Adverse effects of performance-enhancing drugs on the kidney in the male bodybuilders

Abstract

Summary Objectives There are some reports, particularly case studies about adverse effects of performance-enhancing drugs on the renal function. However, there is very limited information about performance-enhancing drugs effects on the renal function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use a simple screening test to evaluate side effects of performance-enhancing drugs on the kidney among bodybuilding athletes in the south of Iran, Bushehr. Equipment and methods Personal information was collected via a face-to-face interview using a survey containing athlete's characteristics, exercise patterns and state of the performance-enhancing drug use. The bodybuilding athletes were classified according to the state of performance-enhancing drug use in the three stages as follows: (1) current performance-enhancing drug users, (2) non-current performance-enhancing drug users and (3) non-user athletes. The creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were measured as the main indices of renal function. Results The mean creatinine levels were significantly different among three studied groups (F = 7.35, df = 2, P 0.05). After adjusting for age, body mass index, alcohol and supplement use, the glomerular filtration rate levels of the current users were significantly lower than the non-current user and the non-user athletes. Moreover, the prevalence of acute kidney injury among the current users was significantly higher than the non-current and the non-user athletes (X2 = 10.40, df = 4, P