Effect of anabolic steroids on plasma antithrombin III. alpha2 macroglobulin and alpha1 antitrypsin levels.

The effect of seven different anabolic steroids (Ethyloestrenol, Methenolone acetate, Norethandrolone, Methylandrostenediol, Oxymetholone, Methandienone, and Stanozolol) on three alpha-globulin antiprotease inhibitors of thrombin and plasmin was studied in men with ischaemic heart disease. In distinct contrast to the oral contraceptives, five of the six 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic steroids studied produced increased plasma Antithrombin III levels and five produced decreased levels of plasma alpha2-macroglobulin. The effect on plasma alpha1-antitrypsin levels was less clear-cut but three of the steroids examined produced significantly elevated levels. The increased plasma fibrinolytic activity which the 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic steroids induce is therefore unlikely to be secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation.