Eight weeks of treatment with nandrolone decanoate in female rats promotes disruption in the redox homeostasis and impaired renal function

Abstract

IntroductionMisuse of AAS is emergent among both genders, however, few studies were performed evaluating AAS effects on female body and none evaluate the impact of nandrolone decanoate (ND) in renal function. AimDetermine the effects of chronic treatment with ND on kidney function of female rats and evaluate the influence of oxidative stress on it. Material and methodsFemale rats were separated into two groups (n = 8 each), the treated group (DECA), which received ND at a dose of 20 mg/kg/week (i.m), and the control group (C), which was treated with the vehicle (peanut oil, i.m.). All treatments were performed during eight weeks. After this period, 24 h urine, blood and organs (heart, gastrocnemius muscle, liver and kidney) were collected. Organ hypertrophy was calculated, and kidney collagen content was evaluated. AOPP, TBARS, SOD and catalase activity were determined in the kidney. Moreover, proteinuria and creatinine clearance were also investigated. Key-findingsHypertrophy was observed in the liver, gastrocnemius muscle, heart and kidney. Kidney hypertrophy was followed by a reduced organ function and an increase in collagen deposition. Oxidative stress upsurge occurred in both proteins and lipids, followed by a reduction in SOD activity. SignificanceAdministration of DN in rats was followed by renal damage and kidney fibrosis due to increased oxidative stress on that organ.