title: Doping with anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS): Adverse effects on non-reproductive organs and functions.
abstract: Since the 1970s anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) have been abused at ever increasing rates in competitive athletics, in recreational sports and in bodybuilding. Exceedingly high doses are often consumed over long periods, in particular by bodybuilders, causing acute or chronic adverse side effects frequently complicated by additional polypharmacy. This review summarizes side effects on non-reproductive organs and functions; effects on male and female reproduction have been recently reviewed in a parallel paper. Among the most striking AAS side effects are increases in haematocrit and coagulation causing thromboembolism, intracardiac thrombosis and stroke as well as other cardiac disturbances including arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies and possibly sudden death. 17α-alkylated AAS are liver toxic leading to cholestasis, peliosis, adenomas and carcinomas. Hyperbilirubinaemia can cause cholemic nephrosis and kidney failure. AAS abuse may induce exaggerated self-confidence, reckless behavior, aggressiveness and psychotic symptoms. AAS withdrawal may be accompanied by depression and suicidal intentions. Since AAS abuse is not or only reluctantly admitted physicians should be aware of the multitude of serious side effects when confronted with unclear symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany. eberhard.nieschlag@ukmuenster.de.|Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. eberhard.nieschlag@ukmuenster.de.
authors.forename: Eberhard
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1403-3298
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nieschlag
authors.affiliation: Centre of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Rheumatology, Dortmund, Germany.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vorona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056352:Athletes; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D004300:Doping in Sports; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000187:drug effects; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens
keywords: Adverse effects; Aggression; Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS); Cardiomyopathies; Depression; Hepatotoxicity; Performance and appearance enhancing drugs (PAED); Stroke