Download PDF
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Morphological Sciences 2019; 36(01): 002-006
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1681110
Original Article
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Effects of Supraphysiological Doses of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on the Left Ventricles of Male and Female Mice Submitted to Swimming

Laís Cristina Teodoro Jerônimo
1   Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
,
Priscila Franco
1   Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
,
Petrus Pires Marques
2   Departament of Morphology, Universidade José Vellano, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
,
Flávia da Ré Guerra
3   Department of Anatomy, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
,
Wagner Costa Rossi Junior
3   Department of Anatomy, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
,
Alessandra Esteves
3   Department of Anatomy, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

22 August 2018

28 January 2019

Publication Date:
01 March 2019 (online)

   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has grown into a worldwide substance abuse problem over the last decades, with the doses taken by illegal users being 10 to 100 times higher than the therapeutic ones. In the present experiment, 60 mice were divided into 3 groups of 20 animals. Group 1 received testosterone cypionate (Deposteron [EMS, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil]); group 2 received stanozolol (Stanozolol Depot, Landerlan, Lambaré, Paraguay), and group 3 received saline solution), each one composed by 10 males and 10 females, treated once a week and put to swimming thrice a week for 2 months. After euthanasia, their chests were opened, the hearts removed and processed histologically for morphometric analyses. The specimens were cut into 6 different sections and each one was measured with the help of an optical microscope with a 40-fold magnification. For such analyses, the Axiovision Rel. 4.8.2 (Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC, Peabody, MA, USA) and Axiovision 4 Module Interactive Measurement (Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC) software were used. The results showed that there was an increase in the diameter of the left ventricles in the male mice treated with Deposteron while in the female animals treated with Winstrol, there was a decrease in the left ventricular diameter in relation to the other two groups. Thus, one can conclude that the use of supraphysiological doses of the given AAS significantly alters the ventricular diameter in both male and female animals, which can cause a considerable change in both heart rate and blood pressure, and potentially induce disorders that are very relevant to the organism.

Keywords

anabolic steroids - left ventricle - mice - morphometric analysis

Financial Support

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG, in the Portuguese acronym)/UNIFAL-MG


 

  • References

  • 1 Kanayama G, Pope Jr HG. History and epidemiology of anabolic androgens in athletes and non-athletes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 464: 4-13
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Parent MC, Bradstreet TC. Sexual orientation, bullying for being labeled gay or bisexual, and steroid use among US adolescent boys. J Health Psychol 2018; 23 (04) 608-617 . Doi: 10.1177/1359105317692144
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Smurawa TM, Congeni JA. Testosterone precursors: use and abuse in pediatric athletes. Pediatr Clin North Am 2007; 54 (04) 787-796, xii . Doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2007.05.002
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Nieschlag E, Vorona E. Doping with anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS): Adverse effects on non-reproductive organs and functions. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2015; 16 (03) 199-211 . Doi: 10.1007/s11154-015-9320-5
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Marqueti RC, Paulino MG, Fernandes MN, de Oliveira EM, Selistre-de-Araujo HS. Tendon structural adaptations to load exercise are inhibited by anabolic androgenic steroids. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2014; 24 (01) e39-e51 . Doi: 10.1111/sms.12135
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Kam PC, Yarrow M. Anabolic steroid abuse: physiological and anaesthetic considerations. Anaesthesia 2005; 60 (07) 685-692 . Doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2005.04218.x
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Krieg A, Scharhag J, Albers T, Kindermann W, Urhausen A. Cardiac tissue Doppler in steroid users. Int J Sports Med 2007; 28 (08) 638-643 . Doi: 10.1055/s-2007-964848
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Urhausen A, Albers T, Kindermann W. Are the cardiac effects of anabolic steroid abuse in strength athletes reversible?. Heart 2004; 90 (05) 496-501 . Doi: 10.1136/hrt.2003.015719
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Alves DM, Silva MSO, Zavan B. , et al. Morphometric analysis of mice's ventricular myocardium submitted to androgenic anabolizing steroids use. Journal of morphological. Science 2015; 32 (01) 33-36 . Doi: 10.4322/jms.071614
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Tostes RC, Carneiro FS, Carvalho MH, Reckelhoff JF. Reactive oxygen species: players in the cardiovascular effects of testosterone. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2016; 310 (01) R1-R14 . Doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00392.2014
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Hayward CS, Kelly RP, Collins P. The roles of gender, the menopause and hormone replacement on cardiovascular function. Cardiovasc Res 2000; 46 (01) 28-49
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 D'Andrea A, Caso P, Salerno G. , et al. Left ventricular early myocardial dysfunction after chronic misuse of anabolic androgenic steroids: a Doppler myocardial and strain imaging analysis. Br J Sports Med 2007; 41 (03) 149-155 . Doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2006.03017
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Kasikcioglu E, Oflaz H, Umman B, Bugra Z. Androgenic anabolic steroids also impair right ventricular function. Int J Cardiol 2009; 134 (01) 123-125 . Doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.12.027
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Thiblin I, Lindquist O, Rajs J. Cause and manner of death among users of anabolic androgenic steroids. J Forensic Sci 2000; 45 (01) 16-23
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Barbosa Neto O, da Mota GR, De Sordi CC. , et al. Long-term anabolic steroids in male bodybuilders induce cardiovascular structural and autonomic abnormalities. Clin Auton Res 2018; 28 (02) 231-244
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Pirompol P, Teekabut V, Weerachatyanukul W, Bupha-Intr T, Wattanapermpool J. Supra-physiological dose of testosterone induces pathological cardiac hypertrophy. J Endocrinol 2016; 229 (01) 13-23
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Christakou CD, Diamanti-Kandarakis E. Role of androgen excess on metabolic aberrations and cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Womens Health (Lond) 2008; 4 (06) 583-594 . Doi: 10.2217/17455057.4.6.583
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Cho MH, Jung KJ, Jang HS, Kim JI, Park KM. Orchiectomy attenuates kidney fibrosis after ureteral obstruction by reduction of oxidative stress in mice. Am J Nephrol 2012; 35 (01) 7-16 . Doi: 10.1159/000334598
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Elnakish MT, Hassanain HH, Janssen PM, Angelos MG, Khan M. Emerging role of oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases: important role of Rac/NADPH oxidase. J Pathol 2013; 231 (03) 290-300 . Doi: 10.1002/path.4255
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Frati P, Busardò FP, Cipolloni L, Dominicis ED, Fineschi V. Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) related deaths: autoptic, histopathological and toxicological findings. Curr Neuropharmacol 2015; 13 (01) 146-159 . Doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00392.2014
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Ellis JA, Infantino T, Harrap SB. Sex-dependent association of blood pressure with oestrogen receptor genes ERalpha and ERbeta. J Hypertens 2004; 22 (06) 1127-1131
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Pedrosa DF, de Rezende LCD, Silva VI, Rangel LBA, Gonçalves WLS, Graceli JB. Efeitos benéficos do estrogênio no Sistema Cardiovascular. Revista Cientifica Perspectivas On Line. 2009; 3 (12) 190-196
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Apaijai N, Charoenphandhu N, Ittichaichareon J. , et al. Estrogen deprivation aggravates cardiac hypertrophy in nonobese Type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. Biosci Rep 2017; 37 (05) 1-10 . Doi: 10.1042/BSR20170886
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Montisci M, El Mazloum R, Cecchetto G. , et al. Anabolic androgenic steroids abuse and cardiac death in athletes: morphological and toxicological findings in four fatal cases. Forensic Sci Int 2012; 217 (1-3): e13-e18 . Doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.10.032
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Soares MCR, Abreu IC, Assenco F, Borges MOR. Decanoato de nandrolona Aumenta a Parede Ventricular Esquerda, mas Atenua o Aumento da Cavidade Provocado Pelo Treinamento de Natação em Ratos. Rev Bras Med Esporte 2011; 17 (06) 420-424 . Doi: 10.1530/JOE-15-0506
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Hayward CS, Webb CM, Collins P. Effect of sex hormones on cardiac mass. Lancet 2001; 357 (9265): 1354-1356 . Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04523-2
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Dickerman RD, Schaller F, McConathy WJ. Left ventricular wall thickening does occur in elite power athletes with or without anabolic steroid Use. Cardiology 1998; 90 (02) 145-148
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Mewis C, Spyridopoulos I, Kühlkamp V, Seipel L. Manifestation of severe coronary heart disease after anabolic drug abuse. Clin Cardiol 1996; 19 (02) 153-155 . Doi: 10.1002/clc.4960190216
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Codd MB, Sugrue DD, Gersh BJ, Melton III LJ. Epidemiology of idiopathic dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1975-1984. Circulation 1989; 80 (03) 564-572
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Albanesi Filho F. Cardiomiopatias. Arq Bras Cardiol 1998; 71 (02) 95-107
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Cecchi R, Muciaccia B, Ciallella C. , et al. Ventricular androgenic-anabolic steroid-related remodeling: an immunohistochemical study. Int J Legal Med 2017; 131 (06) 1589-1595 . Doi: 10.1007/s00414-017-1589-3
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Sinha-Hikim I, Artaza J, Woodhouse L. , et al. Testosterone-induced increase in muscle size in healthy young men is associated with muscle fiber hypertrophy. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2002; 283 (01) E154-E164
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Zaugg M, Jamali NZ, Lucchinetti E. , et al. Anabolic-androgenic steroids induce apoptotic cell death in adult rat ventricular myocytes. J Cell Physiol 2001; 187 (01) 90-95 . Doi: 10.1002/1097-4652(2001)9999:9999<00:AIDJCP1057>3.0.CO;2-Y
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar