Case Study: Athlete Looking Good, Doing Better with Anabolic Steroids

Case Study: Athlete Looking Good, Doing Better with Anabolic Steroids

Case Study: Athlete Looking Good, Doing Better with Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are drugs other than estrogen, progestin corticosteroids or hormones that are chemically similar to testosterone, the hormone responsible for the masculinization and anabolic metabolism in males. Anabolic steroids possess a mechanism of action similar to that of testosterone and have been used to enhance performance among athletes since 1930’s.  Though potent performance enhancers, anabolic steroids are associated with severe side effects such as liver damage, tendon breakage and dry skins (Kanayama, Hudson & Pope, 2010).

The use of anabolic steroids is traced back to 1930’s when testosterone analogs were administered to men with a deficient testosterone production to enhance their growth, development as well as sexual function. From 1956 through 1960’s to early 1970’s the production and use of anabolic steroid in enhancing performance  increased drastically with the Soviet Union wrestlers performing exceptionally well in weightlifting and other sports (Kanayama, Hudson & Pope, 2010). The American physician, Doctor Zeigler, then synthesized the first anabolic steroid in the US that was used on a large scale by athletes from different domains to enhance performance. The production and use of anabolic steroids were however banned by the Olympic Committee in 1975 and stringent measures instituted to control its use in sports (Harmer, 2010).

Mode of Action-How Anabolic Steroids Result into Increased Performance

Anabolic steroids exhibit the same mode of action as testosterone since all of these steroids are testosterone analogs. Following intravenous or intramuscular administration, the anabolic steroids bind to the androgen receptor sites. After binding to the androgen receptor sites, these steroids then enter the cells and cause the alteration in the cell functioning by enhancing the DNA and RNA expression and synthesis. The resultant effect is increased in the protein synthesis rate. The body protein is increasingly engaged in muscle building with a higher rate of nitrogen retention in the body (Harmer, 2010). The nitrogen retention is a marker of muscle deposition. Apart from the direct effect on the muscle deposition, the anabolic steroids also inhibit cortisol entry into the cells, the hormone involved in the catabolism processes in the body. Less cortisol in the body leads to higher muscle deposition.

Combined with resistance training and a higher calorie diet, mostly protein, these compounds lead to a higher protein synthesis that the body uses in increasing the both the size and the strength of skeletal muscle cells, the dominant muscle cells in the body. The hypertrophy of skeletal muscle of the muscle requires constant stimulation to avoid the reversal of their effects and sustain the muscle size and strengths that are associated with their use (Harmer, 2010).

The anabolic steroids also alter the protein cycle in the body. In unaltered body functioning, the body proteins are subjected to a continuous cycle of anabolism and catabolism. The anabolic steroids alter the cycle through inhibition of the catabolic phase of the protein cycle. Mediated mainly through cortisol inhibition, the anabolic steroids prevent the cortisol-mediated mobilization and catabolism of the protein that affects the size of the skeletal muscles. It also creates a positive nitrogen balance that further lead to increased muscle size and strength. These effects collectively lead to muscle hypertrophy and better performance in athletes requiring higher muscle power (Amsterdam, Oppenhuizen & Hartgens, 2010).

Examples of Anabolic Steroids

Since the inception of use of anabolic steroids in the enhancement of performance, several compounds with same pharmacological activities to testosterone have been synthesized. These include testosterone, boldenone, methenolone, chlorotestosterone and methyl testosterone.  Other examples include dihydrotestosterone, norethandrolone, and clostebol. Methandriol, trenbolone and mesterolone and formebulone have also been used as anabolic steroids. Due to the necessity of maintenance dose during the use of anabolic steroids, different cycles can be followed. The use of these drugs may follow an easy diamond cycle, pumping up the dose cycle followed by decrease the day cycle (Amsterdam, Oppenhuizen & Hartgens, 2010).

References

Amsterdam, J., Opperhuizen, A., & Hartgens, F. (2010). Adverse health effects of anabolic–androgenic steroids. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 57(1), 117-123.

Harmer, P. A. (2010). Anabolic-androgenic steroid use among young male and female athletes: is the game to blame? British journal of sports medicine, 44(1), 26-31.

Kanayama, G., Hudson, J. I., & Pope, H. G. (2010). Illicit anabolic–androgenic steroid use. Hormones and behavior, 58(1), 111-121.