TY - JOUR
T1 - Reversibility of the effects on blood cells, lipids, liver function and hormones in former anabolic-androgenic steroid abusers
AU - Urhausen, Axel
AU - Torsten, Albers
AU - Wilfried, Kindermann
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by grants of the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft, Bonn, Germany (# VF 0407/03/01/2000). The authors thank Dr. L. Schwarz for the sonographic investigations of the subjects.
PY - 2003/2
Y1 - 2003/2
N2 - Background: In contrast to the acute effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse, the long-term risk profile of former long-term abusers (ExA) is less clear. Methods: Blood parameters of 32 male bodybuilders and powerlifters were studied. Fifteen ExA had not been abusing AAS for at least 12-43 months on average (mean dosage 700mg for 26 weeks per year over 9 years), 17 athletes (A) were still abusing AAS (750mg for 33 weeks per 8 years). Findings: Hemoglobin (+5%), leucocytes (+33%) and platelets (+38%) were significantly higher in A. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were higher, cholinesterase activity (CHE) lower in A (65±55, 38±27 and 3719±1528U/l) compared to ExA (24±10, 18±11 and 6345±975U/l; each P<0.001) with normal values for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and bilirubin. ALT, AST and CHE correlated significantly with the extent (duration and weekly dosage, expressed as a point score) of AAS abuse in A (r=0.68, 0.57 and -0.62; each P<0.01). Total and LDL-cholesterol were similar, HDL-cholesterol was distinctly lower in A than in ExA (17±11 and 43±11mg/dl; P<0.001) and correlated negatively with the extent of AAS abuse (r=-0.50; P<0.05). Testosterone and estradiol were significantly higher, while LH, FSH and the sexual-hormone-binding (SHB) protein were lower in A than in ExA (each P<0.001). Two ExA had testosterone levels below the normal range. Interpretation: The alterations in cell counts, HDL-cholesterol, liver function and most hormones of the pituitary-testicular axis induced by a long-term abuse of AAS were reversible after stopping the medication for over 1 year. In some ExA, an increased ALT activity and a depressed testosterone synthesis were found.
AB - Background: In contrast to the acute effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse, the long-term risk profile of former long-term abusers (ExA) is less clear. Methods: Blood parameters of 32 male bodybuilders and powerlifters were studied. Fifteen ExA had not been abusing AAS for at least 12-43 months on average (mean dosage 700mg for 26 weeks per year over 9 years), 17 athletes (A) were still abusing AAS (750mg for 33 weeks per 8 years). Findings: Hemoglobin (+5%), leucocytes (+33%) and platelets (+38%) were significantly higher in A. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were higher, cholinesterase activity (CHE) lower in A (65±55, 38±27 and 3719±1528U/l) compared to ExA (24±10, 18±11 and 6345±975U/l; each P<0.001) with normal values for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and bilirubin. ALT, AST and CHE correlated significantly with the extent (duration and weekly dosage, expressed as a point score) of AAS abuse in A (r=0.68, 0.57 and -0.62; each P<0.01). Total and LDL-cholesterol were similar, HDL-cholesterol was distinctly lower in A than in ExA (17±11 and 43±11mg/dl; P<0.001) and correlated negatively with the extent of AAS abuse (r=-0.50; P<0.05). Testosterone and estradiol were significantly higher, while LH, FSH and the sexual-hormone-binding (SHB) protein were lower in A than in ExA (each P<0.001). Two ExA had testosterone levels below the normal range. Interpretation: The alterations in cell counts, HDL-cholesterol, liver function and most hormones of the pituitary-testicular axis induced by a long-term abuse of AAS were reversible after stopping the medication for over 1 year. In some ExA, an increased ALT activity and a depressed testosterone synthesis were found.
KW - Anabolic-androgenic steroids
KW - Blood lipids
KW - Bodybuilders
KW - Doping
KW - Hormones
KW - Liver enzymes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037318850&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0960-0760(03)00105-5
DO - 10.1016/S0960-0760(03)00105-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 12711025
AN - SCOPUS:0037318850
SN - 0960-0760
VL - 84
SP - 369
EP - 375
JO - Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JF - Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
IS - 2-3
ER -