Aortopathic effect of androgenic anabolic steroids.

BACKGROUND: Anabolic androgens have been reported to be associated with cardiovascular complications. One study revealed that increase in vascular stiffness in bodybuilders is associated with anabolic androgens and improvement in vascular function may occur following anabolic androgens discontinuation. The aim of this study was to investigate any possible relation between aortic elastic properties and anabolic androgens.

METHODS: Study population was divided into 3 groups: Group-1 [n = 35] consisted of bodybuilders who denied any current or previous use of anabolic androgens. Group-2 [n = 18] was bodybuilders with regular using of anabolic androgens for at least 2 year prior to the start of our study. Group-3 was 13 healthy age-matched sedentary men as a control group. Cardiac echocardiography was performed in the bodybuilders and controls and indexes of aortic function were calculated.

RESULTS: Aortic stiffness was approximately twofold higher in anabolic androgens user bodybuilders compared with drug-free bodybuilders [P < 0.001].

CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that chronic anabolic androgens use clearly produces significant decrease in the elastic properties of aorta.