Modulation of Follistatin and Myostatin Propeptide by Anabolic Steroids and Gender

S. Mosler; S. Geisler; J. Hengevoss; T. Schiffer; M. Piechotta; M. Adler; P. Diel

doi:10.1055/s-0032-1312585

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(07): 567-572
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1312585

Physiology & Biochemistry

Modulation of Follistatin and Myostatin Propeptide by Anabolic Steroids and Gender

S. Mosler

¹Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany

,

S. Geisler

²Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

,

J. Hengevoss

¹Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany

,

T. Schiffer

³Outpatient clinic for sports traumatology and public health consultation, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

,

M. Piechotta

⁴Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany

,

M. Adler

⁵Immunoanalytics, Chimera Biotec GmbH, Dortmund, Germany

,

P. Diel

¹Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the impact of training, anabolic steroids and endogenous hormones on myostatin-interacting proteins in order to identify manipulations of myostatin signalling. To identify whether analysis of the myostatin interacting proteins follistatin and myostatin propeptide is suitable to detect the abuse of anabolic steroids, their serum concentrations were monitored in untrained males, bodybuilders using anabolic steroids and natural bodybuilders. In addition, we analysed follistatin and myostatin propeptide serum proteins in females during menstrual cycle. Our results showed increased follistatin concentrations in response to anabolic steroids. Furthermore, variations of sex steroid levels during the menstrual cycle had no impact on the expression of follistatin and myostatin propetide. In addition, we identified gender differences in the basal expression of the investigated proteins. In general, follistatin and myostatin propeptide concentrations were relatively stable within the same individual both in males and females. In conclusion, the current findings provide an insight into gender differences in myostatin-interacting proteins and their regulation in response to anabolic steroids and endogenous hormones. Therefore our data provide new aspects for the development of doping prevention strategies.

Key words

anabolic steroids - doping - follistatin - immuno-PCR - myostatin - myostatin propeptide

Full Text

References

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