The Physiological Effects on Hormones levels and Kidneys Functions Induced by The Anabolic Androgenic Drug (Sustanon) in Male Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Problem statement: In recent years, the intentional abuse of anabolic androgenic drugs by athletes has increased rapidly in many countries to become a serious negative phenomenon. Athletes, specially in power sports, abuse these drugs such as Sustanon in high doses to obtain a rapid and huge increasing in the muscles mass and to improve their performance during the sport competitions. This abuse causes severe adverse effects among the abusers. Approach: The present physiological study was performed to answer the following question: could Sustanon abuse induce marked abnormal alterations in some hormones levels and in the kidneys functions?. The current study was needed due to the lack of sufficient information about the hormonal and nephritic adverse effects caused by Sustanon abuse in particular. This study on male Guinea pigs aimed to investigate the potential abnormal alterations in the levels of some hormones and in the kidney functions induced by repeated administration of two Sustanon doses. The treated animals were injected intramuscularly (i.m.) once a week with Sustanon doses as follow (15 mg Kg^-1 in group G II and 30 mg Kg^-1 in group G III) for a continuous treatment period of 6 weeks. Results: The results of the blood biochemical measurements showed statistical significant decreases in means of the serum levels of: Triiodothyronine (TT3), Thyroxine (TT4) and Insulin specially in the treated group (G III) (0.42±0.38 ng mL^-1, 3.79±0.15 g dL^-1, 0.62±0.43 I.U mL^-1, respectively) compared to the control group according to (t-test). This was accompanied by significant increase in mean of cortisol serum levels in the treated group (G III) (63.44±4.90 g L^-1). At the same time, marked significant increases were recorded in the means of the serum levels of the blood compounds related to the kidney functions (Blood urea, Uric acid, Creatinine, Albumin and Na⁺ and K⁺) in the treated group (G III) (53.9±2.70, 4.76±0.62, 1.63±0.24 g dL^-1, 3.38±0.14 gm dL^-1, 10.73±1.65 and 143.8±9.55 mol L^-1, respectively) compared to control group according to (t-test). The results have been described and discussed in full details within the text. Conclusion/Recommendations: The current hormonal results proved the occurrence of severe abnormal alterations in the serum levels of the thyroid gland hormones, Cortisol and Insulin under the influence of Sustanon treatment. This indicated that abusing Sustanon for long periods by athletes can cause serious pathological hormonal disorders in the abusers. In addition, the present nephritic results can be considered as strong proof that abusing Sustanon for long periods by athletes can induce severe defects and disorders in the kidney functions. This may lead to cause serious pathological damages in the kidneys structure in the late stages. Due to these serious adverse effects, it is recommended that much more official and medical restrictions should be applied to prevent abusers from obtaining these drugs in order to decrease the continuation of this negative health problem. In addition, the study recommends also that athletes and youths should be provided with much more medical information and enlightenment about the health risks and the complications of abusing these drugs through media.