Reduced high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in power athletes: use of male sex hormone derivates, an atherogenic factor.
The effect of androgenic steroids on plasma lipids was studied in seven power athletes who self-administered androgenic steroids on the average 45 mg/day during an 8-week strength training period. At the beginning of the study, no significant differences were noticed in HDL-cholesterol levels between the steroid users and the controls. After 8 weeks of strength training, the androgen users had reduced the HDL-cholesterol by 54% (from 1.47 to 0.67 mmol/l). The difference when compared to controls was highly significant (P less than 0.001). It was concluded that the use of androgenic steroids combined with strength training decreases serum HDL-cholesterol and thus may cause a higher risk for coronary heart disease.
D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology; D004300:Doping in Sports; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012306:Risk; D013177:Sports; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014891:Weight Lifting; D014952:Wrestling
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D013739:Testosterone