Abstract
The effect of androgenic steroids on plasma lipids was studied in seven power athletes
who self-administered androgenic steroids on the average 45 mg/day during an 8-week
strength training period. At the begining of the study, no significant differences
were noticed in HDL-cholesterol levels between the steroid users and the controls.
After 8 weeks of strength training, the androgen users had reduced the HDL-cholesterol
by 54% (from 1.47 to 0.67 mmol/l). The difference when compared to controls was highly
significant (P < 0.001). It was concluded that the use of androgenic steroids combined with strength
training decreases serum HDL-cholesterol and thus may cause a higher risk for coronary
heart disease.
Key words
strength training - HDL-cholesterol - androgenic steroids
