Abstract des Autors

Anabolic steroids use by athletes represents the most widespread form of doping at all levels of athletic competition. The purpose of the present paper is to review the available data on the effects of anabolic steroids administration in the athletes. The first part of the review focuses on the physiological and pharmacological actions of anabolic steroids and their therapeutic uses. The second part reports the epidemiology of anabolic steroids abuse among the athletes and their effects on muscle mass and athletic performance. Finally, the third part describes the undesirable effects on endocrinous system and liver, the behavioural abnormalities and the cardiovascular toxicity induced by these drugs. Verf.-Referat