title: Increased atherothrombotic markers and endothelial dysfunction in steroid users.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) may be associated with changes in atherothrombotic markers and endothelial function. The purpose of this study was to compare atherothrombotic markers and endothelial function of AAS users and non-users.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten athletes who were users of AAS (confirmed by urine analysis) and 12 non-user athletes were evaluated. Body weight, blood pressure, exercise load (hours/week), complete blood count (CBC), platelets, fibrinogen, lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone and estradiol were measured. Endothelium-dependent and independent functions were assessed by brachial artery ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AAS users had higher body mass and blood pressure (p < 0.05). Platelet count was higher whereas HDL-cholesterol was lower in AAS users compared with non-users (p < 0.05). Levels of hs-CRP were higher in AAS users (p < 0.001). Follicle-stimulating hormone was suppressed in all users and not suppressed in non-users (p < 0.001). Compared with non-users, flow-mediated dilation was significantly reduced in AAS users (p = 0.03), whereas endothelium-independent function was similar in both groups. Additionally, flow-mediated dilation was positively associated with levels of HDL- cholesterol (r = 0.49, p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AAS users present important changes in blood lipids as well as in inflammatory markers, which are compatible with increased cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, this profile is accompanied by a reduction in the endothelial function.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Pathophysiology Research Laboratory (LaFiEx) and Cardiology Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cátia B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Severo
authors.forename: Jorge P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Umpierre
authors.forename: Anderson D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Da Silveira
authors.forename: Monica C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Padilha
authors.forename: Franciso R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: De Aquino Neto
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004300:Doping in Sports; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D012307:Risk Factors; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016482:Urinalysis; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D013256:Steroids