Side effects of anabolic androgenic steroids abuse.
Long-term side effects of high doses of anabolic androgenic steroids self-administration were evaluated in this study. Twenty male bodybuilders, voluntarily starting steroid self-administration, were followed every 6 months over 2 years. Physical examination, haematological, metabolic and endocrine variables, semen analysis, hepatic and prostate ultrasound and echocardiographic evaluations were performed. LH values (baseline 3.43 +/- 1.75) were suppressed at 18 (1.98 +/- 1.99) (p = 0.026) and 24 (2.43 +/- 2.17) (p = 0.026), and FSH (3.95 +/- 2.01) at 6 (3.01 +/- 2.16) (p = 0.031), 12 (2.45 +/- 2.54) (p = 0.029), 18 (2.02 +/- 2.29) (p = 0.032) and 24 (3.42 +/- 2.64) (p = 0.032) months and SHBG (34.11 +/- 10.88) values significantly lowered at 12 (24.81 +/- 12.49) (p < 0.05), 18 (21.28 +/- 11.15) (p < 0.01), 24 months (25.42 +/- 11.16) (p < 0.01). A significant decrease in spermatozoa count (p < 0.01), and fertility index (p = 0.01) occurred. HDL-cholesterol (baseline 56.94 +/- 13.54) was reduced at 18 (41.86 +/- 14.17) (p < 0.01) and 24 (43.82 +/- 18.67) (p < 0.05) months and Apo A-1 at 12 (p < 0.001), 18 (p = 0.05) and 24 (p = 0.05) months. The most important long-term adverse effects were lower fertility and the impairment of lipid profile associated with an increased cardiovascular risk.
Bonetti
A
A
Department of Clinical Science, Curriculum of Sports Science and Physical Exercise, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. antonio.bonetti@unipr.it
Tirelli
F
F
Catapano
A
A
Dazzi
D
D
Dei Cas
A
A
Solito
F
F
Ceda
G
G
Reverberi
C
C
Monica
C
C
Pipitone
S
S
Elia
G
G
Spattini
M
M
Magnati
G
G
D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012646:Self Administration; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014891:Weight Lifting
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens