Effects of Androgenic-Anabolic Steroids in Athletes

Abstract

Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. They can exert strong effects on the human body that may be beneficial for athletic performance. A review of the literature revealed that most laboratory studies did not investigate the actual doses of AAS currently abused in the field. Therefore, those studies may not reflect the actual (adverse) effects of steroids. The available scientific literature describes that short-term administration of these drugs by athletes can increase strength and bodyweight. Strength gains of about 5-20% of the initial strength and increments of 2-5 kg bodyweight, that may be attributed to an increase of the lean body mass, have been observed. A reduction of fat mass does not seem to occur. Although AAS administration may affect erythropoiesis and blood haemoglobin concentrations, no effect on endurance performance was observed. Little data about the effects of AAS on metabolic responses during exercise training and recovery are available and, therefore, do not allow firm conclusions. The main untoward effects of short- and long-term AAS abuse that male athletes most often self-report are an increase in sexual drive, the occurrence of acne vulgaris, increased body hair and increment of aggressive behaviour. AAS administration will disturb the regular endogenous production of testosterone and gonadotrophins that may persist for months after drug withdrawal. Cardiovascular risk factors may undergo deleterious alterations, including elevation of blood pressure and depression of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-, HDL2- and HDL3-cholesterol levels. In echocardiographic studies in male athletes, AAS did not seem to affect cardiac structure and function, although in animal studies these drugs have been observed to exert hazardous effects on heart structure and function. In studies of athletes, AAS were not found to damage the liver. Psyche and behaviour seem to be strongly affected by AAS. Generally, AAS seem to induce increments of aggression and hostility. Mood disturbances (e.g. depression, [hypo-]mania, psychotic features) are likely to be dose and drug dependent. AAS dependence or withdrawal effects (such as depression) seem to occur only in a small number of AAS users. Dissatisfaction with the body and low self-esteem may lead to the so-called 'reverse anorexia syndrome' that predisposes to the start of AAS use. Many other adverse effects have been associated with AAS misuse, including disturbance of endocrine and immune function, alterations of sebaceous system and skin, changes of haemostatic system and urogenital tract. One has to keep in mind that the scientific data may underestimate the actual untoward effects because of the relatively low doses administered in those studies, since they do not approximate doses used by illicit steroid users. The mechanism of action of AAS may differ between compounds because of variations in the steroid molecule and affinity to androgen receptors. Several pathways of action have been recognised....

Prevalência do uso e conhecimento de esteroides anabolizantes androgênicos por estudantes e professores de educação física que atuam em academias de ginástica

“…As their name suggests, they have anabolic properties responsible for nitrogen retention, increase of muscular volume and strength. The androgenic properties are responsible for the development of the masculine sexual characteristics and for many of the collateral effects [1][2][3][4] . Although the AAS have many aims for the treatment/control of many diseases, such substances are being used in a nontherapeutic and indiscriminate manner in our society, with the purpose to improve sports performance and mainly esthetics [1][2][3]5,6 .…”

Perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of secondary school students regarding the use of the forbidden stimulant substances in sports

“…Вјероватно узрок оваквог мишљења ученика јесте и недовољна информисаност по питању конзумације допинга у спорту и негативним посљедицама које он носи. Значај проблема допинга је базиран на више чињеница, а прије свега на штетним ефектима на поједине органске системе које изазива коришћење допинг супстанци (Mougios, 2001;Parssinen, & Sepapala, 2002;Payne, Kotwinski, & Montgomery, 2004;Hartgens, & Kuipers, 2004;Dhar, Stout, Link, Homoud, Weinstock, & Estes 2005., Deligiannis, Björnstad, Carre, Heidbüchel, Kouidi, & Panhuyzen-Goedkoop, 2006Hasson, Salem, & Sayed, 2009).…”

“…С обзиром да се ради о средњошколцима, податак од 10% који су конзумирали допинг је помало и очекиван, ако се узме у обзир окружење средине, социјално сазријевање, жеља за доказивањем у средини, побољшње физичког изгледа и побољшање спортских перформанси (Kindlundh, et al, 1998). Међутим, проблем представља и оних 10% који су већ конзумирали неку недозвољену супстанцу, вјероватно (не) свјесни евентуалних посљедица усљед недовољне информисаности о штетном дјеловању допинга, (Parssinen, & Sepapala, 2002;Payne, et al, 2004;Hartgens, & Kuipers, 2004; Dhar, et al, 2006;Hasson, et al, 2009). Резултати овог истраживања су различити од резултата ранијих истраживања ове врсте рађеним на узорку студената (Melia, et al, 1996;Wanjek, et al, 2007;Bondarev, et al, 2008Bondarev, et al, , 2009Pavlović, & Idrizović, 2013).…”

Effective separation and simultaneous analysis of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in their pharmaceutical formulations by a validated TLC-densitometry method

“…Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are mainly a group of natural or synthetic compounds that are chemically similar to the actions of androgynous testosterone, which is primarily a natural male hormone responsible for androgenic and anabolic effects observed during male adolescence and adulthood, and are modified to improve the anabolic effect of testosterone rather than its androgenic effect [1]. In addition to their medical uses, AAS have been widely misused by variety of athletes with the hope of improving their performance [2,3].…”