Impaired vasoreactivity in bodybuilders using androgenic anabolic steroids

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Sports Medicine
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are performance-enhancing drugs used by some bodybuilders.
• AAS use is linked to adverse cardiovascular events, including sudden death and cerebrovascular events.
• The precise cardiovascular implications of supraphysiological androgen levels require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of AAS abuse on vascular function and cardiovascular risk factors in male bodybuilders.
• To compare vascular stiffness and reactivity in active AAS users, former users, non-users, and sedentary controls.

Main Methods:

• Vascular stiffness and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 28 male bodybuilders and 10 sedentary controls.
• Subjects were divided into four groups: active AAS users (Group A), post-washout AAS users (Group B), non-users (Group C), and controls (Group D).
• Pulse-wave analysis was employed to measure vascular stiffness and reactivity.

Main Results:

• Endothelial-independent vasodilation was significantly impaired in active AAS users (Group A) compared to all other groups.
• No significant differences in endothelial-dependent vasodilation were observed between the groups.
• Vascular reactivity in Group A was markedly reduced (5.63%) compared to Groups B (11.10%), C (17.88%), and D (14.46%).

Conclusions:

• AAS use is associated with impaired vascular reactivity, specifically endothelial-independent dilation.
• Vascular changes in bodybuilders may be partly independent of AAS use, potentially due to smooth muscle hypertrophy and increased vascular stiffness.
• Discontinuation of AAS may lead to improvements in vascular function.