Anabolic Steroids

By: Nicole LaferriereAmy FergusonKelly Bolling

Outline• Introduction• History• Who Uses Steroids• Uses• How they are Obtained• How they are Taken• Mechanism• Dose• Side Effects• Intoxication• Addiction/Withdrawl• Impact on Society• Summary• Future Implications/Research Needed• Sources

Intro

• We chose this topic because it is currently a big issue in society, and there is little knowledge of long-term effects. This presentation will educate the viewer of basic androgenic anabolic steroid (A.K.A. anabolic steroid) information.

Intro

Natural Anabolic Hormone Testosterone

Synthetic Steroid Methandrostenolone

• One extra double bond and an extra methyl group

Types of Steroids

• Two Properties:– Anabolic: tissue building– Androgenic: sex-linked, responsible for male traits

(i.e. facial hair, deeper voice, etc)

Street Names

• Arnolds• Gym Candy• Pumpers• Roids• Stackers• Weight Trainers• Juice

History

• Before 1930’s: Used to treat men with inefficient levels of testosterone for growth

• WWII: Used to treat malnourishment of soldiers

• 1936: Testosterone is the first anabolic steroid ever created

• 1956: Used for Olympics performance

History

• Dr. Zeigler created selective form of what is now known as anabolic steroids after 1956 Olympics

• 1975: Olympic committee bands steroids use • 1990: Congress passes Anabolic Steroid

Enforcement Act– Schedule III of Controlled

Substances Act

Who Uses Steroids?

• Many different uses of steroids. • Some individuals are prescribed steroids for

inflammation and other conditions. • Steroid use for athletic purposes.

Why Do People Take Steroids?

• To bulk up!• To reduce injuries, increase stamina, decrease

recovery time between athletic events/work outs.

Uses Of Steroids

• Medical• Recreationally-performance enhancement

Medical Uses

• Anemia• Control Breast Cancer• Weight loss due to illness• Osteoporosis • Delayed Puberty• Loss of lean muscle in AIDS and Cancer

Fact

• There are no “clean” anabolic steroids. • They are derivatives of testosterone

synthesized to enhance potency (increases the anabolic characteristics while decreasing side effects)

• Helps the drug avoid being detected in urine analysis.

Performance Enhancement Uses

• Gain muscle mass quickly, increase endurance, and be the best in their event.

Where Are Steroids Obtained?

• Doctors– Prescribe steroids for medical problems such as

breast cancer, delayed puberty, or low red blood cell count.

• Veterinarians– Prescribe for animals to improve weight gain and hair

coat and to treat anemia.• Illegally– Smuggled from other countries.– Theft

Medical Derivatives of Testosterone

• Products for Humans:nandrolone (as the decanoate ester), mesterolone and oxymetholone

• Veterinary Purposes:Boldenone and trenbolone

How Are Steroids Taken?

• Intramuscular or subcutaneous injection• By mouth…Pill form• Pellet implantation under the skin• Application to the Skin

Why Are They Abused?

• Steroids are abused for their performance enhancement effects. Everyone wants to be the best or look the strongest: especially men.

• Abused by the amount taken. Some take in excessive amounts.

Why Are They Abused?

• To increase muscle size and decrease body fat.– Users in this group have muscle dysmorphia: a

distorted image of his or her body.

• Many abusers experience physical or sexual abuse during childhood. Abusers are twice as like to have been raped than non-abusers.

Mechanism

How Steroids Work On The Body

• Binds to androgen receptor in muscle cells which activates specific genes to produce new proteins, i.e. new muscle.

• Enhances protein synthesis while inhibiting protein degradation at the same time.

• Used with resistive training full muscle building effects

Dose

• Medically: 6-10mg/d on a continuous basis and with regular intervals of use.

• Recreationally: Progressively increase dose until 40-100 times the physiologic levels are reached.

• This is known as “Stacking.” Most use multiple forms of it. Stacking is done to maximize steroid receptor binding and to activate multiple steroid receptor sites.

Dose

• “Pyramid”-: – 6-8 weeks cycle– Starts with low dose, increasing until high dose in

the middle, and then slowly decrease dose until starting dose (shape of pyramid)

Second cycle:-- weight lifting without drugs-- belief it allows regular body hormones to

recuperate

Performance Enhancement Effects

• Not Fully Studied• Body weight shown to increase by an average

of four pounds• Lean body weight increase by six pounds• Bench press increase by 15 pounds• Squats increased by 30 pounds.

Necessary Diet

• Diets high in protein and calories may be important in maximizing the effectiveness of steroids.

Male Effects

• Shrinking of testis• decrease in sperm count• breasts • increase risk of prostate cancer• increased tendency toward fatty deposits and

extremely soft muscles. More likely after finishing cycle of steroid.

Female Effects

• Deeper voice, increased body hair (especially facial), enlarged clitoris, and stops or changes menstrual cycle.

Male and Female Effects

• Liver damage• jaundice• fluid retention• balding• severe acne• increases LDL cholesterol and

decreases HDL cholesterol• inhibited growth and

development• high blood pressure causing

headaches

• renal failure• trembling• roughening of skin• increased risk of heart disease• hormonal imbalances• stomachaches• diarrhea• nausea• Vomiting• Increased chances of HIV/AIDS

when using needles

Side Effects

• Increased immune system function• However, once stopped the immune system

has trouble warding off colds. • Immune system becomes dependent on the

steroid and cannot function as well without.

Permanent Effects

• Permanent: Skin changes

Psychological Effects

• “Psychosomatic state”• Sensation of well being, euphoria, increased

aggressiveness and tolerance to stress.• Extreme mood swings, paranoid jealousy,

delusions, feeling of invincibility, and depression.

Drugs taken to decrease side effects

• Growth hormone: acts synergistically with AAS• Human chorionic gonadotropin: Block the testicular side

effects.• Diuretics: Prevent water retention and improve visual

muscle appearance. • Antiestrogens: Such as tamoxifen to block gynecomastia.• Antibiotics: To help hide the steroid use.• Anti-acne medications: To help

prevent testosterone-induced acne.

Intoxication

• Steroid Intoxication has not been fully researched yet.

• Intoxication has rapid effects on mood and emotional functioning– Anxiety, exhilaration, agitation, depression– Extreme case: psychotic reactions

Addiction

• Craving the substance.• Inability to stop using the steroids.• Physical and psychiatric disturbances similar to

cocaine addicts.• Continue to seek steroids even when effects

are no longer positive.• Withdrawal symptoms

Addiction

• Dr. Kashkin and Dr. Klebar of Yale University School of Medicine Opinion:– Steroid addicts need to be treated rather than

tested and penalized.

Withdrawal

• Symptoms include:– Mood swings– Depression with suicidal behavior– Agression with violent and assaultive behavior– Dramatic reduction in size/strength (which may

lead to depression)These symptoms vary between individuals and

depends on the type of steroid being taken.

Metabolism

• There are two phases:– Done in the liver by cytochrome P450 enzymes– Phase 1: covert into more polar compound,

inactivate, and facilitate elimination.• Enzyme Catalyzed Reactions: oxidation, reduction, and

hydroxylation.

– Phase 2: conjunction reactions for excretion• Couples steroid metabolite with glucuronic acid or

sulfate.

Impact on Society

• In many states Mid and High school athletes are required to sign a pledge that they will not use anabolic steroids.

• Parents of athletes are required to attend meeting discussing use and abuse of steroids.

• Many coaches/volunteers are now required to complete an American Sport Education Program course on steroids.

Summary

• The effects of the drug are widespread in the body and cover multiple body systems.

• The chemicals added to steroid derivatives may be to blame for the majority of the health side effects.

• The dose and how often it is taken (stacking, pyramid) can lead to more extreme side effects or even possible long term effects.

Future Implication

• Stunted growth in teens• Liver tumors• Abnormal enlargement of heart muscles• Blood lipid abnormalities• Irreversible stretch marks

More Research Is Needed

• Steroid Intoxication• Treatment for Steroid Addicts• Long term health effects

Sources• Anabolic/Androgenic Steroids Side Effects. Updated 2006. Viewed April 14, 2010.

www.zupplements.com/steroids/steroid_side_effects.htm• Center for Substance Abuse Research. Updated May 2005. Viewed April 14, 2010.

www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/steroids.asp• Fahey, T.D. 1998. Anabolic-androgenic steroids: mechanism of action and effects on performance. Encyclopedia of Sports

Medicine and Science. Internet Society for Sport Science: http://sportsci.org. 7 March 1998.• Hall, R E.W., Hall, R C.W. 1997. 2005. Abuse of Supraphysiologic Doses of Anabolic Steroids. Southern Medical Association.

Vol 98, No. 5: 550-555.• Kicman, AT. 2008. Pharmacology of Anabolic Steroids. British Journal of Pharmocology. Vol 154: 502-521.• National Institute on Drug Abuse. Viewed April 14, 2010. www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/steroids.html• National Institute of health. Updated Feb 18, 2010. Viewed April 14, 2010. www.nih.gov/medlineplus/anablicsteroids.html• Nevius, C.W. San Francisco Chronical. Updated April 14, 2010. Viewed April 14, 2010. Articles.sfgate.com/2006-09-20/

news/17313104_1_school.sports.middles-high-school• Nolteernsting, E., Schanzer, W., Slobodan, R. 1999. Metabolism of anabolic steroids by recombiant human cytochrome

P450 enzymes: Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometic determination of metabolites. Journal of Chromatography B. Vol 735: 73-83.

• Office of National Drug Control Policy. Viewed April 14, 2010. www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/steroids/steroid_ff.html

• Schanzer, W. 1996. Metabolism of Anabolic and Androgenic Steroids. Clinical Chemistry. Vol 42. No. 7: 1001-1020.• Steroids.U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Updated March 20, 2010. Viewed April 14, 2010.

www.justice.gov/dea/concern/steroids.html• Warren Leary. Users of steroids Risk Addiction. NY Times, Dec 8, 1989.