Abstract
Anabolic – androgenic steroids (AAS) were originally developed to promote growth of skeletal muscle. AAS abuse is commonly associated with bodybuilders, weightlifters, and other athletes. The issue of AAS toxicity is not yet completely understood since the adverse effects outline a varied scenario with side effects reported affecting many organs and systems in humans. The true incidence of AAS related medical problems is not known, due to several drawbacks in human studies. The entity of side effects depends on the sex, the dose, the duration of treatment, whether they are taken during exercise training or under sedentary conditions, and the susceptibility of the individuals themselves to androgen exposure partly depending on genetic factors. Both the acute and the chronic effects can lead to toxicity, but generally the serious and even fatal effects depend on the time and the duration of AAS administration. A limitation of human studies is represented by the fact that information about the intake of steroids are, generally, self reported and it is hardly possible to assess the exact dosage. AAS are often used in combination with other dugs or substances, so it is difficult to separate their toxic effects from those caused by the other drugs abused. Hence experimental studies conducted on animal models are mandatory to investigate the mechanisms underlying to AAS toxicity and the organ alterations due to these substances. Finally, clinicians should be aware of the complex and varied pattern of toxicity so as to be able to perform correct diagnoses and treatments.
Keywords: Abuse, anabolic androgenic steroids, mechanisms, side effects, toxicity, AAS, skeletal muscle, AAS toxicity, dosage, organ alterations, genetic factors
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Side Effects of AAS Abuse: An Overview
Volume: 11 Issue: 5
Author(s): E. Turillazzi, G. Perilli, M. Di Paolo, M. Neri, I. Riezzo and V. Fineschi
Affiliation:
Keywords: Abuse, anabolic androgenic steroids, mechanisms, side effects, toxicity, AAS, skeletal muscle, AAS toxicity, dosage, organ alterations, genetic factors
Abstract: Anabolic – androgenic steroids (AAS) were originally developed to promote growth of skeletal muscle. AAS abuse is commonly associated with bodybuilders, weightlifters, and other athletes. The issue of AAS toxicity is not yet completely understood since the adverse effects outline a varied scenario with side effects reported affecting many organs and systems in humans. The true incidence of AAS related medical problems is not known, due to several drawbacks in human studies. The entity of side effects depends on the sex, the dose, the duration of treatment, whether they are taken during exercise training or under sedentary conditions, and the susceptibility of the individuals themselves to androgen exposure partly depending on genetic factors. Both the acute and the chronic effects can lead to toxicity, but generally the serious and even fatal effects depend on the time and the duration of AAS administration. A limitation of human studies is represented by the fact that information about the intake of steroids are, generally, self reported and it is hardly possible to assess the exact dosage. AAS are often used in combination with other dugs or substances, so it is difficult to separate their toxic effects from those caused by the other drugs abused. Hence experimental studies conducted on animal models are mandatory to investigate the mechanisms underlying to AAS toxicity and the organ alterations due to these substances. Finally, clinicians should be aware of the complex and varied pattern of toxicity so as to be able to perform correct diagnoses and treatments.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Turillazzi E., Perilli G., Di Paolo M., Neri M., Riezzo I. and Fineschi V., Side Effects of AAS Abuse: An Overview, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 11 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955711795445925
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955711795445925 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Bioprospecting of Natural Products as Sources of New Multitarget Therapies
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical and other applications. Bioprospecting involves searching for useful organic compounds in plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Natural products traditionally constituted the primary source of more than ...read more
Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
The thematic issue "Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a robust platform for delving into state-of-the-art computational methodologies and technologies that significantly propel advancements in medicinal chemistry. This edition seeks to amalgamate top-tier reviews spotlighting the latest trends and breakthroughs in the fusion of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) ...read more
Mitochondria as a Therapeutic Target in Metabolic Disorders
Mitochondria are the primary site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in mammalian cells. Moreover, these organelles are an important source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in virtually any nucleated cell type. The modulation of a myriad of cellular signaling pathways depends on the mitochondrial physiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed ...read more
Natural Products and Dietary Supplements in Alleviation of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Disorders
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer etc, cardiovascular disorders like angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure etc as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer?s, Parkinson?s, Epilepsy, Depression, etc are the global burden. They covered the major segment of the diseases and disorders from which the human community ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Protective Effects of Curcumin against Iron-induced Toxicity
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Surgical Ventricular Restoration to Reverse Left Ventricular Remodeling
Current Cardiology Reviews Sirtuins and Resveratrol-Derived Compounds: A Model for Understanding the Beneficial Effects of the Mediterranean Diet
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The Two Faces of Iminoalditols: Powerful Inhibitors Trigger Glycosidase Activation
Current Enzyme Inhibition Editorial (Thematic Issue: Mechanistic Biomarkers: The Field for the Development of Non-Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Approaches to Diagnostics, Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Dynamic Expression of MicroRNAs (183, 135a, 125b, 128, 30c and 27a) in the Rat Pilocarpine Model and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Pompe Disease and Autophagy: Partners in Crime, or Cause and Consequence?
Current Medicinal Chemistry Chemotherapy and Targeted Agents for Elderly Women with Advanced Breast Cancer
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery The Association Between HIV/AIDS During Pregnancy and Fetal Growth Parameters in Florida: A Population Based Study
Current HIV Research Hemodynamic Assessment and In vivo Catabolism of Adenosine 5’-triphosphate in Doxorubicin or Isoproterenol-induced Cardiovascular Toxicity
Drug Metabolism Letters ErbB4 and its Isoforms: Patentable Drug Targets?
Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Thalassemia Patients with Heart Failure
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets CD36 and Intestinal Fatty Acid Absorption
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Is the Vascular System a Main Target for Thyroid Hormones? From Molecular and Biochemical Findings to Clinical Perspectives
Current Vascular Pharmacology Genetics and Heart Failure: A Concise Guide for the Clinician
Current Cardiology Reviews Selenium Deficiency in Soils and Crops and its Impact on Animal and Human Health
Current Nutrition & Food Science Stem Cell Therapy in Heart Diseases: A Review of Selected New Perspectives,Practical Considerations and Clinical Applications
Current Cardiology Reviews Aldosterone Receptor Antagonists and Cardiovascular Disease: Do We Need a Change of the Guard?
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Drugs as Possible Triggers of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Literature Search - Update 2015
Current Clinical Pharmacology Crude Venom from Nematocysts of the Jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca as a Tool to Study Cell Physiology
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry