0.458 +/- 0.590; 1.38 +/- 0.25 g.ml-1) in comparison to N (0.356 +/- 0.077; 1.16 +/- 0.17 g.ml-1). The septal:posterior wall thickness ratio was similar for both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies on anabolic steroids. 9. Tertiary sulfates of anabolic 17 alpha-methyl steroids: synthesis and rearrangement.

A simple and convenient method has been developed to prepare sulfates of anabolic 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl steroids. The sulfates of methandienone, 17 alpha-methyltestosterone, mestanolone, oxandrolone, and stanozolol were prepared. Different A-ring functions were not affected under the sulfation condition. The buffered hydrolyses of these sulfates provided the 17-epimers of the original steroids and 17,17-dimethyl-18-nor-13(14)-ene steroids, presumably via the 17-carbocations.     

Physical training in man. Skeletal muscle metabolism in relation to muscle morphology and running ability.

The metabolic and morphologic adaptation to physical training in skeletal muscle tissue of eleven middle-aged, physically untrained men was studied. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis before, after 8 weeks and after 6 months of physical training for analysis of metabolic and morphologic variables. Glucose tolerance test indicated increased insulin sensitivity after 6 months of physical training. The activities of glycogen phosphorylase, hexokinase and glucose-6-P-dehydrogenase were increased but other enzymes involved in glycogen turnover and glycolysis were unchanged after 6 months of physical traning. The activities of citrate synthase and cytochrome-c-oxidase, representing the oxidative capacity were significantly increased already after 8 weeks of physical training. The incorporation rate of palmitate-carbon into CO2 and triglycerides increased, and the incorporation rate of leucine-carbon into CO2 decreased with 6 months of physical training. The fiber diameter of both Type 1- and Type 2-fibers increased, while the mitochondrial volume increased predominantly in Type 2-fibers. Significant correlations were found between metabolic, physiologic and morphologic variables before and after physical training. The results indicate an increased oxidative capacity, mainly located to Type 2-fibers, and an increased utilization of fatty acids in response to this type of physical training.     

Subject: Skeletal morphology and plumage

Research Notes on Avian Biology 1994: Selected Contributions from the 21st International Ornithological CongressMorphology and Physiology: Bones and Feathers

Subject: Skeletal morphology and plumage     

Reversibility of the haemodynamic effects of anabolic steroids in rats

The haemodynamic effects of 6 weeks nandrolone decanoate treatment (total dose 30 mg.kg-1) (SG I, n = 12) and their reversibility were studied in anaesthetised, open-chest male rats exposed to 5 min isoproterenol (2.5 micrograms.kg-1) and CaCl2 (25.0 mg.kg-1) loads. In SG I, the heart weight and its ratio to body weight were greater than in the untreated rats (CG I, n = 13) (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01 respectively). The initial heart rate and the inotropic and chronotropic responses to isoproterenol were lower in SG I than in CG I (p less than 0.05 in all cases). Peripheral resistance decreased during both infusions in SG I but remained unaltered in CG I (p less than 0.05). 6 weeks after finishing anabolic steroid treatment (SG II, n = 11), in the CaCl2-test the ejection fraction (p less than 0.05) and stroke index were smaller than in control rats of the same age (CG II, n = 12). Mean aortic pressure was lower in SG II than in CG II. In the CaCl2-test peripheral resistance was initially higher, but decreased during the infusion in SG II while it increased in CG II (p less than 0.05 in both cases). In conclusion, anabolic steroid treatment reversibly reduces the left ventricular response to isoproterenol. It decreases peripheral vascular tone during inotropic loads. Six weeks after the cessation of treatment, the pumping efficiency of the heart is reduced.     

失重状态下肌萎缩研究进展

失重条件下人和动物生理状态会发生一系列的变化,其中骨骼肌萎缩和力量下降较为显著,目前其发生的机制仍不明确且缺少特效的干预措施。本文从肌肉湿重及肌纤维横截面积的变化、肌纤维类型的变化、肌纤维超微结构的变化、肌梭的适应性变化四个方面进行简要阐述,探讨肌肉萎缩的可能发生机制。