title: Evidence for a decrease in cardiovascular risk factors following recombinant growth hormone administration in abstinent anabolic-androgenic steroid users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether six days recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in an abstinent anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) group had any cardiovascular and biochemical effects compared with a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male subjects (n=48) were randomly divided, using a single blind procedure into two groups: (1) control group (C) n=24, mean+/-SD, age 32+/-11 years; height 1.8+/-0.06m; (2) rhGH using group (0.058IUkg(-1)day(-1)) (GH) n=24, mean+/-SD, age 32+/-9 years; height 1.8+/-0.07m. Physiological responses, anthropometry, arterial pulse wave velocity (APWV), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), peak oxygen uptake (VO(2) peak) and biochemical indices were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body mass index, fat-free mass index and VO(2) peak significantly increased while body fat significantly decreased within GH (all P<0.017). Insulin like growth factor-I significantly increased within GH (P<0.017) and compared with C (P<0.05). Serum sodium significantly increased (P<0.017) and serum homocysteine, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, thyroid stimulating hormone and tetra-iodothyronine (T(4)), significantly decreased within GH (all P<0.017). T(4) significantly decreased compared with C (P<0.05). Arterial pulse wave velocity, peak and recovery systolic and diastolic BP, significantly decreased compared with C (P<0.05). Resting HR and rate pressure product (RPP) significantly increased compared with C (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study suggest that short term use of rhGH may have beneficial effects on endothelial function and specific inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease in abstinent AAS users, but may have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system, as evidenced by the increase in resting RPP.
authors.affiliation: Health and Exercise Science Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sport and Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom. drgraham@glam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Julien S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Evans
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: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects; D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D015415:Biomarkers; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013006:Growth Hormone