Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Department of Vascular Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Aker, Nydalen, P.O Box 4950, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
Sci Rep. 2024 Aug 19;14(1):19201. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-70110-5.
Supraphysiological doses of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) is popular among recreational weightlifters and bodybuilders due to the performance-enhancing properties but is also associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. The knowledge about how AAS affect the vasculature is limited, although results from previous studies suggest alterations in vasoreactivity and morphology. In the present study we investigate the association between long-term use of AAS and vascular function. Hundred and twenty-three males were included in the study, 56 of them current AAS users and 67 weightlifting controls. Vascular function was evaluated by carotid artery reactivity and flow-mediated dilation. AAS users had significantly reduced carotid artery reactivity (p < 0.001) and flow-mediated dilation (p < 0.001) compared to weightlifting controls. Results from the present study indicate that long-term use of AAS affect the cardiovascular system negatively, measured as reduced carotid artery reactivity and flow-mediated dilation. These findings could partly explain sudden cardiovascular events among young long-term users of AAS.
由于具有增强运动表现的特性，合成代谢-雄性激素类固醇（AAS）在娱乐性举重运动员和健美运动员中很受欢迎，但也与不良心血管影响有关。尽管之前的研究结果表明血管反应性和形态发生了改变，但关于 AAS 如何影响血管的知识有限。在本研究中，我们研究了长期使用 AAS 与血管功能之间的关系。该研究共纳入了 123 名男性，其中 56 名为当前 AAS 用户，67 名为举重对照者。通过颈动脉反应性和血流介导的扩张来评估血管功能。与举重对照组相比，AAS 用户的颈动脉反应性（p<0.001）和血流介导的扩张（p<0.001）显著降低。本研究的结果表明，长期使用 AAS 会对心血管系统产生负面影响，表现为颈动脉反应性和血流介导的扩张降低。这些发现部分解释了长期使用 AAS 的年轻人群中突然发生心血管事件的原因。
