Relevant Research

[DocJ]

Int J Sports Med. 1996 Aug;17(6):429-33.

Body composition, cardiovascular risk factors and liver function in long-term androgenic-anabolic steroids using bodybuilders three months after drug withdrawal.

Hartgens F, Kuipers H, Wijnen JA, Keizer HA.
Netherlands Centre for Doping Affairs (NeCeDo), Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The purpose of this study was to investigate in a cross-sectional design body composition, muscle fiber characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors and liver enzymes in long-term androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) using bodybuilders three months after drug withdrawal (AAS group; n = 16) and in non-users (CO group; n = 12). Training and dietary data were collected in all subjects. Anthropometry included weight, height, 8 skinfolds and 11 circumferences. Percentage fat (%FAT), fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) were calculated. In a muscle biopsy from the vastus lateralis muscle water content, fiber type distribution and diameters of fiber type I and type II were determined. Age, height, training characteristics, nutrition, skinfolds, %FAT and FM did not differ between the groups. The Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) group had greater BW and LBM, and larger circumferences of thorax, waist, upper arm and thigh than the CO group. Muscle biopsy data were comparable, except for muscle fiber diameter of type I which was larger in the Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) group. No differences in serum values of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, nor in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed. In both groups serum alkaline phosphatase and gamma GT were within the normal range. This study suggests that in long term Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) using body-builders, after a three months Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) free period, BW is greater than in non drug users. This is reflected in larger LBM, circumferences and diameter of muscle fiber type I. In addition, no differences in fat mass, blood pressure, lipoprotein profiles and liver enzymes exist between Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) users three months after interrupted drug use and their non drug using counterparts.

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DocJ’s Take: Small number involved in the study but that’s what you get with research in this area. This just supports the idea of taking enough time off between cycles.

 

[DocJ]

Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2008 Jan;46(1):57-66.

Multivitamins and phospholipids complex protects the hepatic cells from androgenic-anabolic-steroids-induced toxicity.

Pagonis TA, Koukoulis GN, Hadjichristodoulou CS, Toli PN, Angelopoulos NV.
Department of Endocrinology, Thessaly University Medical School, Larissa, Greece. tpsportmed@the.forthnet.gr
INTRODUCTION. Androgenic-anabolic-steroids (AAS)-induced hepatotoxicity typically occurs with C-17 alkylated oral agents abused by exercising individuals at clinically recommended doses. Injectable compounds appear to have the same risk for hepatotoxicity, but are applied in doses three to six times higher than clinically recommended. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) users occasionally try to avoid the well-known hepatotoxic effects associated with the abuse of a multitude of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) agents, by using the pharmaceutical agent compound N a phospholipid/vitamin preparation. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE. The investigation of the actual hepatoprotective effect of compound N against AAS-induced toxicity. METHODOLOGY. This was an observational cohort study of 320 athletes; 160 were Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) users and the other 160 were not abusing any substances. Of the 160 users, 44 were using Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) and compound N (group A), and 116 were using solely Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) (group B). The 160 athletes abstaining from substances abuse acted as controls (group C). All athletes were tested for alterations in serum levels of hepatic enzymes. Enzyme levels before the study's onset and after the end of the 8-week Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) regimes were compared among the three groups, in order to delineate the hepatoprotective effect of compound N. RESULTS. Prior to our research all groups showed normal values in all enzymes except creatine kinase (CK). After the 8-week period, CK levels were slightly lower in group A, but without variation in Groups B and C; -Glutamyl Transferase (GT) levels remained normal. Groups A and C had no elevations in any of the enzymes, except CK, while in group B all enzymes' values were elevated above the normal range. The only factor differentiating Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) users in group A from those in group B was the use of compound N, thus the results being suggestive of the compound's detoxification effect. The severity of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) abuse was positively associated with the degree of changes ( values) in all measured enzymes except GT and CK. CONCLUSIONS. Previous suggestions that serum hepatic enzyme elevations in exercising Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) abusers are connected to muscle fiber damage rather than the abuse itself, are contradicted by our results. Since all Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) abusing athletes were prone to exhibit elevations in enzymes' values, the mean values of group A were to be similar to those observed in group B, exceeding normal values. The group hepatic enzyme values of group B were significantly higher than the group C (control). Notably, group A did not have any statistically significant difference in the hepatic enzyme values compared to group C. The effect of exercise on these enzymes' elevations was ruled out by the comparability of training regimens and Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) toxicity was correlated to the severity of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) abuse.

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DocJ’s Take: Simple, take liver “protector” supplements if you’re using oral AAS. They work.

 

[DocJ]

Fertil Steril. 1989 Dec;52(6):1041-7.

Anabolic steroids and semen parameters in bodybuilders.

Knuth UA, Maniera H, Nieschlag E.

Max Planck Clinical Research Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Münster, Federal Republic of Germany.
The influence of high-dose anabolic steroid administration on endocrine and semen parameters of 41 bodybuilders (age, 26.7 +/- 0.7 years [mean +/- SEM]; height, 182 +/- 1 cm; weight, 97.5 +/- 2.0 kg) was investigated. History of anabolic steroid administration was recorded retrospectively, and results of semen analysis were compared with data from 41 consecutively recruited normal volunteers not using any steroids or other drugs. Doses of anabolic steroids taken by bodybuilders exceeded those generally applied for clinical purposes by up to 40-fold. Although only 5 of the normal volunteers had sperm counts below the lower normal limit of 20 x 10(6) sperm/mL, 24 of the bodybuilders showed subnormal values. Depending on the duration of anabolic steroid use and the period since last drug intake before the investigation, percentages of motile and normally formed sperm were significantly reduced in bodybuilders compared with normal volunteers. In those bodybuilders who had stopped consumption of anabolic steroids greater than 4 months previously, sperm numbers were in the normal range. Results suggest that even after prolonged use of extremely high doses of anabolic steroids, sperm production may return to normal.
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DocJ’s take: Research has always showed that even AAS users who don’t use PCT recover their sperm count and motility eventually. All the better to use PCT so your body has an easy time recovering.

 

[MrMEX]

Thanks DocJ, this is good info. I specially like the last abstract (fertil steril)

 

[jrock817]

great articles... as with you it worries me that CRP levels are raised, as well as the concentric LVH. Concentric LVH is due to pressure overload on the heart, and with the "stiffening" of the arteries and higher lipid profiles together can be a lethal combination for someone who may be high risk for CV disease and not realize it. its amazing how you find these articles, ive been searching for years for actual studies performed to no avail, thanks again!

 

[DocJ]

Blood pressure and rate pressure product response in males using high-dose anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS).

Grace F, Sculthorpe N, Baker J, Davies B.
Centre for Ergogenic Drugs Research, School of Applied Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontyridd, Wales, UK.

The literature regarding the blood pressure response to AAS use is equivocal. In addition, there is currently little data available on the Rate Pressure Product (RPP) response to anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) use. The experimental aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AAS administration in combination with resistance training on blood pressure and rate pressure product in male amateur bodybuilders and compare the results with a morphologically matched, resistance trained control group. Subjects were divided into two groups (n=16 AAS users; n=16 controls). Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure, RPP. Resting Heart Rate and Body Composition measurements were obtained before (Pre), during (During) and 6-8 weeks following (Post) the AAS cycle in the AAS users with similar time intervals for the control group. No significant cardiovascular or morphological changes in the control group were found throughout the study. Significant increases in both diastolic (P<0.01) and mean arterial blood pressures (P<0.05) were found from Pre to Post cycle in the AAS group. RPP also increased significantly (P<0.01) from pre to post AAS cycle. All cardiovascular parameters returned to normal baseline measurements between 6 and 8 weeks post cycle. No blood pressure measurements throughout the study were consistent with clinically defined hypertension. The findings indicate that the AAS group exhibited significant increases in standard cardiovascular measurements compared with the control bodybuilders, and provides a contraindication to AAS use especially in borderline hypertensives.
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DocJ’s Take: Bottom line is, if you have high blood pressure already you probably shouldn’t cycle AAS or if you do keep the cycles mild and monitor your pressure closely.

 

[HUNG4RY4N]

Thank you for the great posts DocJ

 

[DocJ]

its amazing how you find these articles, ive been searching for years for actual studies performed to no avail, thanks again!

Here's a good place to start: PubMed Home