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Presser
10-06-2012, 12:58 PM
DECA-DURABOLIN Weakens Tendons and Collagen

In a recent thread started in the NO BULL forums a person wrote, “How come people don’t train like Ronnie anymore?” The thread talked about the change in the training style of all the bodybuilders to more high-volume training and less high-intensity training. With the exception of Branch Warren, there are not many pros who are training with high intensity. It may be because today’s bodybuilders don’t want to risk injury. Here is a list of some of the top bodybuilders who have suffered major injuries or tears during their training careers, off the top of my head:
Dorian Yates: tricep/bicep
Kevin Levrone: pec
Rich Gaspari: pec
Ronnie Coleman: tricep
Berry de May: pec
Chris Dickerson: pec
Tom Platz: bicep
Branch Warren: tricep/quad tendon

Is it just a coincidence that bodybuilders are more likely to suffer injuries because of heavy training, or does the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) have any impact on tendon/collagen strength? The research is very preliminary, as only a few studies have examined the effects of AAS on tendon and collagen strength. It was shown that anabolic steroids alter the biomechanical properties of tendons and reduce tendon flexibility.(1,2,3)

Some interesting theories have been suggested as why heavy anabolic steroid use can cause tendon injury, which is based around cortisol production and AAS. Researches have demonstrated that AAS combined with tension overload reduced MMP2 activity (MMP2 is a gene responsible for collagen production) and increased serum values of cortisol.(4) During cortisol treatment, the serum levels of genes responsible for collagen production decrease, suggesting that cortisol suppresses the synthesis of collagen production.(5) The reduction in genes for collagen and tendons have been speculated as to why AAS makes bodybuilders susceptible to injuries. New research links the use of high doses of anabolic steroids to tendon and collagen dysfunction, which may make a bodybuilder think twice about training heavily while using anabolics.

GENE EXPRESSION IN TENDS/COLLAGEN AFTER HEAVY AAS USE

Researchers in the European Journal of Applied Physiology examined how heavy use of the anabolic steroid Deca-Durabolin affected collagen strength in rats. The rats were separated into two groups: natural training and training with heavy anabolic steroid use. The dose the researchers administered to the rats was considered supra-physiological – Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) 5mg/kg of bodyweight.

The rats were cleverly forced to perform resistance exercise, but you can’t just tell a rat to start benching – so the researchers attached weights to the rats’ backs. They dropped the rats into a tank of water and the rats immediately jumped out of the water as soon as they were dunked. Every week, the researchers gradually made the weight on the rats’ backs heavier and heavier until at the end of seven weeks the weight was 80 percent of their bodyweight. The researchers dropped the rats in the tank so that they performed this for 4 sets x 10 repetitions of “jumps” with 30-second rest periods. After that, they rats were sacrificed and the rats’ tendons and collagen were examined for gene expression.

There were some very interesting findings after seven weeks of training with anabolic steroids, compared with the natty (natural) group of rats. The natty group did not have any biochemical changes in the rat tendon/collagen properties, while the anabolic steroid group had major changes.(6) The Deca-Durabolin group had reduced biochemical properties of genes involving tendon and collagen strength.

It is interesting to note that AAS administration reduced the accumulation of IGF-1 mRNA levels in some tendon regions, compared to the non-treated, trained group. This decrease of IGF-1 mRNA levels induced by AAS administration may be related to the observed decreases collagen expression when considering the possible connection between IGF-1 and collagen synthesis.(8) The AAS treatment also decreased the MMP-2 mRNA expression (this gene encodes an enzyme for collagen).

The above study is similar to another recently published study, which showed that nandrolone impaired the healing of rotator cuffs of rabbits. In the latter study, male rabbits underwent an incision in the rotator cuff and were divided into groups with anabolic steroids (nandrolone decanoate, 10mg/kg) and natural recovery. Groups that did not receive anabolic steroids showed better healing and more tendon strength compared to groups that received anabolic steroids. Microscopic examination of specimens from the groups with anabolic steroid use showed focal fibroblastic reaction and inflammation, suggesting an impaired healing response.(7)

The key point is that many of these studies were using supraphysiological dosages of steroids that could be like the typical Olympia stack – but the new research suggests that a high-volume approach to training with less weight may be a better approach to use for a bodybuilder than a high-intensity, heavy weight program that puts more stress on the tendons and makes them more susceptible to injury.

By Robbie Durand, M.A., Senior Science Editor of Muscular Development


References:

1. Evans NA, Bowrey DJ, Newman GR (1998) Ultrastructural analysis of ruptured tendon from anabolic steroid users. Injury, 29:769-773.
2: Marqueti RC, Prestes J, Paschoal M, Ramos OH, Perez SE, Carvalho HF, Selistre-de-Araujo HS (2008) Matrix metallopeptidase 2 activity in tendon regions: effects of mechanical loading exercise associated to anabolic-androgenic steroids, Eur J Appl Physiol, 104:1087-1093.
3: Marqueti RC, Prestes J, Wang CC, Ramos OH, Perez SE, Nakagaki WR, Carvalho HF, Selistre-de-Araujo HS (2010). Biomechanical responses of different rat tendons to nandrolone decanoate and load exercise. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 29.
4: Marqueti RC, Parizotto NA, Chriguer RS, Perez SEA, Selistre-de-Araujo HS (2006) Androgenic-anabolic steroids associated with mechanical loading inhibit matrix metallopeptidase activity and affect the remodeling of the Achilles tendon in rats. Am J Sport Med, 34:1274-1280.
5: Oikarinen A, Autio P, Vuori J, Vašašnašnen K, Risteli L, Kiistala U, Risteli J (1992) Systemic glucocorticoid treatment decreases serum concentrations of carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen. Br J Dermatol, 126:172-178.
6: Marqueti RC, Heinemeier KM, Durigan JL, de Andrade Perez SE, Schjerling P, Kjaer M, Carvalho HF, Selistre-de-Araujo HS. Erratum to: Gene expression in distinct regions of rat tendons in response to jump training combined with anabolic androgenic steroid administration. Eur J Appl Physiol, 2011 Sep 8.
7: Papaspiliopoulos A, Papaparaskeva K, Papadopoulou E, Feroussis J, Papalois A, Zoubos A. The effect of local use of nandrolone decanoate on rotator cuff repair in rabbits. J Invest Surg, 2010 Aug;23(4):204-7.
8: Heinemeier KM, Olesen JL, Schjerling P, Hassad F, Langberg H, Baldwin KM, Kjaer M (2007b) Short-term strength training and the expression of myostatin and IGF-1 isoforms in rat muscle and tendon: differential effects of specific contraction types. J Appl Physiol, 102:573-581.

bigghorn
10-06-2012, 01:31 PM
Very intersting! So that blows out deca is good for tendon And ligament strength? Thot it is it's claim to fame?

WesleyInman
10-06-2012, 02:34 PM
My research years ago, in undegrad when I got my B.S, and we studied anabolics and nandrolone, aka deca, "if I remember correctly" was touted to actually strengthen bone density...and show increased healing in tendons and ligaments...

These were short term studies. Studies also showed that Nandrolone supports and I want to say adds fluid to joints/ that or retains water in the joint, so it helps protect them while you are on..I forget the quotable material, but I would agree to the joint protection for sure.

If long term use erodes them, then maybe short term use is still widely accepted??

I know Winstrol and antibiotics for a fact are known to cause erosion of tendons ligaments and connective tissues. I am relatively sure antibiotics are the quickest acting, meaning you can go on antibiotics for a week and tear a muscle off or break a bone.

The Dude
10-06-2012, 03:24 PM
I've used Deca on and off for 20 years. The pec and bicep ruptures both happened when I was off of it. My joints and tendons always feel stronger and better on it.
Antibiotics on the other hand... I don't touch a weight from the moment I take the first dose until 5 days after I'm done.

Jpotch
10-06-2012, 09:42 PM
Ive read deca increases healing potential in fractures. Never in connnective tissue

bigghorn
10-07-2012, 03:22 AM
How much winny and antibiotics are we talking about? Multiple cycles or very first one and for how long and amout ? 100mg day? I hear 6 week max for winny for these issues.. Yes?or no?

Buffalo
10-07-2012, 11:59 AM
This is what stuck out to me:

The key point is that many of these studies were using supraphysiological dosages of steroids that could be like the typical Olympia stack – but the new research suggests that a high-volume approach to training with less weight may be a better approach to use for a bodybuilder than a high-intensity, heavy weight program that puts more stress on the tendons and makes them more susceptible to injury.


How much winny and antibiotics are we talking about? Multiple cycles or very first one and for how long and amout ? 100mg day? I hear 6 week max for winny for these issues.. Yes?or no?

I had no signs of any issue at 50mg ed at 4 weeks, now at 75mg ed and no issues that stand out. Going to go to 6 weeks.

I do spend about 10-15 minutes really warming up and getting a good pump before I even start any sets though.

Zeus
10-07-2012, 12:02 PM
I hate deca. Doesn't do shit for me but make my nipples hurt and stop my Willy from working.

tripwire
10-07-2012, 04:34 PM
I hope the deca is helping my bones heal. Im getting a CAT scan in a couple of weeks. Then the doc can confirm that my bones are growing together. Maybe he looks to verify bone growth around the hardware too.

Kevipro
05-24-2017, 09:37 PM
I hope the deca is helping my bones heal. Im getting a CAT scan in a couple of weeks. Then the doc can confirm that my bones are growing together. Maybe he looks to verify bone growth around the hardware too.


Nandolones increase nitrogen retention across the entire body even if the anabolic aspects are directed to muscle receptors, trust me all this crap suddenly about steroids not doing what we know they do is from supplement companies wanting to scare you into their bank accounts. When you increase protein synthesis, all areas including the nervous sytem regro, do the real research and you will see, dont listen to a supplement company.

drtbear1967
05-25-2017, 08:32 AM
We are not all the same, therefore, not all drugs are going to respond to everyone the same way. IMO