Resistance trained athletes using or not using anabolic steroids compared to runners: effects on cardiorespiratory variables, body composition, and plasma lipids.

Abstract

Objective-To determine whether there is a difference in cardiac size and function as well as in body composition, aerobic capacity, and blood lipids between resistance trained athletes who use anabolic steroids and those who do not, and to compare them to university cross country athletes.Methods-Four groups of men were evaluated: recreational lifters, n = 11, lifting < 10 h week1; heavy lifters, n = 16, lifting > 10 h weekl1; steroid users, n = 8, same as heavy lifters and used steroids; runners, n = 8, university track members. Echocardiograms, body composition (hydrostatic weighing), maximum oxygen consumption (Vo2), and lipids were studied.Results-As expected, Vo2 (ml-kg'lmin'1), was greatest in the runners, with no difference among the lifting groups. High density lipoprotein cholesterol in the steroid user group was lower than in heavy lifters or runners. Left ventricular internal diastolic dimension was similar among the groups. The left ventricular mass index of the steroid user group was significantly greater than recreational lifters, at 161 v 103. There was no difference among heavy lifters (127), runners (124), and steroid users. There was no compromise in diastolic function in any group. There were no differences among groups in resting or exercise blood pressure.Conclusions-Resistance training in the absence of steroid use results in the same positive effects on cardiac dimensions, diastolic fimction, and blood lipids as aerobic training. (BrJt Sports Med 1996;30: 11-14)

Side Effects of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: Pathological Findings and Structure–Activity Relationships

“…Upon autopsy as well as in living persons, a dose-dependent left-ventricular hypertrophy has been observed (De Piccoli et al 1991;Dickerman et al 1997;Karila 2003;Karila et al 2003;Krieg et al 2007;McKillop et al 1986;Nottin et al 2006;Sachtleben et al 1993;Sader et al 2001;Thiblin et al 2000;Urhausen et al 2004;Yeater et al 1996; own observation). Similar findings have been described for the cardiac ventricular septum (Sader et al 2001).…”

Decanoato de nandrolona aumenta a parede ventricular esquerda, mas atenua o aumento da cavidade provocado pelo treinamento de natação em ratos

“…In an echocardiographic study (24) , the AAS increased the left ventricular wall thickness of elite athletes in more than 13mm, while mean increase in the cavity diameter was of 16mm. AAS stimulating effects on these cardiac dimensions have also been verified, including when compared with individuals who performed moderate resistance training (22) . AAS cause stiffness on the cardiac muscle in trained and sedentary rats (21) , an alteration which may be attributed to the myofibrillar destruction.…”

“…In a study carried out by Yeater et al (22) there was no difference on the ventricular wall, nor on the interventricular septum in individuals who used AAS compared with others who performed resistance training. However, the left ventricular mass was higher in individuals who used the drugs than in the trained ones.…”

“…However, studies (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)31,32) on the influence of the AAS use on these variables, especially concerning the cardiovascular system, have presented different results since the effect of these drugs depend on, for instance, the kind of anabolic steroid, dose, period of use and administration means of the drug, besides the species, age, sex, training level and other variables associated with the animal.…”

Kardiovaskuläre Nebenwirkungen von anabol-androgenen Steroiden

“…Ein Anstieg der linksventrikulären Muskelmasse unter anabolen Steroiden ist dokumentiert [20,21,24,54,86,94,106,110]. Es scheint sogar ein Zusammenhang mit der täglichen AAS-Dosis zu bestehen [54].…”