Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Nonusers Research Articles

Long-term anabolic steroids in male bodybuilders induce cardiovascular structural and autonomic abnormalities.

The aims of this study were to examine the hypothesis that users of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) would have cardiac autonomic disorders and that there is a correlation between sympathetic modulation, high blood pressure (BP) and alterations to cardiac dimensions. Forty-five male subjects were enrolled in the study. They were categorized into three groups comprising bodybuilders actively using AAS (AAS users; n = 15), bodybuilders who had never used AAS (nonusers; n = 15) and age-paired healthy sedentary controls (n = 15). Hemodynamic parameters, linear and nonlinear analyses of heart rate variability and electrocardiography and echocardiography analyses were performed at rest. Bodybuilders in the AAS group had a higher mean BP than those in the ASS nonuser group (p<0.05) and the sedentary controls (p<0.001). Cardiac sympathetic modulation was higher in AAS users than in AAS nonusers (p<0.05) and the sedentary controls (p<0.001), and parasympathetic modulation was lower in AAS users than in nonusers and the sedentary controls (p<0.05). Shannon entropy was lower in AAS users than in the sedentary (p<0.05) controls, and the corrected QT interval and QT dispersion were higher in AAS users than in the sedentary controls (p<0.05). The interventricular septal thickness, left ventricle posterior wall thickness and relative diastolic wall thickness were higher in AAS users than in AAS nonusers and the sedentary controls (p<0.001). AAS users showed a positive correlation between increased sympathetic modulation and high BP (r=0.48, p<0.005), as well as sympathetic modulation and cardiac hypertrophy (r=0.66, p<0.001). There was a marked cardiac autonomic alteration in AAS users, with a shift toward sympathetic modulation predominance and vagal attenuation. The high BP observed in our group of bodybuilders using AAS was associated with increased sympathetic modulation, and this increased sympathetic modulation was associated with structural alterations in the heart. This association may constitute an important mechanism linking AAS abuse to increased cardiovascular risk.

Anabolic steroids affect human periodontal health and microbiota

This study aims to evaluate periodontal microbiological differences between systemically healthy nonsmoker males taking anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) and non-AAS users and to find associations between disease severity and AAS use. Ninety-two men practicing bodybuilding were included in the study. They were divided into AAS users and a matched control nonuser group and subgrouped based on their most severe periodontal condition. Pooled subgingival samples from each individual were cultured to evaluate specific periodontopathogen infection. AAS users had significantly higher prevalence of severe periodontitis. AAS users had greater gingival inflammation and clinical attachment loss of ≥ 3 mm than nonusers (odds ratio (OR) = 2.4; p = 0.09; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.8-6.4). AAS users were 4.9 times more likely to be infected with Prevotella intermedia than AAS nonusers (OR = 4.9; p = 0.003; 95 % CI 1.6-14.7). The OR of presenting subgingival Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was 8.2 times higher in AAS users (OR = 8.2; p = 0.03; 95 % CI 0.9-70.8). AAS users were 5.6 times more likely to present subgingival Candida spp. than nonusers (OR = 5.6; p = 0.02; 95 % CI 1.1-27.1). AAS users were 14.8 times more likely to present subgingival Candida parapsilosis than nonusers (OR = 14.8; p < 0.0001; 95 % CI 3.1-69.2). The likelihood of AAS users presenting subgingival Candida tropicalis was 4.3 times higher than nonusers (OR = 4.3; p = 0.03; 95 % CI 1.1-16.9). A. actinomycetemcomitans was mostly isolated in individuals with severe periodontitis and was associated with subgingival Porphyromonas gingivalis, P. intermedia, and Candida spp. AAS use may increase the risk for severe periodontitis and may cause a subgingival selection of certain Candida species. Specific periodontopathogens, such as Candida dubliniensis and Candida albicans, seem to be negatively affected by AAS use. The higher risk for disease progression in AAS users may be explained by the significantly higher proportions of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, and Candida species as compared to controls. Data on the influence of AAS on subgingival periodontopathogens and disease progression are scarce. Higher proportions of specific periodontopathogens are plausible in AAS users. AAS users had a higher prevalence of severe periodontitis, gingival inflammation, and clinical attachment loss. Men taking AAS are at greater risk of periodontitis and specific periodontopathogen infection.

Post‐Exercise Heart Rate Recovery is Impaired in Anabolic Steroids Users

Purpose We hypothesized that heart rate recovery (HRR) would be lower in anabolic androgenic steroids users (AASU) compared with anabolic androgenic steroids nonusers (AASNU). Methods Eight AASU and 7 AASNU participated in the study. Anabolic steroid was tested by urine (chromatography-mass spectrometry). Cardiopulmonary exercise was performed on treadmill ramp protocol. Heart rate was evaluated by a 12 leads EKG. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was measured by microneurography. Results Peak oxygen consumption was lower in AASU compared with AASNU (45±2.27 vs. 52±1.85 ml/kg/min, P=.04). Peak HR was not different between groups (189±3 vs. 184±2 bpm, P=.28). There were no difference in peak respiratory exchange ratio between groups (1.26±.05 vs. 1.26±.03, P=.96). The HRR at first and second minute of recovery was lower in AASU than AASNU (18±2 vs. 26±1 bpm, P=.003; 34±4 vs. 43±1 bpm, P=.04, respectively). MSNA was higher in AASU than AASNU (29±3 vs. 20±1 bursts/min, P=.01). Further analysis showed an inverse correlation between MSNA and HRR (r=.64, P=.02). Conclusion The impairment in HRR during the post-exercise period and the increased MSNA are consistent with autonomic dysfunction in AASU.

Abnormal Neurovascular Control in Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Users

Previous studies showed that anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) increase vascular resistance and blood pressure (BP) in humans. In this study, we tested the hypotheses 1) that AAS users would have increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and reduced forearm blood flow (FBF) compared with AAS nonusers and 2) that there would be an association between MSNA and 24-h BP. Twelve AAS users aged 31 +/- 2 yr (means +/- SE) and nine age-matched AAS nonusers aged 29 +/- 2 yr participated in the study. All individuals were involved in strength training for at least 2 yr. AAS was determined by urine test (chromatography-mass spectrometry). MSNA was directly measured by microneurography technique. FBF was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. BP monitoring consisted of measures of BP for 24 h. MSNA was significantly higher in AAS users than that in AAS nonusers (29 +/- 3 vs 20 +/- 1 bursts per minute, P = 0.01). FBF (1.92 +/- 0.17 vs 2.77 +/- 0.24 mL x min(-1) x 100 mL(-1), P = 0.01) and forearm vascular conductance (2.01 +/- 0.17 vs 2.86 +/- 0.31 U, P = 0.02) were significantly lower in AAS users than that in AAS nonusers. Systolic (131 +/- 4 vs 120 +/- 3 mm Hg, P = 0.001), diastolic (74 +/- 4 vs 68 +/- 3 mm Hg, P = 0.02), and mean BP (93 +/- 4 vs 86 +/- 3 mm Hg, P = 0.005) and heart rate (74 +/- 3 vs 68 +/- 3 bpm, P = 0.02) were significantly higher in AAS users when compared with AAS nonusers. Further analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between MSNA and 24-h mean BP (r = 0.75, P = 0.002). AAS increases MSNA and reduces muscle blood flow in young individuals. In addition, the increase in BP levels in AAS users is associated with augmented sympathetic outflow. These findings suggest that AAS increases the susceptibility for cardiovascular disease in humans.

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use by Private Health Club/Gym Athletes

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research was to obtain a descriptive data base about individuals who train at private health clubs/gyms including their strength training habits and methods, their knowledge and use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), and their demographics. The pool involved a survey of 185 subjects from five institutions. A 22-item questionnaire was designed and administered to gather the desired data. Results from the current research indicated that about 15% of the sample have used or are using AAS. Other studies (5, 13) that researched AAS use at private health clubs/gyms have indicated rates higher than these. The types of private institutions may be a factor in the differences. A description of the subjects is presented so that the members of private health clubs/gyms may be analyzed. Comparisons are made between AAS users and AAS nonusers as they relate to the questionnaire. Because such data is relatively rare, it is difficult to draw absolute conclusions.