title: Recombinant human growth hormone in abstinent androgenic-anabolic steroid use: psychological, endocrine and trophic factor effects.
abstract: This study examined whether six days recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) affected psychological profile in an abstinent androgenic-anabolic steroid (AAS) abusing group, compared with an abstinent AAS control group. Male subjects (n = 48) were assigned in a random fashion into one of two groups: (1): (n=24) control group (C); (2): (n=24) rhGH group (GH). A hospital anxiety scale (HADS) questionnaire was completed by all subjects. Physiological responses investigated included anthropometry. Biochemical markers examined included; serum glucose, sodium, urea, lipid profile, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), homocysteine (HCY), tetra-iodothyronine (T4), thyroid stimulating (TSH), luteinising (LH) and follicle stimulating (FSH) hormones, testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), cortisol and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-I). HADS questionnaire significantly decreased in both anxiety (A) and depression (D) symptoms within GH (P<0.017) and compared with C (P<0.05). Body mass index (BMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) significantly increased (both P<0.017) while body fat significantly decreased within GH (P<0.017). IGF-I significantly increased within GH (P<0.017) and significantly increased compared with C (P<0.05). Serum sodium significantly increased (P<0.017) and serum HCY, hsCRP, TSH and T4, significantly decreased within GH (all P<0.017). PRL significantly increased and T4 significantly decreased compared with C (both P<0.05). The findings of this study suggest that short term use of rhGH has beneficial effects on mental state in individuals who were previous abusers of AAS and appeared to have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk markers associated with adverse mental health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Health Science, School of Applied Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom. drgraham@glam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kicman
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hullin
authors.forename: Julien S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006728:Hormones; D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D014508:Urea; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012964:Sodium