An androgenic steroid decreases left ventricular compliance in rats

Abstract

The effect of chronic administration of an androgenic steroid on left ventricular (LV) compliance and contractility was studied in rats. Rats received a biweekly intramuscular injection of nandrolone decanoate (5 mg/kg; steroid group) or the vehicle (control group) for 3 mo. Cardiac performance was measured in anesthetized open-chest ventilated rats. LV compliance was determined from the slope of the LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) vs. LV end-diastolic (LVED) strain relation measured in the long and short axes of the LV. LV regional myocardial compliance was determined from the slope of the LVED stress vs. LVED strain relation (myocardial elastic stiffness constant). Cardiac contractility was determined from the slope of the LV end-systolic (LVES) pressure vs. LVES strain relation. Systolic performance was also assessed from the slope of the pressure-length area (PL area) or stroke work vs. LVED strain and LVEDP relations. Nandrolone decanoate decreased body weight, heart weight, and plasma testosterone concentrations but increased the heart weight-to-body weight ratio. Nandrolone decanoate decreased LV compliance (slope of LVEDP vs. LVED strain relation in long and short axes; steroid vs. control, P < 0.01). This occurred as a result of an increased regional myocardial stiffness (myocardial elastic stiffness constant; steroid vs. control, P < 0.01), which resulted in a reduced cardiac systolic performance (PL area vs. LVEDP, slope of steroid vs. control group, P < 0.005). Diastolic geometry (LV wall thickness-to-radius ratio) and cardiac contractility were unchanged with steroid administration. In conclusion, chronic administration of the androgenic steroid nandrolone decanoate decreases LV myocardial compliance and thus overall cardiac performance without altering contractility in rats.

Aldosterone Receptor Blockade Prevents the Transition to Cardiac Pump Dysfunction Induced by β-Adrenoreceptor Activation

“…The results of the present study are consistent with the favorable impact of aldosterone receptor antagonists on cardiac chamber dimensions in alternative forms of human and animal models of cardiac disease. [7][8][9] Because ISO and SPIRO modified the intercept but not the slope of diastolic pressuredimension relations and androgenic steroids determine the slope but not the intercept, 21 the impact of SPIRO in the present study is unlikely to be attributed to androgen receptor effects. Because glucocortocoids act as antagonists of aldosterone receptors in cardiac tissue and thus protect against the ability of aldosterone to promote fibrosis and LVH, 22 the favorable effect of SPIRO is unlikely to be attributed to blockade of glucocortocoid actions on mineralocorticoid receptors.…”

Effects of administering testosterone undecanoate in rats subjected to physical exercise: effects on the estrous cycle, motor behavior and morphology of the liver and kidney

“…Published data indicate that chronic use of AAS is directly related to an increase in number of cardiac myocytes (Marsh et al, 1998). According to Trifunovic et al (1995Trifunovic et al ( , 1998, chronic administration of high doses of anabolic androgenic steroids such as nandrolone decanoate, similar to those used by athletes, attributes to a decrease in compliance of the myocardium in the left ventricle, as well as changes in contractility and cardiac performance. In contrast, AAS administration, combined with physical training, has been reported to prevent cardiac hypertrophy in dogs submitted to endurance training (Moore, 1998).…”

Androgen Receptors Mediate Hypertrophy in Cardiac Myocytes

“…17,47 There are many anecdotal reports of adverse myocardial effects of exogenous androgens in humans, 38 although this is not a universal finding. 48 Third, there are implications for androgen regulation of gene expression in heart beyond cardiac hypertrophy.…”