Effects of testosterone enanthate and resistance training on myocardium in Wistar rats; clinical and anatomical pathology

Abstract

This study was performed to determine the effects of 8 weeks testosterone enanthate (TE) injection and resistance training (RT) on cardiac muscle in male Wistar rats. A total of 28 male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; control + placebo, RT + placebo, TE and TE + RT. Testosterone enanthate (20 mg/kg BW, IM) and placebo (olive oil; 0.2 ml, IM) were injected twice a week for 2 months. The RT consisted of climbing (5 reps/3 sets) a ladder carrying a load suspended from the tail. The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and serum level of creatinine, urea and cardiac troponin I (CTnI) were evaluated. After sacrifice, samples from myocardial muscle were collected for histopathology evaluation. The serum concentration of CTnI and CK-MB activity significantly increased in group RT compared with control (p < .05). In group RT + TE, all biomarkers of muscle damage (CTnI, CK-MB, AST, LDH) were significantly more than those in control (p < .05). Also, mild myocardial hypertrophy was observed in RT and RT + TE groups. The higher level of all heart damage biomarkers in the RT + TE group rather than control may indicate the synergistic effects of medication and exercise.

Alteration of Testosterone Levels Changes Brain Wave Activity Patterns and Induces Aggressive Behavior in Rats

“…The present study found no changes in hepatic or renal function, but a decrease was observed in urea levels in the supplemented castrated group, which was of no clinical significance when considered in isolation. This corroborates the findings of previous studies, which have shown no alteration in renal function following the use of testosterone, with only a slight increase in GOT being observed, suggesting dysfunction in the hepatic metabolism (23).…”

“…The testosterone (Durateston®) dosage was determined by the results of a pilot experiment. Doses of 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg/kg (23, 24) were tested for 4 days, once a day. On the fifth day, the potential for aggressive behavior in the animals was tested by the presentation of an intruder male for 10 min.…”

Effects of Supraphysiological Doses of Steroids on the Left Ventricle of Sedentary Mice: Morphometric Analysis

“…In biochemical tests, it is known that troponin isoenzymes (cTnI) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) are specific indicators of cell lysis and are elevated in users of anabolic steroids. 24,25 The heart rate also decreases after exercise, according to dos Santos, 26 who also reports that this may be an effect of changes in the parasympathetic nervous system, suggesting that these effects may also occur at rest in the case of sedentary mice, due to the changes already mentioned. The decrease in heart rate is a predisposing factor to cardiovascular pathologies.…”

Effects of 8 Weeks of Resistance Training and IGF-1 Injection on Biochemical Markers of Cancer and Colorectal Structures in Rats

“…The rats were familiarized with climbing a ladder (1×0.18 m, 2-cm grid, 85° incline) with weights attached to their tails to simulate resistance exercise. The RS and RI groups performed eight weeks of resistance training consisting of three sets of five repetitions, three times a week, with 1-min rest intervals between the reps and 2-min intervals between the sets (21,22). The initial weight attached to each animal's tail was 50% of its body weight and increased gradually throughout the eight weeks (22).…”

“…The RS and RI groups performed eight weeks of resistance training consisting of three sets of five repetitions, three times a week, with 1-min rest intervals between the reps and 2-min intervals between the sets (21,22). The initial weight attached to each animal's tail was 50% of its body weight and increased gradually throughout the eight weeks (22). Subjects in the C and II groups did not perform any exercise.…”