Abstract

This study was carried out in 40 bodybuilders voluntarily taking supraphysiological doses of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Echocardiographic examination of the heart and blood analysis were performed, and concentration of AAS in urine was examined. The presence, or absence, of AAS in urine had no influence on the echocardiographic parameters of the heart, body mass, body mass index (BMI) and aldosterone level in blood plasma. It seems, therefore, that the presence of AAS in urine may confirm heart hypertrophy and overuse of AAS, while the absence of AAS in urine does not exclude the cardiological changes occurring as a result of taking the drugs. Metabolites detected in urine showed that the intake of 17α-alkyl testosterone derivatives caused higher values of left ventricular mass and BMI. However, the level of HDL cholesterol was lower in bodybuilders using only 19-nor-testosterone. Elevated level of plasma aldosterone did not differ between the two groups. As could be expected, the highest level of AAS in urine was detected in bodybuilders currently self-administering the anabolic-androgenic steroids (on cycle). The level of AAS in the urine decreased after stopping taking the drugs (off cycle). Refraining from AAS abuse for a period of 1-2 years was associated with a significant decrease in aldosterone level in the plasma. The positive correlations found between the blood plasma aldosterone, left ventricular mass and BMI lead to the conclusion that large doses of AAS taken by bodybuilders would cause extra activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Verf.-Referat