Endocrine Abstracts

Backround: Androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) are reported to increase cardiovascular risk by causing adverse changes in lipid profiles, impaired glucose tolerance, hyperhomocystinaemia and hypertension. Recent studies have also suggested impaired vascular reactivity in this group.
Aim: To assess cardiovascular risk factors and arterial stiffness in AAS using and non-steroid using male bodybuilders and to compare them with healthy controls.
Methods: Studies were conducted on 7 bodybuilders currently using AAS, 5 bodybuilders within a 3 month 'wash out' period from AAS, 6 bodybuilders denying use of AAS and 8 sedentary controls. Lipid function, glucose, haematocrit and prothrombotic factors were measured in each subject in addition to sex hormone profiles. Arterial stiffness and central arterial compliance was analysed with pulse wave analysis using the Sphygmocor apparatus. Inhaled salbutamol and GTN were used to assess endothelial dependent and independent vasodilatation respectively.
Results: A significant difference in HDL and in the LDL/HDL ratio (p<0.01) occurred in the study group when data was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis multi comparison test. The lowest median level of HDL and rise in LDL/HDL ratio being seen in the AAS group. A significant difference in testosterone, oestrogen and haematocrit levels (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.01) were also observed, with the highest median levels present in the AAS using subjects. No significant differences in oxidised LDL, factor VIII, vWF or glucose levels were detected. Despite the absence of differences in baseline Sphygmocor readings between the four groups, subjects using AAS had significantly impaired responses to GTN when compared to sedentary controls (p<0.01, Mann-Whitney test).
Conclusion: Bodybuilders using androgenic anabolic compounds have atherogenic lipid profiles as previously demonstrated. Impairment of GTN induced reactivity in this group suggests increased vascular stiffness, a possible consequence of smooth muscle nitric oxide resistance.