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Anabolic Steroids
A steroid is a chemical substance derived from cholesterol. The body has several major steroid hormones -- cortisol and testosterone in the male, estrogen and progesterone in the female. Catabolic steroids break down tissue, and anabolic steroids build up tissue. Anabolic steroids build muscle and bone mass primarily by stimulating the muscle and bone cells to make new protein.
Athletes use anabolic steroids because they increase muscle strength by encouraging new muscle growth. Anabolic steroids are similar in structure to the male sex hormone, testosterone, so they enhance male reproductive and secondary sex characteristics (testicle development, hair growth, thickening of the vocal cords). They allow the athlete to train harder and longer at any given period.
Anabolic steroids are mostly testosterone (male sex hormone) and its derivatives. Examples of anabolic steroids include:
* Testosterone
* Dihydrotestosterone
* Androstenedione (Andro)
* Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
* Clostebol
* Nandrolone
These substances can be injected or taken as pills. Anabolic steroids have a number of possible and well-known side effects, including:
* Jaundice and liver damage because these substances are normally broken down in the liver
* Mood swings, depression and aggression because they act on various centers of the brain
In males, the excessive concentrations interfere with normal sexual function and cause:
* Baldness
* Infertility
* Breast development
In females, the excessive concentrations cause male characteristics to develop and interfere with normal female functions. The drugs can:
* Stimulate hair growth on the face and body
* Suppress or interfere with menstrual cycle, possibly leading to infertility
* Thicken the vocal cords, which causes the voice to deepen, possibly permanently
* If pregnant, interfere with the developing fetus
Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonists
When inhaled, beta-2 agonists relax the smooth muscle in the airways of asthma patients by mimicking the actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine, substances that are secreted by sympathetic nerves. However when injected into the bloodstream, these drugs can build muscle mass (anabolic effect) and reduce body fat (catabolic effect). The anabolic effect appears to directly affect building proteins in the muscles, which is independent of nervous or cardiovascular effects. Some examples of beta-2 agonists include:
* Clenbuterol
* Tertbutaline
* Salbutamol
* Fenoterol
* Bambuterol
Some of these substances are permitted in inhaler forms with written medical consent.
The major side effects include:
* Nausea, headaches and dizziness because these substances constrict blood vessels in the brain
* Muscle cramps because they constrict blood vessels in muscles
* Rapid heart beats or flutters because they stimulate heart rate
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
hCG is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced by the developing fetus and detected in most home pregnancy kits. hCG stimulates the development of natural male and female sex steroids. The increase in testosterone levels in males by the use of hCG would stimulate muscle development as with anabolic steroids. hCG is not banned in female athletes because it would not lead to muscle development and might naturally occur in high levels if the athlete is pregnant. The side effects of hCG in males are the same as those of anabolic steroids.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
LH is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. LH is important for maintaining normal levels of testosterone in the male and estrogen in the female. In women, a surge of LH during mid-cycle is the signal for ovulation. In men, excess LH or artificial LH derivatives (tamoxifen) would increase testosterone levels and have the same effects as anabolic steroids. Although no general side effects exist, any possible side effects might be similar to those of anabolic steroids.
Human Growth Hormone (hGH)
hGH is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland and is important for normal human growth and development, especially in children and teenagers. Low hGH levels in children and teenagers result in dwarfism. Excessive hGH levels increase muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis, strengthen bones by stimulating bone growth and reduce body fat by stimulating the breakdown of fat cells. Use of hGH has become increasingly popular because it is difficult to detect. Side effects include:
* Overgrowth of hands, feet, and face (acromegaly) because of the increased muscle and bone development in these parts
* Enlarged internal organs, especially heart, kidneys, tongue and liver
* Heart problems
Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1)
IGF-1, which is also called somatomedin-C, is a naturally occurring protein that helps in the action of hGH. It also stimulates protein synthesis and reduces fat. Excessive IGF-1 would increase muscle and bone mass as hGH does. Side effects include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and other side effects similar to hGH.
Insulin
Insulin is a natural protein hormone produced by the pancreas, which is important for metabolism of sugars, starches, fats, and proteins. It is necessary for the treatment of juvenile (Type 1) diabetes. In athletes, insulin combined with anabolic steroids or hGH could increase muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis. Side effects are mainly low blood sugar associated with shaking, nausea and weakness, but excessive hypoglycemia can lead to coma and death.
A steroid is a chemical substance derived from cholesterol. The body has several major steroid hormones -- cortisol and testosterone in the male, estrogen and progesterone in the female. Catabolic steroids break down tissue, and anabolic steroids build up tissue. Anabolic steroids build muscle and bone mass primarily by stimulating the muscle and bone cells to make new protein.
Athletes use anabolic steroids because they increase muscle strength by encouraging new muscle growth. Anabolic steroids are similar in structure to the male sex hormone, testosterone, so they enhance male reproductive and secondary sex characteristics (testicle development, hair growth, thickening of the vocal cords). They allow the athlete to train harder and longer at any given period.
Anabolic steroids are mostly testosterone (male sex hormone) and its derivatives. Examples of anabolic steroids include:
* Testosterone
* Dihydrotestosterone
* Androstenedione (Andro)
* Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
* Clostebol
* Nandrolone
These substances can be injected or taken as pills. Anabolic steroids have a number of possible and well-known side effects, including:
* Jaundice and liver damage because these substances are normally broken down in the liver
* Mood swings, depression and aggression because they act on various centers of the brain
In males, the excessive concentrations interfere with normal sexual function and cause:
* Baldness
* Infertility
* Breast development
In females, the excessive concentrations cause male characteristics to develop and interfere with normal female functions. The drugs can:
* Stimulate hair growth on the face and body
* Suppress or interfere with menstrual cycle, possibly leading to infertility
* Thicken the vocal cords, which causes the voice to deepen, possibly permanently
* If pregnant, interfere with the developing fetus
Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonists
When inhaled, beta-2 agonists relax the smooth muscle in the airways of asthma patients by mimicking the actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine, substances that are secreted by sympathetic nerves. However when injected into the bloodstream, these drugs can build muscle mass (anabolic effect) and reduce body fat (catabolic effect). The anabolic effect appears to directly affect building proteins in the muscles, which is independent of nervous or cardiovascular effects. Some examples of beta-2 agonists include:
* Clenbuterol
* Tertbutaline
* Salbutamol
* Fenoterol
* Bambuterol
Some of these substances are permitted in inhaler forms with written medical consent.
The major side effects include:
* Nausea, headaches and dizziness because these substances constrict blood vessels in the brain
* Muscle cramps because they constrict blood vessels in muscles
* Rapid heart beats or flutters because they stimulate heart rate
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
hCG is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced by the developing fetus and detected in most home pregnancy kits. hCG stimulates the development of natural male and female sex steroids. The increase in testosterone levels in males by the use of hCG would stimulate muscle development as with anabolic steroids. hCG is not banned in female athletes because it would not lead to muscle development and might naturally occur in high levels if the athlete is pregnant. The side effects of hCG in males are the same as those of anabolic steroids.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
LH is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. LH is important for maintaining normal levels of testosterone in the male and estrogen in the female. In women, a surge of LH during mid-cycle is the signal for ovulation. In men, excess LH or artificial LH derivatives (tamoxifen) would increase testosterone levels and have the same effects as anabolic steroids. Although no general side effects exist, any possible side effects might be similar to those of anabolic steroids.
Human Growth Hormone (hGH)
hGH is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland and is important for normal human growth and development, especially in children and teenagers. Low hGH levels in children and teenagers result in dwarfism. Excessive hGH levels increase muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis, strengthen bones by stimulating bone growth and reduce body fat by stimulating the breakdown of fat cells. Use of hGH has become increasingly popular because it is difficult to detect. Side effects include:
* Overgrowth of hands, feet, and face (acromegaly) because of the increased muscle and bone development in these parts
* Enlarged internal organs, especially heart, kidneys, tongue and liver
* Heart problems
Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1)
IGF-1, which is also called somatomedin-C, is a naturally occurring protein that helps in the action of hGH. It also stimulates protein synthesis and reduces fat. Excessive IGF-1 would increase muscle and bone mass as hGH does. Side effects include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and other side effects similar to hGH.
Insulin
Insulin is a natural protein hormone produced by the pancreas, which is important for metabolism of sugars, starches, fats, and proteins. It is necessary for the treatment of juvenile (Type 1) diabetes. In athletes, insulin combined with anabolic steroids or hGH could increase muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis. Side effects are mainly low blood sugar associated with shaking, nausea and weakness, but excessive hypoglycemia can lead to coma and death.
