Influence of stanozolol administration together with resistance training on thyroid and some steroid hormones in male rats

Abstract

Abuse of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AASs) can lead to numerous detrimental health effects on body systems. With the increased self-administration of these steroids during the last decades, endocrine modifications and hormonal alterations associated with them have become an important clinical issue. The purpose of this research was to study the influence of 8-week injections of different doses of stanozolol (ST) along with resistance training (RT) on the levels of thyroid and some steroid hormones. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, equally: group 1, untrained + normal saline; group 2, RT + normal saline; group 3, RT + ST (2 mg/kg b.w.); and group 4, RT + ST (5 mg/kg b.w.). The exercise protocol consisted of three training sessions weekly by 5 repetitions/3 sets of stepping onto the ladder for 8 weeks. Weight was loaded at the tail of each rat. Blood concentrations of T₃, T₄, FT₃, FT_4, TSH, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone were determined by immunoassay methods. TSH concentration decreased significantly in groups 3 and 4 as compared to control group and group 2. Significant increment of FT₃ concentration was also observed in group 4 relative to groups 1 and 2. Dihydrotestosterone and testosterone concentrations decreased in groups 3 and 4 relative to controls, but the decrease was only statistically significant between groups 4 and 1. Moreover, exercise alone and also stanozolol treatment plus exercise induced no significant alteration on plasma concentrations of T₄, T₃, and FT₄ relative to controls. Current data show that ST treatment together with RT affects the levels of TSH, FT₃, dihydrotestosterone, and testosterone, which should be considered in pathophysiological outcomes of AAS abuse.

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