Avaliação de parâmetros bioquímicos, hormonais e variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em indivíduos que fizeram uso de esteróides anabólicos de maneira recreativa

Abstract

The indiscriminate use of recreational anabolic steroids by non-athletes can be a life threatening. In the present study we investigated the possible changes in hormonal, biochemical and heart rate variability of patients who presented themselves at the clinic for follow up, claiming that they were undergoing different protocols for steroid use. Based on the historical condition, the patients were divided into 4 groups: group I: patients who used only testosterone (n=10); group II: patients using testosterone and deca durabolim (n=18); group III patients using testosterone + deca durabolim + oxandrolone (n=9) and group IV: patients who did not use steroids (n=7), which served as control. No changes were observed in the heart rate variability in low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) of spectral analyses of the patients during the 6 weeks of follow-up, even in supine and stand position. HDL values were reduced in the groups that used steroids, regardless of the combination. The hepatic function markers TGO and TGP were increased in group III, which patients were under the influence of 3 anabolic drugs. A blockade of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis of these patients was also observed in the 3 groups under steroid use, evidenced by a significant reduction in LH and FSH levels, probably causing gonadal impairment in these patients. Our findings suggest that the recreational use of anabolic steroids induces blockage of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, causing gonadal impairment and that the combination of three steroids may lead to hepatic impairment. However, no changes were observed in the heart rate variability of these patients.