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Anabolic steroids impair the exercise-induced growth of the cardiac capillary bed
C V Tagarakis1, W Bloch, G Hartmann
1Institute I of Anatomy, University of Cologne, Germany.
Background:
Concomitant application of anabolic-androgenic steroids and physical exercise can induce cardiac hypertrophy. These experiments investigate the still unknown response of the cardiac myocytes and capillaries to the combined influence of various anabolic steroids and muscular exercise.
Methods:
Female SPF-NMRI mice were divided into the following groups: a) sedentary control, b) exercise (treadmill running); c) sedentary receiving Dianabol; d) exercise + Dianabol; e) exercise + Oral-Turinabol. After 3 and 6 weeks the left ventricular papillary muscles were studied morphometrically. Evaluated variables: minimal myocyte diameter, number of capillaries around a single myocyte, capillary density and intercapillary distance.
Results:
Only the anabolic steroids + exercise groups showed a mild myocyte hypertrophy. In contrast, only exercise alone caused a significant increase of the capillary density after both experimental periods; e.g. capillary density after 6 weeks (capillaries/mm2, mean values +/- standard deviation, p < 0.05): control (4,272 +/- 287), exercise (5411 +/- 755), dianabol (4,004 +/- 333), dianabol + exercise (4,076 +/- 403), oral-turinabol + exercise (4,053 +/- 306). Moreover, unlike all other regimens, only exercise alone shortened the intercapillary distance. Finally, exercise without drugs induced the greatest increase in the number of capillaries around a single myocyte.
Conclusions:
Anabolic steroids combined with exercise: 1) induce mild hypertrophy of the cardiac myocytes, 2) impair the cardiac microvascular adaptation to physical conditioning. The microvascular impairment may cause a detrimental alteration of the myocardial oxygen supply, especially during muscular exercise.
Insights
Anabolic steroids with exercise cause mild cardiac myocyte growth but impair blood vessel adaptation. This combination may reduce oxygen supply to the heart during exercise.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and exercise can cause cardiac hypertrophy.
- The effects of combined AAS and exercise on cardiac myocytes and capillaries are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cardiac myocyte and capillary response to combined AAS and exercise.
- To evaluate the impact of specific AAS (Dianabol, Oral-Turinabol) with exercise on cardiac morphology.
Main Methods:
- Female mice were divided into control, exercise, AAS-only, and AAS + exercise groups.
- Treadmill exercise and oral administration of Dianabol or Oral-Turinabol were used.
- Cardiac left ventricular papillary muscles were morphometrically analyzed after 3 and 6 weeks.
Main Results:
- Mild myocyte hypertrophy occurred only in AAS + exercise groups.
- Exercise alone significantly increased capillary density and reduced intercapillary distance.
- Exercise alone maximized capillary proliferation around myocytes.
Conclusions:
- Combined AAS and exercise induce mild cardiac myocyte hypertrophy.
- AAS with exercise impair cardiac microvascular adaptation to physical training.
- This impairment may compromise myocardial oxygen supply during exertion.