| Abstract: |
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are man-made derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone, originally designed for therapeutic uses to provide higher anabolic potency with lower androgenic effects. Increasing numbers of young athletes are using these agents illicitly to enhance physical fitness, appearance, and performance despite their numerous side effects and worldwide banning. Today, their use remains one of the main health problems in sports because of their availability and low price. The present study focused on investigating the adverse effects of anabolic androgenic steroid abuse on serum sex hormones, liver and renal function tests, fasting glucose levels, and lipid metabolism in Libyan male recreational bodybuilders. We have recruited fifteen (15) male bodybuilders (age 19-32 years) and an equal number of healthy non-obese, non-AAS-using sedentary controls. Serum sex hormones {luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone, and prolactin (PRL)}, liver function indices {serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin}, renal function parameters (serum creatinine and urea), lipid profile {total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)}, and serum glucose levels were measured. Abuse of AAS was associated with significant decreases (p<0.005) in serum levels of LH (66.9%), FSH (49.8%), and testosterone (63.7%) together with significant increases (p<0.05) in PRL concentrations (49.8%) in AAS-using bodybuilders compared to sedentary controls. AAS-using athletes had significantly higher (p<0.05) circulating levels of total bilirubin (116.3%), direct bilirubin (127.6%), aspartate (1752.9%) and alanine (263.1%) transaminases than those of sedentary control subjects. Serum ALP levels were not significantly different (p>0.05) between the two groups. Concerning renal functions, AAS-using athletes had significantly higher serum concentrations of creatinine (28.6%) and urea (21.3%) than sedentary controls. Meanwhile, AAS abuse was accompanied by atherogenic lipid profile. AAS-using athletes had significantly higher (p<0.05) serum levels of TG (45.6%), LDL-C (26.0%), and VLDL-C (45.6%) together with significantly lower serum concentrations of HDL-C (31.3%) than sedentary controls. Serum TC and fasting glucose concentrations were not significantly different (p>0.05) between the two groups. The results presented in the study confirm that abuse of AAS induces unfavorable body functions and undesirable side effects. Therefore, efforts should be sought against use of these compounds outside the therapeutic frame. |
