Anabolic SteroidsBy Matthew Takamatsu and Stephen Jablonski

How Anabolic Steroids Work

Anabolic steroids are drugs that resemble androgenic hormones such as testosterone

Anabolic steroids have been manufactured to enhance the anabolic properties (tissue building)

Steroid hormones work by stimulation of receptor molecules in muscle cells, which activate specific genes to produce proteins. They also affect the activation rate of enzyme systems involved in protein metabolism, thus enhancing protein synthesis and inhibiting protein degradation

Biochemistry of Anabolic Steroids

Steroids are fat-soluble hormones with a tetracyclic base structure

The base structure consists of four fused rings: three cyclohexane rings and one cyclopentane

Steroids can easily diffuse across the cell membrane into the cytoplasm

Reasons For Taking Anabolic Steroids

1. Improve athletic ability

2. Increase muscle size and strength

3. Used for medical reasons

Anemia

Osteoporosis

Breast cancer

Asthma

Physiological Effects in Men and Women

Men Reduced sperm count

Damage to heart

Impotence

Difficulty or pain while urinating

Liver disease or liver cancer

Development of breasts

Shrinking of the testicles

Women Breast reduction

Excessive hair growth

Deepened voice

Enlarged clitoris

Abnormal menstrual cycles

Other Side Effects Of Anabolic Steroid Use

Skin irritations

Irritability (roid rage)

Oily skin and acne

Mood swings

Psychiatric disorders (depression)

Bone and tendon damage

Fluid retention

Joint pain

Impaired glucose regulation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BliPhxYnVtw

Anabolic Steroids in Athletics

Anabolic steroids are referred to as performance enhancing drugs in sports

Anabolic steroids are believed to enhance athletic performance

Anabolic steroids are banned in most to all major sports and leagues (NFL, NHL, MLB, Olympic games, MLS, etc…)

Drug testing has been implemented in sports

Medical Uses for Anabolic Steroids

Treatment of breast cancer: Anabolic steroids have been reported to slow the development of some, but not all, breast cancer in some women

Treatment of hypogonadism: Testosterone is given as a replacement hormone if the testes either do not produce enough hormone or if the testes are damaged or removed

Anemia prevention: anabolic steroids have been used when the kidneys begin to fail in chronic kidney disease to help stimulate red blood cell production and prevent anemia

Osteoporosis treatment: Anabolic steroids help increase bone density and are used as short-term treatment in osteoporosis patients

Treatment of asthma: Steroids and other anti-inflamitory drugs are used to help control asthma and prevent asthma attacks