Sten (testosterone cypionate & propionate) anaboic androgenic steroid profile

akn · Jun 17, 2014

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Sten is a two-component testosterone blend from Mexico that
contains a mixture of testosterone propionate (25 mg),
testosterone cypionate (75 mg), and DHEA
(dehydroepiandrosterone; 20 mg) in a 2 mL ampule. Some
references incorrectly list this product as containing 20 mg of
DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which would be a third
androgen. This is, however, just a confusion of the Spanish
word for DHEA (dehidroisoandrosterona), which at a quick
glance looks similar to “dihydrotestosterona.” More recent
packaging lists this ingredient as the less confusing
“prasterona”(prasterone; another accepted term for DHEA).
Holding the DHEA irrelevant at the moment, this steroid
product contains a simple 50 mg/ml mixture of two common
testosterone esters.
Many consider Sten to be a low-budget alternative to
Sustanon® 250. While it does contain a blend of two
testosterone esters, Sten is not as slow-acting in comparison.
The longest ester of testosterone it uses is cypionate, which
allows testosterone levels to return to baseline
approximately 2 weeks after injection. Testosterone
cypionate is also not a delayed-onset drug, so Sten doesn’t
offer much advantage in regards to a “sustained-release”
effect. The testosterone propionate only compounds the
initial testosterone spike, making its pharmacokinetic profile
more uneven than if testosterone cypionate were used alone.
Of course Sten and Sustanon® are both testosterone
products, so given equivalently dosed weekly injections the
end result should not be very different between the two.
History:
Sten is made in Mexico by the pharmaceutical firm Atlantis,
S.A. de C.V. This agent is used primarily to correct low
androgen levels in males, for the treatment of hypogonadism,
andropause, and impotence. It is also sometimes prescribed
to women for excessive lactation, advanced breast cancer,
and low sex drive. Sten has a long history of sale on the
Mexican market, where it is one of the country’s more
inexpensive human-use testosterone products. It has
consequently remained a somewhat popular item there, even
if its formulation may not be the most properly suited for the
higher-dosed requirements of athletic use.
How Supplied:
Sten is available on the human drug market in Mexico. It
contains a blend of 25 mg/75 mg testosterone propionate and
testosterone cypionate (respectively) per 2-milliliter ampule.
Structural Characteristics:
Sten contains a mixture of two testosterone compounds,
which where modified with the addition of carboxylic acid
esters (propionic and cyclopentylpropionic acids) at the 17-
beta hydroxyl group. Esterified forms of testosterone are less
polar than free testosterone, and are absorbed more slowly
from the area of injection. Once in the bloodstream, the ester
is removed to yield free (active) testosterone. Esterified
forms of testosterone are designed to prolong the window of
therapeutic effect following administration, allowing for a
less frequent injection schedule compared to injections of
free (unesterified) steroid. Sten is designed to provide a
rapid peak in testosterone levels (24-48 hours after
injection), and maintain physiological concentrations for
approximately 14 days.
Side Effects (Estrogenic):
Testosterone is readily aromatized in the body to estradiol
(estrogen). The aromatase (estrogen synthetase) enzyme is
responsible for this metabolism of testosterone. Elevated
estrogen levels can cause side effects such as increased
water retention, body fat gain, and gynecomastia.
Testosterone is considered a moderately estrogenic steroid.
An anti-estrogen such as clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen
citrate may be necessary to prevent estrogenic side effects.
One may alternately use an aromatase inhibitor like
Arimidex® (anastrozole), which more efficiently controls
estrogen by preventing its synthesis. Aromatase inhibitors
can be quite expensive in comparison to anti-estrogens,
however, and may also have negative effects on blood lipids.
Estrogenic side effects will occur in a dose-dependant
manner, with higher doses (above normal therapeutic levels)
of testosterone more likely to require the concurrent use of an
anti-estrogen or aromatase inhibitor. Since water retention
and loss of muscle definition are common with higher doses
of testosterone, this drug is usually considered a poor choice
for dieting or cutting phases of training. Its moderate
estrogenicity makes it more ideal for bulking phases, where
the added water retention will support raw strength and
muscle size, and help foster a stronger anabolic environment.
Side Effects (Androgenic):
Testosterone is the primary male androgen, responsible for
maintaining secondary male sexual characteristics. Elevated
levels of testosterone are likely to produce androgenic side
effects including oily skin, acne, and body/facial hair growth.
Men with a genetic predisposition for hair loss (androgenetic
alopecia) may notice accelerated male pattern balding.
Those concerned about hair loss may find a more
comfortable option in nandrolone decanoate, which is a
comparably less androgenic steroid. Women are warned of
the potential virilizing effects of anabolic/androgenic
steroids, especially with a strong androgen such as
testosterone. These may include deepening of the voice,
menstrual irregularities, changes in skin texture, facial hair
growth, and clitoral enlargement.
In androgen-responsive target tissues such as the skin, scalp,
and prostate, the high relative androgenicity of testosterone is
dependant on its reduction to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
The 5-alpha reductase enzyme is responsible for this
metabolism of testosterone. The concurrent use of a 5-alpha
reductase inhibitor such as finasteride or dutasteride will
interfere with site-specific potentiation of testosterone
action, lowering the tendency of testosterone drugs to
produce androgenic side effects. It is important to remember
that anabolic and androgenic effects are both mediated via
the cytosolic androgen receptor. Complete separation of
testosterone’s anabolic and androgenic properties is not
possible, even with total 5-alpha reductase inhibition.
Side Effects (Hepatotoxicity):
Testosterone does not have hepatotoxic effects; liver toxicity
is unlikely. One study examined the potential for
hepatotoxicity with high doses of testosterone by
administering 400 mg of the hormone per day (2,800 mg per
week) to a group of male subjects. The steroid was taken
orally so that higher peak concentrations would be reached in
hepatic tissues compared to intramuscular injections. The
hormone was given daily for 20 days, and produced no
significant changes in liver enzyme values including serum
albumin, bilirubin, alanine-amino-transferase, and alkaline
phosphatases.576
Side Effects (Cardiovascular):
Anabolic/androgenic steroids can have deleterious effects on
serum cholesterol. This includes a tendency to reduce HDL
(good) cholesterol values and increase LDL (bad)
cholesterol values, which may shift the HDL to LDL balance
in a direction that favors greater risk of arteriosclerosis. The
relative impact of an anabolic/androgenic steroid on serum
lipids is dependant on the dose, route of administration (oral
vs. injectable), type of steroid (aromatizable or nonaromatizable),
and level of resistance to hepatic metabolism.
Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also adversely effect
blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial
relaxation, and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all
potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and
myocardial infarction.
Testosterone tends to have a much less dramatic impact on
cardiovascular risk factors than synthetic steroids. This is
due in part to its openness to metabolism by the liver, which
allows it to have less effect on the hepatic management of
cholesterol. The aromatization of testosterone to estradiol
also helps to mitigate the negative effects of androgens on
serum lipids. In one study, 280 mg per week of testosterone
ester (enanthate) had a slight but not statistically significant
effect on HDL cholesterol after 12 weeks, but when taken
with an aromatase inhibitor a strong (25%) decrease was
seen.577 Studies using 300 mg of testosterone ester
(enanthate) per week for twenty weeks without an aromatase
inhibitor demonstrated only a 13% decrease in HDL
cholesterol, while at 600 mg the reduction reached 21%.578
The negative impact of aromatase inhibition should be taken
into consideration before such drug is added to testosterone
therapy.
Due to the positive influence of estrogen on serum lipids,
tamoxifen citrate or clomiphene citrate are preferred to
aromatase inhibitors for those concerned with cardiovascular
health, as they offer a partial estrogenic effect in the liver.
This allows them to potentially improve lipid profiles and
offset some of the negative effects of androgens. With doses
of 600 mg or less per week, the impact on lipid profile tends
to be noticeable but not dramatic, making an anti-estrogen
(for cardioprotective purposes) perhaps unnecessary. Doses
of 600 mg or less per week have also failed to produce
statistically significant changes in LDL/VLDL cholesterol,
triglycerides, apolipoprotein B/C-III, C-reactive protein, and
insulin sensitivity, all indicating a relatively weak impact on
cardiovascular risk factors.579 When used in moderate doses,
injectable testosterone esters are usually considered to be the
safest of all anabolic/androgenic steroids.
To help reduce cardiovascular strain it is advised to
maintain an active cardiovascular exercise program and
minimize the intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and simple
carbohydrates at all times during active AAS administration.
Supplementing with fish oils (4 grams per day) and a natural
cholesterol/antioxidant formula such as Lipid Stabil or a
product with comparable ingredients is also recommended.
Side Effects (Testosterone Suppression):
All anabolic/androgenic steroids when taken in doses
sufficient to promote muscle gain are expected to suppress
endogenous testosterone production. Testosterone is the
primary male androgen, and offers strong negative feedback
on endogenous testosterone production. Testosterone-based
drugs will, likewise, have a strong effect on the hypothalamic
regulation of natural steroid hormones. Without the
intervention of testosterone-stimulating substances,
testosterone levels should return to normal within 1-4 months
of drug secession. Note that prolonged hypogonadotrophic
hypogonadism can develop secondary to steroid abuse,
necessitating medical intervention.
Administration (General):
Testosterone propionate is often regarded as a painful
injection. This is due to the very short carbon chain of the
propionic acid ester, which can be irritating to tissues at the
site of injection. Many sensitive individuals choose to stay
away from this steroid completely, their bodies reacting with
a pronounced soreness and low-grade fever that may last for
a few days after each injection.
Administration (Men):
For the treatment of low androgen levels, the prescribing
guidelines for Sten recommend one injection of one 2 mL
ampule (100 mg testosterone esters; 20 mg DHEA) every 15-
30 days. For bodybuilding purposes, this drug is usually
injected on a weekly basis, in a dosage of 2-4 ampules (200-
400 mg of testosterone esters in total). This level is sufficient
to provide excellent gains in muscle size and strength. Higher
doses are possible, but even the injection volume needed
with 4 ampules per week (8ml) can become too
uncomfortable for many. Testosterone drugs are ultimately
very versatile, and can be combined with many other
anabolic/androgenic steroids depending on the desired
effect.
Administration (Women):
The prescribing guidelines for Sten do not make special
dosing recommendations for women, except to say that
androgenic symptoms may occur, and in certain scenarios
therapy should be suspended until symptoms resolve, and
after a lower dose used. This drug is not recommended for
women for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes
due to its strong androgenic nature, tendency to produce
virilizing side effects, and slow acting characteristics
(making blood levels difficult to control).
Availability:
Sten is commonly found in Mexico, where 2 pre-loaded
syringes are packaged in a box and usually sell for about $10
in the pharmacy.

By WL

Sten (testosterone cypionate & propionate) anaboic androgenic steroid profile

akn

Musclechemistry Member

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