title: Structural changes and immunohistochemical localisation of epidermal growth factor receptor in the true vocal fold of female albino rats administered anabolic, androgenic steroids, and effects of anti-androgen therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anabolic steroid abuse by women is associated with a number of adverse effects, including laryngeal changes. The epidermal growth factor receptor is related to regulation of the cell life cycle. This study aimed to investigate the structural changes and immunohistochemical localisation of epidermal growth factor receptor in rat vocal folds following anabolic steroid administration, and also to assess the effect of anti-androgens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two adult female albino rats were divided into: group I (controls), group II (receiving anabolic steroids for two months) or group III (receiving anabolic steroids plus anti-androgen for two months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group II rat true vocal folds showed thicker epithelial layers with many mitotic figures, thicker lamina propria and thicker muscle fibres; epithelial cells were also immunohistochemically positive for epidermal growth factor receptor. Group III rats showed similar changes, but thin muscle fibres and extravasated red blood cells within the lamina propria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anabolic steroids caused structural and immunohistochemical changes within the female rat true vocal fold. Co-administration of anti-androgens did not prevent these changes, suggesting that anti-androgens have a limited role in the management of such changes in humans.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. hazememam47@yahoo.com
authors: H E
authors: HE
authors: Amer
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Asker
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Mazroa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005485:Flutamide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens; D015415:Biomarkers; D009277:Nandrolone; D005485:Flutamide; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate