title: Anabolic androgenic steroids reverse the beneficial effect of exercise on tendon biomechanics: an experimental study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of anabolic androgenic steroids on tendons has not yet been fully elucidated. Aim of the present study was the evaluation of the impact of anabolic androgenic steroids on the biomechanical and histological characteristics of Achilles tendons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups with exercise and anabolic steroids (nandrolone decanoate) serving as variables. Protocol duration was 12 weeks. Following euthanasia, tendons' biomechanical properties were tested with the use of a modified clamping configuration. Histological examination with light and electron microscopy were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the group of anabolic steroids and exercise the lowest fracture stress values were observed, while in the exercise group the highest ones. Histological examination by light and electron microscopy revealed areas of collagen dysplasia and an increased epitendon in the groups receiving anabolic steroids and exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that anabolic androgenic steroids reverse the beneficial effect of exercise, thus resulting in inferior maximal stress values.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research "N.S. Christeas", Athens Medical School, Agiou Thoma str. 15B, 11527 Athens, Greece; Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: serafeim.tsitsilonis@charite.de.
authors.forename: Serafim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsitsilonis
authors.forename: Panayiotis E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Chatzistergos
authors.affiliation: Unit of Biomechanics, Department of Mechanics, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15773 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Chatzistergos E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Panayiotis
authors.forename: Athanasios S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Mitousoudis
authors.affiliation: Unit of Biomechanics, Department of Mechanics, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15773 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Mitousoudis S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Athanasios
authors.forename: Stavros K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kourkoulis
authors.affiliation: Unit of Biomechanics, Department of Mechanics, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15773 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Kourkoulis K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Stavros
authors.forename: Ioannis S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Vlachos
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research "N.S. Christeas", Athens Medical School, Agiou Thoma str. 15B, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vlachos S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Ioannis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agrogiannis
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Faculty of Agricultural Biotechnology, Department of Plant Biology, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Agrogiannis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fasseas
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Pathology, University of Athens, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Fasseas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Konstantinos
authors.forename: Despina N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Perrea
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research "N.S. Christeas", Athens Medical School, Agiou Thoma str. 15B, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Perrea N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Despina
authors.forename: Aristides B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Zoubos
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Athens, Athens Medical School, "Attikon" University Hospital, Rimini str. 1, 12462 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Zoubos B
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Aristides
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003094:Collagen / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D009277:Nandrolone; D003094:Collagen; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate
keywords: Achilles tendon; Anabolic androgenic steroids; Biomechanics; Rupture