title: Anabolic steroid use and longitudinal, radial, and circumferential cardiac motion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of anabolic steroid (AS) use on cardiac structure and function and cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 47 strength-trained individuals (male = 46, female = 1), with 28 self-reporting regular AS use and 19 self-reporting never taking AS. Participants underwent assessment of body composition, lipid profiles, blood pressure, 12-lead ECG, and a comprehensive echocardiographic examination incorporating speckle tracking of longitudinal, radial, and circumferential left ventricular (LV) motion. A subgroup of AS users (n = 4) were tested during periods of AS use and abstinence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AS users were heavier (96 ± 15 vs 81 ± 9 kg, P < 0.05), had higher LDL (3.68 ± 0.47 vs 2.41 ± 0.49 mmol·L⁻¹, P < 0.05), and had higher resting HR (79 ± 12 vs 64 ± 13 beats·min⁻¹), although blood pressures did not differ significantly between groups. In AS, LV wall thickness and mass were significantly greater (12 ± 2 vs 11 ± 1 mm and 280 ± 60 vs 231 ± 44 g, respectively, P < 0.05), whereas ejection fractions and peak longitudinal strain ([Latin Small Letter Open E]) were significantly lower (58% ± 8% vs 63% ± 6% and -14.6% ± 2.3% vs -16.9% ± 2.2%, P < 0.05). Indices of global diastolic function were reduced in AS users (E/A, E'/A'). Some diastolic strain rates (ESR and ASR) were altered in AS users. The E/A SR ratio was reduced in the longitudinal plane as well as in the circumferential and radial plane at the basal level (P < 0.05). Basal LV E/A rotation rate was also decreased in AS users (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AS use is associated with alterations in cardiac structure and function that, allied to poor lipid profiles, represent an increased cardiovascular risk profile.
authors: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom. P.Angell@2004.ljmu.ac.uk
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: Angell
authors: Neil
authors: N
authors: Chester
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Green
authors: Rehaan
authors: R
authors: Shah
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Somauroo
authors: Greg
authors: G
authors: Whyte
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: George
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D055070:Resistance Training; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL