Impaired HDL and Coronary Artery Disease in Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Users

Diminished Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux Mediated by HDL and Coronary Artery Disease in Young Male Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Users

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The illicit use of these substances also leads to a remarkable decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) plasma concentration, which could be a key factor in the atherosclerotic process. The investigators tested the functionality of HDL by cholesterol efflux and antioxidant capacity and its association with CAD in young men.

Twenty strength-trained AAS users (AASU) age 29±5 yr, 20 age-matched strength-trained AAS nonusers (AASNU), and 10 sedentary controls (SC) were enrolled.

HDL concentration and functionality by measuring the 14C-cholesterol efflux mediated by HDL and the ability of HDL in inhibiting LDL oxidation were evaluated.

Coronary artery was evaluated with coronary computed tomography angiography.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Anabolic androgenic steroids users and Anabolic androgenic steroids nonusers groups had been involved in strength training for at least 2 years;
• Anabolic androgenic steroids users should be self-administering anabolic androgenic steroids in periodic cycles lasting from 8 to 12 weeks for at least 2 years with 2-4 cycles per year;
• All anabolic androgenic steroids users were on a cycle over the course of the study;
• Sedentary control group: sedentary men without cardiovascular disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smoking;
• Alcohol consumption;
• Use of diuretics and/or antihypertensive medications;
• Liver and kidney disease