title: The effects of anabolic steroids on myocardial structure and cardiovascular fitness.
abstract: To determine the effects of anabolic steroids on myocardial structure, VO2max, and body composition, experienced age-matched male weight trainers (M age 26.5 yr) who either used (U) (N = 11) or did not use (NU) (N = 13) anabolic steroids were evaluated. Steroid users were tested while off cycle (U-OFF) for at least 8 wk, again at the peak (U-ON) of their subsequent cycle, and to the nonuser group of weight trainers. Echocardiographic measurements revealed significant differences in left ventricular (LV) mass (182.8 +/- 26.9 g vs 210.6 +/- 42 g; P < 0.05) and interventricular septum thickness (IVS) (10.3 +/- 1.2 mm vs 11.1 +/- 1.2 mm; P < 0.05) between U-OFF and U-ON, respectively. NU measurements were also significantly different than U-ON for LV mass and IVS (186.5 +/- 36.2 g; P < 0.05 and 9.3 +/- 1.2 mm; P < 0.05, respectively). LV diameter in diastole was significantly greater in U-ON (59.1 mm) than in NU (55.7 mm; P < 0.05). In addition, LV posterior wall thickness in diastole was greater in U-ON compared with NU (11.2 mm vs 9.5 mm; P < 0.05). VO2max values for both user groups were significantly lower than those for NU (U-OFF = 41.0 +/- 4.5 ml.kg-1.min-1, U-ON = 41.0 +/- 5.7 ml.kg-1.min-1, and NU = 50.2 +/- 6.4 ml.kg-1.min-1; P < 0.05). Despite these morphological changes within the myocardium, there were no concomitant increases in shortening fraction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198.
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Sachtleben
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cheatham
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hofschire
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D004452:Echocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents