title: Effects of anabolic steroids, testosterone, and HGH on blood lipids and echocardiographic parameters in body builders.
abstract: To evaluate the metabolic or cardiovascular effects induced by self-administration of human growth hormone (HGH) alone or combined with testosterone and anabolic steroids, we conducted a study with 15 male body builders. Of these, 8 (control group) did not take any hormonal substances; 6 (experimental group) self-administered testosterone, anabolic steroids, and HGH for 6 weeks in various dosages; 1 subject self-administered only HGH for an equal period of time. At the end of the period of treatment with the hormonal combination, the experimental group continued for 2 additional weeks with anabolic steroids and testosterone only. All maintained the same, unaltered type and intensity of training, and constant diet. Before the beginning of treatment with hormonal substances, after 6 weeks, and at the end of treatment (for a total of 8 weeks), they were tested for total and HDL-cholesterol (t-chol and HDL-chol), apolipoproteins A-1 and B (apo A-1 and B), and triglycerides (tg). Before the start and after 6 weeks, an echocardiographic examination was performed to assess left ventricular dimensions and function in all 15 body builders. The most interesting result is a significant decrease of HDL-chol and apo A-1 derived from self-administration of anabolic steroids and HGH together.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Medicina dello Sport, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zuliani
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bernardini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catapano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campana
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cerioli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spattini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004452:Echocardiography; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D013177:Sports; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014891:Weight Lifting
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D013739:Testosterone; D013006:Growth Hormone