title: Potential for the effects of anabolic steroid abuse in the immune and neuroendocrine axis.
abstract: Some of the effects that high-dose anabolic steroid abuse have and could have on the interactions between the immune and neuroendocrine systems are reviewed. Considering the past demonstrations on the actions of normal steroids on endocrine and immune responses, it is apparent that pharmacologically high doses of both normal and derivatized androgens (anabolic steroids) could have a significant effect. Indeed, some of the pathologies attributed to anabolic steroid abuse point to disturbances in the intimate connection between neuroendocrine and immune function and interaction. We attempt to review both the direct and indirect effects of this abuse, not only on this interaction but also on certain immune functions in particular.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-1019, USA.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Rady
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents