title: The effects of anabolic androgenic steroids on serum ubiquinone and dolichol levels among steroid abusers.
abstract: We measured serum ubiquinone and dolichol concentrations in 13 men while they abused anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and during the following withdrawal period. Serum total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides were also determined. AAS administration increased serum ubiquinone by 68% (P < .001) and decreased serum dolichol by 30% (P < .002). Both nonsterol isoprenoid levels in plasma correlated with the AAS dose, ubiquinone positively (P < .001) and dolichol negatively (P < .002). When the subjects were taking steroids, the ubiquinone to LDL ratio was 42% higher than during the withdrawal period. In conclusion, our study suggests that AAS have an influence on the by-products of the mevalonate pathway.
authors.affiliation: National Public Health Institute, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karila
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laaksonen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jokelainen
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Himberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seppälä
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004286:Dolichols / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008798:Mevalonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004286:Dolichols; D014451:Ubiquinone; D008798:Mevalonic Acid