The effects of anabolic steroids on collagen synthesis in rat skeletal muscle and tendon

Abstract

We measured the activities of prolyl 4-hydroxylase and galactosylhydroxylysyl glucosyltransferase (both enzymes of collagen biosynthesis) and the concentration of hydroxyproline in male rat soleus muscle and Achilles tendon during anabolic steroid treatment at 1 and 3 weeks. The rats were treated using a therapeutic dosage or a dosage that was five times the therapeutic level. After 1 week, the activity of prolyl 4-hydroxylase decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) in both treated groups in the soleus muscle, but the activity of galactosylhydroxylsyl glucosyltransferase decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) only in the group given a therapeutic dose. After 3 weeks, the activities were at the control level. In the Achilles tendon, the activity of prolyl 4-hydroxylase and the hydroxyproline concentration decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) in the group given high doses at 3 weeks. Anabolic steroid treatment seems to have at least a transitory effect on collagen biosynthesis in male rat muscle and tendon; in tendon this effect is seen only with high doses.

Androgenic-Anabolic Steroids Associated with Mechanical Loading Inhibit Matrix Metallopeptidase Activity and Affect the Remodeling of the Achilles Tendon in Rats

“…16 Biosynthesis of collagen in the rat tendon may be affected by high doses of AAS. 17 The use of AAS combined with exercise (treadmill) in one study induced an increase in stiffness and a decrease in both elongation and energy absorption. 16…”

Anabolic steroids and tendons: A review of their mechanical, structural, and biologic effects

“…Unfortunately, with the exception of case reports, very little data on the tissue‐specific effects of AAS (e.g., tendon vs. muscle vs. ligament) have been published. Of the studies included in this review, only Karpakka's study looked at both muscle and tendon . While they did not observe a dose‐dependent response in muscle, the concentration of prolyl 4‐hydroxylase and hydroxyproline in the tendon decreased significantly in the group treated with high‐dose (5 mg/kg) nandrolone decanoate.…”

Esteroides anabolizantes androgênicos: mecanismos de ação e possíveis efeitos colaterais

“…Assim sendo, os tendões podem não estar preparados para suportar a pressão exercida pelos músculos então mais fortes 18 , fazendo com que a combinação de EAA e treinamento resistido esteja associada a um alto risco de lesões nos tendões 21 . Parssinen et al 22 relatam que o uso de EAA influencia negativamente no metabolismo do colágeno tipo I, e, adicionalmente, estudos em modelos animais demonstraram que o uso de EAA levou a displasia do colágeno, fazendo com que os tendões se tonassem mais rígidos e menos flexíveis [23][24][25] . Um estudo prospectivo conduzido por Seynnes et al 21 avaliou os efeitos de EAA nas características do tendão patelar de indivíduos com histórico de treinamento resistido e uso de EAA, demonstrando rigidez 26% maior no tendão patelar no grupo EAA comparado ao grupo sem uso, sendo que essas adaptações podem estar associadas a um maior risco de lesão.…”