A comparative study of the effect of the dose and exposure duration of anabolic androgenic steroids on behavior, cholinergic regulation, and oxidative stress in rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess if the dose and exposure duration of the anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) boldenone (BOL) and stanazolol (ST) affected memory, anxiety, and social interaction, as well as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex (CC) and hippocampus (HC). Male Wistar rats (90 animals) were randomly assigned to three treatment protocols: (I) 5 mg/kg BOL or ST, once a week for 4 weeks; (II) 2.5 mg/kg BOL or ST, once a week for 8 weeks; and (III) 1.25 mg/kg BOL or ST, once a week for 12 weeks. Each treatment protocol included a control group that received an olive oil injection (vehicle control) and AAS were administered intramuscularly (a total volume of 0.2 ml) once a week in all three treatment protocols. In the BOL and ST groups, a higher anxiety level was observed only for Protocol I. BOL and ST significantly affected social interaction in all protocols. Memory deficits and increased AChE activity in the CC and HC were found in the BOL groups treated according to Protocol III only. In addition, BOL and ST significantly increased oxidative stress in both the CC and HC in the groups treated according to Protocol I and III. In conclusion, our findings show that the impact of BOL and ST on memory, anxiety, and social interaction depends on the dose and exposure duration of these AAS.

Neurotoxic Effects of Stanozolol on Male Rats‘ Hippocampi: Does Stanozolol cause apoptosis?

“…Based on previous literature, AAS consumption as lead to memory disorders [37]. As hippocampal neurons play a key role in memory and learning processes, one probable reason for memory impairment is due to the apoptotic effects which cause neural death in the hippocampal area.…”

17α-Methyltestosterone (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) Alters Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme Activity in Different Parts of the Brain in Female Mice, Mus Musculus

“…A report on human imaging study suggests the elevation of acetylcholine (ACh) levels in patients who are actively depressed, as measured by occupancy of nicotinic receptors throughout the brain and remain high in patients who have a history of depression [34]. In contrast, increased AChE activity in the cerebral and hippocampus was found in the boldenone treated rats [35]. Likewise, increase in AChE activity following treatment of ND suggested impairment in neurotransmission and cholinergic modulation [24].…”

The Role of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in Disruption of the Physiological Function in Discrete Areas of the Central Nervous System

“…Behind neurotransmitters, the redox status may also explain AAS-neurotoxicity. Indeed, Bueno et al proved that different doses and periods of boldenone and stanazolol administration can change reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cerebral cortex and hippocampus [ 58 ]. Boldenone was also able to increase acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity.…”

“…This effect allowed suggesting that cholinergic system can be involved through the stimulation of presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and consequently release of glutamate, GABA, dopamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. This mechanism could explain the increased aggressive-like behavior and territorial dominance [ 58 ].…”