Muscle ultrastructure after strength training with placebo or anabolic steroid.
The influence of strength training on muscle fiber area, capillary ultrastructure, and capillary supply was studied in experienced male bodybuilders taking either anabolic steroids or a placebo. During 8 weeks, 13 subjects received a weekly injection of either placebo or nandrolone decanoate (starting dose 200 mg, followed by 100 mg weekly), in a double-blind, counterbalanced design. Before and after 8 weeks a needle biopsy was taken from the vastus lateralis muscle for studying morphometric characteristics of fibers and ultrastructure and morphometric characteristics of capillaries. The fiber cross-sectional area increased significantly only after steroid treatment. Capillary ultrastructure and capillary supply were not changed after the training period. In none of the measured parameters was any difference found between placebo and steroid treatment.
Dept. of Physiology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
H
H
Kuipers
F M
FM
Peeze Binkhorst
F
F
Hartgens
J A
JA
Wijnen
H A
HA
Keizer
D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002196:Capillaries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009210:Myofibrils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010919:Placebos
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D009277:Nandrolone; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate