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Cardiac lesions induced by testosterone: protective effects of dexrazoxane and trimetazidine
Dalila Belhani1, Laurent Fanton, Fanny Vaillant
1Laboratory of Medical Pharmacology, Claude Bernard University, Inserm ERI 22, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
Abstract:
Further to our previous observation of post-mortem cardiac lesions after sudden death in several athletes with a history of anabolic steroid abuse, this study was intended to reproduce these lesions in rabbits administered testosterone oenanthate, a prototypic anabolic steroid abused by athletes, and to provide evidence for the protective effects of trimetazidine and dexrazoxane that are used as antianginal and cardioprotective drugs, respectively. Groups of six rabbits each were administered saline, testosterone, or a combination of testosterone and either trimetazidine or dexrazoxane for 3 months. Histologic cardiac lesions including necrosis, misshapen cell nuclei, interstitial and endocardial fibrosis, lymphocytic infiltrates, and vascular dystrophies were observed in testosterone-treated rabbits. In contrast, no significant lesions were observed in the animals treated with testosterone combined with either trimetazidine or dexrazoxane. This is the first study providing evidence for testosterone cardiotoxicity following sub-chronic exposure in laboratory animals. In addition, these results suggest the protective role of trimetazidine and dexrazoxane.
Insights
Anabolic steroid abuse, specifically testosterone, causes cardiac lesions in rabbits. Cardioprotective drugs trimetazidine and dexrazoxane demonstrated protective effects against these steroid-induced heart issues.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Athletes abusing anabolic steroids, like testosterone, have shown post-mortem cardiac lesions.
- Testosterone abuse is linked to sudden cardiac death in athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reproduce anabolic steroid-induced cardiac lesions in rabbits using testosterone enanthate.
- To evaluate the cardioprotective potential of trimetazidine and dexrazoxane against testosterone cardiotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits were administered saline, testosterone enanthate, or testosterone enanthate with trimetazidine/dexrazoxane for 3 months.
- Histological examination of cardiac tissues was performed to identify lesions.
Main Results:
- Testosterone-treated rabbits exhibited cardiac lesions: necrosis, fibrosis, and vascular dystrophies.
- Co-administration of trimetazidine or dexrazoxane with testosterone prevented significant cardiac lesions.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of testosterone cardiotoxicity in a sub-chronic animal model.
- Trimetazidine and dexrazoxane show promise as protective agents against anabolic steroid-induced cardiac damage.
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