Deleterious Effects of Anabolic Steroids on Serum Lipoproteins, Blood Pressure, and Liver Function in Amateur Body Builders

Abstract

The effects of self-administered anabolic steroids (AS) on lipoproteins, liver function, and blood pressure were studied in male amateur body builders. Twenty body builders were studied at the end of a course of AS (group 1) and 42 body builders were studied after discontinuation of the AS for a mean of 5 months (group 2). Sixteen body builders were studied after discontinuation of AS for at least 2 months and at the end of a 9-week course of AS (group 3). A group of 13 body builders who never used AS served as a control group. Both groups 1 and 2 showed higher levels of transaminas and a higher systolic blood pressure than the controls (P < 0.05). Group 3 showed an increase of the transaminases an a slight but significant increase of systolic blood pressure (+3 mm Hg) and heart rate (+7 bts/min) after one course of AS (P < 0.05). Group 1 showed a considerably lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) (P < 0.001), a higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) (P < 0.05), and a lower apoprotein A-l/B ratio (Apo A-l/ApoB) (P < 0.001) than the controls and group 2. The ratio of LDLC/HDLC in group 1 was fourfold higher than in the controls (P < 0.01). In group 3 HDLC decreased from 1.18±0.05 to 0.60+0.08 mmol/l (P < 0.001) and LDLC increased from 3.97±0.39 to 5.74±0.71 mmol/l (P < 0.01). The LDLC/HDLC ratio increased from 3.6±0.5 to 15.8±4.0 (P < 0.01) and the ApoA-l/ApoB ratio decreased from 1.42±0.11 to 0.66±0.15 after one course of AS. These profound adverse effects of AS on blood pressure, lipid, and liver metabolism in amateur body builders suggest a seriously increased long-term risk for premature atherogenesis and hepatotoxicity in amateur athletes using AS.

Key words

anabolic steroids - side effects - body building