Relevant Research

[DocJ]

I'll be adding various research study abstracts in this thread and also throwing in my .02 as well.

[DocJ]

Int J Sports Med. 2007 Nov 14. [Epub ahead of print]

Side Effects of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Abuse.
Bonetti A, Tirelli F, Catapano A, Dazzi D, Dei Cas A, Solito F, Ceda G, Reverberi C, Monica C, Pipitone S, Elia G, Spattini M, Magnati G.

Department of Clinical Science, Curriculum of Sports Science and Physical Exercise, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.

Long-term side effects of high doses of anabolic androgenic steroids self-administration were evaluated in this study. Twenty male bodybuilders, voluntarily starting steroid self-administration, were followed every 6 months over 2 years. Physical examination, haematological, metabolic and endocrine variables, semen analysis, hepatic and prostate ultrasound and echocardiographic evaluations were performed. LH values (baseline 3.43 +/- 1.75) were suppressed at 18 (1.98 +/- 1.99) (p = 0.026) and 24 (2.43 +/- 2.17) (p = 0.026), and FSH (3.95 +/- 2.01) at 6 (3.01 +/- 2.16) (p = 0.031), 12 (2.45 +/- 2.54) (p = 0.029), 18 (2.02 +/- 2.29) (p = 0.032) and 24 (3.42 +/- 2.64) (p = 0.032) months and SHBG (34.11 +/- 10.88) values significantly lowered at 12 (24.81 +/- 12.49) (p < 0.05), 18 (21.28 +/- 11.15) (p < 0.01), 24 months (25.42 +/- 11.16) (p < 0.01). A significant decrease in spermatozoa count (p < 0.01), and fertility index (p = 0.01) occurred. HDL-cholesterol (baseline 56.94 +/- 13.54) was reduced at 18 (41.86 +/- 14.17) (p < 0.01) and 24 (43.82 +/- 18.67) (p < 0.05) months and Apo A-1 at 12 (p < 0.001), 18 (p = 0.05) and 24 (p = 0.05) months. The most important long-term adverse effects were lower fertility and the impairment of lipid profile associated with an increased cardiovascular risk.

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DocJ's Take: A big drawback to this study is that the dosages used weren't controlled for at all d/t the fact that the researchers can't be directly controlling a substance that the subjects are using illegally. However, essentially this study confirmed many things we already knew. Steroids have mild, short term side effects that resolve very quickly after discontinuing use. Interestingly, while they did find lower sperm counts in the BB, the sperm motility was unaffected so yes, your boys are swimming and you can get your honey knocked up while "on."

[Perfection Awaits]

Nice Post Doc. Good idea on the stickie

[g1234]

i think an interesting research subject would be SARMs, or DHT blockers..

[DocJ]

Br J Sports Med. 2004 Jun;38(3):253-9.

Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids on apolipoproteins and lipoprotein (a).
Hartgens F, Rietjens G, Keizer HA, Kuipers H, Wolffenbuttel BH.
Netherlands Centre for Doping Affairs, Capelle aan den IJssel, The Netherlands. fhartgens@home.nl
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of two different regimens of androgenic-anabolic steroid (AAS) administration on serum lipid and lipoproteins, and recovery of these variables after drug cessation, as indicators of the risk for cardiovascular disease in healthy male strength athletes. METHODS: In a non-blinded study (study 1) serum lipoproteins and lipids were assessed in 19 subjects who self administered AASs for eight or 14 weeks, and in 16 non-using volunteers. In a randomised double blind, placebo controlled design, the effects of intramuscular administration of nandrolone decanoate (200 mg/week) for eight weeks on the same variables in 16 bodybuilders were studied (study 2). Fasting serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL2-cholesterol (HDL2-C), HDL3-cholesterol (HDL3-C), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1), apolipoprotein B (Apo-B), and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) were determined. RESULTS: In study 1 AAS administration led to decreases in serum concentrations of HDL-C (from 1.08 (0.30) to 0.43 (0.22) mmol/l), HDL2-C (from 0.21 (0.18) to 0.05 (0.03) mmol/l), HDL3-C (from 0.87 (0.24) to 0.40 (0.20) mmol/l, and Apo-A1 (from 1.41 (0.27) to 0.71 (0.34) g/l), whereas Apo-B increased from 0.96 (0.13) to 1.32 (0.28) g/l. Serum Lp(a) declined from 189 (315) to 32 (63) U/l. Total cholesterol and triglycerides did not change significantly. Alterations after eight and 14 weeks of AAS administration were comparable. No changes occurred in the controls. Six weeks after AAS cessation, serum HDL-C, HDL2-C, Apo-A1, Apo-B, and Lp(a) had still not returned to baseline concentrations. Administration of AAS for 14 weeks was associated with slower recovery to pretreatment concentrations than administration for eight weeks. In study 2, nandrolone decanoate did not influence serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, HDL2-C, HDL3-C, Apo-A1, and Apo-B concentrations after four and eight weeks of intervention, nor six weeks after withdrawal. However, Lp(a) concentrations decreased significantly from 103 (68) to 65 (44) U/l in the nandrolone decanoate group, and in the placebo group a smaller reduction from 245 (245) to 201 (194) U/l was observed. Six weeks after the intervention period, Lp(a) concentrations had returned to baseline values in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Self administration of several AASs simultaneously for eight or 14 weeks produces comparable profound unfavorable effects on lipids and lipoproteins, leading to an increased atherogenic lipid profile, despite a beneficial effect on Lp(a) concentration. The changes persist after AAS withdrawal, and normalization depends on the duration of the drug abuse. Eight weeks of administration of nandrolone decanoate does not affect lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, although it may selectively reduce Lp(a) concentrations. The effect of this on atherogenesis remains to be established.

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DocJ’s Take: I didn’t see any record of what the “self administered” AAS subjects were actually taking which puts us at a slight disadvantage. Lp(a) is a very important marker in lipid profiles that is a strong indicator of how susceptible someone is to unfavorable lipid profiles. The fact that the self admin group had a crappy lipid profile but an improvement in Lp(a) is intriguing. It makes finding out what they were taking in their cycles even more important. The results from the nandrolone group aren’t surprising. The dose was low and nandrolone is a relatively safe AAS to begin with. It’s important to note that after 6 weeks the Lp(a) concentrations were back to normal which fall in line with the fact that negative effects from AAS do dissipate fairly quickly after cessation.

[Perfection Awaits]

Very interesting. Feel free to post up any non-steroid but anabolic-related articles, if u know what i mean.

[DADAWG]

Awesome Idea Doc , Thanks.

[JayC]

This is great!! Thanks Doc!

[DocJ]

Br J Sports Med. 2006 Jul;40(7):644-8. Epub 2006 Feb 17.

Homocysteine induced cardiovascular events: a consequence of long term anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse.
Graham MR, Grace FM, Boobier W, Hullin D, Kicman A, Cowan D, Davies B, Baker JS.
Department of Exercise and Health Science, School of Applied Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Wales, UK. drgraham@glam.ac.uk
OBJECTIVES: The long term effects (>20 years) of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use on plasma concentrations of homocysteine (HCY), folate, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index, urea, creatinine, haematocrit (HCT), vitamin B12, and urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio, were examined in a cohort of self-prescribing bodybuilders. METHODS: Subjects (n = 40) were divided into four distinct groups: (1) AAS users still using AAS (SU; n = 10); (2) AAS users abstinent from AAS administration for 3 months (SA; n = 10); (3) non-drug using bodybuilding controls (BC; n = 10); and (4) sedentary male controls (SC; n = 10). RESULTS: HCY levels were significantly higher in SU compared with BC and SC (p<0.01), and with SA (p<0.05). Fat free mass was significantly higher in both groups of AAS users (p<0.01). Daily energy intake (kJ) and daily protein intake (g/day) were significantly higher in SU and SA (p<0.05) compared with BC and SC, but were unlikely to be responsible for the observed HCY increases. HCT concentrations were significantly higher in the SU group (p<0.01). A significant linear inverse relationship was observed in the SU group between SHBG and HCY (r = -0.828, p<0.01), indicating a possible influence of the sex hormones in determining HCY levels. CONCLUSIONS: With mounting evidence linking AAS to adverse effects on some clotting factors, the significantly higher levels of HCY and HCT observed in the SU group suggest long term AAS users have increased risk of future thromboembolic events.

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DocJ’s Take: Again, we're not clued into the doses/types of AAS being used here. Not a lot of surprises but for the love of God! Just shove some B-complex vitamins in these dudes during their cycle! Homocysteine levels can be controlled fairly quickly by this simple intervention.

[camacho]

what is the latest on SARMS? any specific chem and trade names or still in development?

[JACKDAROIDER]

INFORMATION PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW.
The government is now basing igf-1, igf-2 etc. with toxic salts that cause liver , kidney , and cancerous tumors ALL peptides should not be in a salt base but an acidic base. Most of these companies are not getting information from PHD -researchers. You need to know this!!!! it is a gfact thesether guy dont seem to know. For human use it cannot be based in this certain type of toxic salt which they are basing it in. Be careful. If you are skeptical ask a real peptide company. They will tell you out of their own mouths. Toxicity sides are the runs, nausia, vomiting consistantly, overall feeling of bad, heat flashes, and sometime hypoglacemia. Evey few days....etc It is to detour human use from the governement not wanting people abusing these items. SO I guess the US hates us so much from buying for cattle, that since they cannot change the laws they will try to kill you instead. You must custom synthesize all peptides for non toxicity. I know a lot of JOE BLOCKHEAD companies that are not aware of this.
Furthermore, this came from a PHD chemist who is dealing with reaserach on GHRP-6 all the time. ANYONE SALING THE DLYS GHRP6 has no knowledge. It is not compatible in the human body for subject testing for grants. Why, it will not work in the human body. Stated by National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Just because something works in a petrie dish under a microscope does not mean the human body will react or work the same....example is the supplement Chrysin. Under a microscope it shows unbelievable anti-estrogen properties. As soon as it entered in the human body it does nothing. I did go to college for this business, and I wish I would not be associated with these bodybuilding know it alls. Be careful these guys may get you sick.

Take care.....order away. ALL PEPTIDES ARE SYNTHESIZED NON TOXIC FOR YOU CONVENIENCE AND RESEARCH.

Please order away all problems are fixed.
Dave

Dave

[DocJ]

Life Sci. 2001 Mar 2;68(15):1769-74.

Effect of androgenic anabolic steroids on sperm quality and serum hormone levels in adult male bodybuilders.
Torres-Calleja J, González-Unzaga M, DeCelis-Carrillo R, Calzada-Sánchez L, Pedrón N.
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, DF.
The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the administration of high doses of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) on endocrine and semen parameters. Thirty volunteering bodybuilders were studied (ages ranging between 26.6 +/- 4.1 years). A history of anabolic steroid administration was recorded for fifteen subjects, and results of semen analysis and endocrine parameters were compared with data from fifteen bodybuilders not using steroids. In those subjects using AAS, eight had sperm counts under the lower normal limit (20 x 10(6) sperm/ml), three had azoospermia, two polyzoospermia, and two had normal sperm counts. The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was significantly reduced, only 17.7% had normal spermatozoa. In the control group, only one subject had oligozoospermia. The hormonal parameters revealed reduced FSH (1.5 +/- 3.2 vs 5.0 +/- 1.6, p < 0.001) and PRL (5.1 +/- 4.9 vs 9.2 +/- 4.4, p < 0.01) levels. LH, T, E2 and DHEA levels did not vary.

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DocJ’s Take: Can you get your woman pregnant while on cycle? Yes. Is the likelihood greatly reduced? Yes.

[DocJ]

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2003 Feb;84(2-3):369-75.

Reversibility of the effects on blood cells, lipids, liver function and hormones in former anabolic-androgenic steroid abusers.
Urhausen A, Torsten A, Wilfried K.
Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, University of Saarland, Germany. a.urhausen@rz.uni-sb.de
BACKGROUND: In contrast to the acute effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse, the long-term risk profile of former long-term abusers (ExA) is less clear. METHODS: Blood parameters of 32 male bodybuilders and powerlifters were studied. Fifteen ExA had not been abusing AAS for at least 12-43 months on average (mean dosage 700 mg for 26 weeks per year over 9 years), 17 athletes (A) were still abusing AAS (750 mg for 33 weeks per 8 years). FINDINGS: Hemoglobin (+5%), leucocytes (+33%) and platelets (+38%) were significantly higher in A. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were higher, cholinesterase activity (CHE) lower in A (65+/-55, 38+/-27 and 3719+/-1528U/l) compared to ExA (24+/-10, 18+/-11 and 6345+/-975U/l; each P<0.001) with normal values for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and bilirubin. ALT, AST and CHE correlated significantly with the extent (duration and weekly dosage, expressed as a point score) of AAS abuse in A (r=0.68, 0.57 and -0.62; each P<0.01). Total and LDL-cholesterol were similar, HDL-cholesterol was distinctly lower in A than in ExA (17+/-11 and 43+/-11 mg/dl; P<0.001) and correlated negatively with the extent of AAS abuse (r=-0.50; P<0.05). Testosterone and estradiol were significantly higher, while LH, FSH and the sexual-hormone-binding (SHB) protein were lower in A than in ExA (each P<0.001). Two ExA had testosterone levels below the normal range. INTERPRETATION: The alterations in cell counts, HDL-cholesterol, liver function and most hormones of the pituitary-testicular axis induced by a long-term abuse of AAS were reversible after stopping the medication for over 1 year. In some ExA, an increased ALT activity and a depressed testosterone synthesis were found.

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DocJ’s Take: “Abusers” is obviously subjective here but we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. Bottom line is that the body recovers from the short term side effects of cycling even with long term use. However, I believe it’s safe to assume that this is dose and time dependent, this isn’t an excuse to be reckless.

[gator_mclusky]

Interesting stuff and great idea Doc!

gator