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Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in rats chronically treated with anabolic steroid
Pedro P Pereira-Junior1, Elen A Chaves, Ricardo H Costa-E-Sousa
1Laboratório de Eletrofisiologia Cardíaca Antonio Paes de Carvalho, Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, CCS, Bloco G, Ilha do Fundao, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|December 14, 2005
Summary
Chronic nandrolone decanoate (DECA) administration in rats significantly impairs cardiac autonomic regulation. This anabolic steroid use reduces parasympathetic activity, potentially increasing arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Physiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Limited data exist on anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) effects on cardiac autonomic control.
- Supraphysiological doses of AAS are used for performance enhancement.
- Cardiac autonomic dysfunction is linked to adverse cardiovascular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of chronic high-dose nandrolone decanoate (DECA) on cardiac autonomic regulation.
- To evaluate changes in heart rate variability (HRV) following DECA treatment in rats.
- To explore potential mechanisms for AAS-induced cardiac complications.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats received weekly injections of DECA (10 mg/kg) or vehicle for 10 weeks.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded at week 8 during conscious state.
- Time- and frequency-domain HRV analysis was performed using power spectral analysis.
Main Results:
- DECA treatment significantly reduced parasympathetic indexes, including high-frequency power, RMSSD, and pNN5.
- The LF/HF ratio, an index of sympathovagal balance, showed a trend towards increase in the DECA group.
- These findings indicate a shift towards sympathetic dominance and reduced parasympathetic tone.
Conclusions:
- Chronic supraphysiological nandrolone decanoate administration impairs tonic cardiac autonomic regulation in rats.
- Reduced parasympathetic activity and potential sympathetic overactivity may underlie AAS-induced arrhythmias.
- This autonomic dysfunction could be a key mechanism for sudden cardiac death associated with anabolic steroid abuse.
