The anabolic-androgenic steroid nandrolone induces alterations in the density of serotonergic 5HT1B and 5HT2 receptors in the male rat brain.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are partly misused by males in order to become brave and intoxicated and these agents are highly associated with psychosis, disinhibition, aggression and acts of violence. Since such behavioral states have been related to an imbalanced serotonergic system and the involvement of the serotonergic 5HT(1B) and the 5HT(2) receptors, it was important to discern the impact of AAS on these receptors. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of 2 weeks of treatment with the AAS nandrolone decanoate at three different doses (1, 5, 15 mg/kg/day) on the total specific binding of the radioligands [(125)I]-(+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) (5HT(2) receptors) by autoradiography. All doses caused a significant down-regulation of the 5HT(1B) receptor density in the hippocampal CA(1) and in the medial globus pallidus and a significant up-regulation of the 5HT(2) receptor density in the nucleus accumbens shell. Alterations in receptor density were also observed in the lateral globus pallidus, ventromedial hypothalamus, the amygdala and in the intermediate layers of various cortex regions. In conclusion, serotonergic 5HT(1B) or 5HT(2) receptors are likely to play important roles in mediating observed emotional states and behavioral changes among AAS abusers.

Adolescent use of anabolic-androgenic steroids and relations to self-reports of social, personality and health aspects.

BACKGROUND: Over the last decade adolescent males have been shown to use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) in order to improve their sports performance and appearance, as well as in combination with alcohol and psychotropic drugs. However, the risk profile of AAS use is still not well understood. This study analysed the importance of social, personality and health factors for the use of AAS. METHODS: More than 2,700 senior high school students in Uppsala, Sweden, filled out an anonymous closed-response questionnaire. RESULTS: The findings from multiple logistic regression analyses of adolescent males (n = 1,353) showed that immigrant status, average/low self-esteem, average/low perceived school achievement and use of prescription tranquillisers/sedatives had independent significant associations with the use of AAS after controlling for age and previously known factors such as strength training, truancy and heavy alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of AAS users extend beyond activities such as strength training and multiple drug use to include social, personality and health aspects.

The anabolic-androgenic steroid nandrolone decanoate affects the density of dopamine receptors in the male rat brain.

In recent years a male group of anabolic-androgenic steroid misusers has been identified to share socio-demographic and personality related background factors with misusers of psychotropic substances, as well as being involved in habits of multiple drug use. The present study aimed to assess whether anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) would affect the density of the dopamine receptors in areas implicated in reward and behaviour in the male rat brain. The effects of 2 weeks of treatment with i.m. injections of nandrolone decanoate (15 mg/kg/day) on the expression of the D(1)-like and D(2)-like receptors were evaluated by autoradiography. Specific binding of D(1)-like receptors was significantly down regulated in the caudate putamen, the nucleus accumbens core and shell. D(2)-like receptor densities were down regulated in the nucleus accumbens shell, but up regulated in the caudate putamen, the nucleus accumbens core and the ventral tegmental area. These results are compatible with nandrolone induced neuroadaptive alterations in dopamine circuits associated with motor functions and behavioural paradigms known to be affected following AAS misuse.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids affect the content of substance P and substance P(1-7) in the rat brain.

The effects of intramuscular (i.m.) injections of nandrolone decanoate (15 mg/kg/day), an anabolic-androgenic steroid, on the levels of substance P (SP) and on its N-terminal fragment SP(1-7) were examined in the male rat brain by radioimmunoassay. The results demonstrated that the SP immunoreactivity in amygdala, hypothalamus, striatum, and periaqueductal gray was significantly enhanced, whereas the concentration of the N-terminal fragment SP(1-7) was enhanced in the nucleus accumbens and in periaqueductal gray. In the striatum the steroid induced a decrease in the content of SP(1-7). The relevance of these peptides in connection with anabolic-androgenic steroid-induced aggression is discussed.

Factors associated with adolescent use of doping agents: anabolic-androgenic steroids.

AIMS: The purpose was to assess the importance of risk factors such as socio-demographics, sports activities, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, use of certain psychotropic substances and violence in the use of doping agents in adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using anonymous closed response questionnaire. SETTING: Eight senior high schools in Uppsala, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2742 senior high school students; 1592 were in their first year (aged 16-17 years) and 1150 in their third (aged 18-19 years). FINDINGS: Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that strength training, tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, truancy at least once a week and living alone were significantly independently associated in the use of doping agents. Further, the study showed that use of cannabis oil, LSD, amphetamine and opioids were related specifically to anabolic-androgenic steroid use. CONCLUSIONS: Use of doping agents probably involves more than a desire to enhance appearance or sports performance and appears to have much in common with use of alcohol, tobacco and psychotropic drugs.

Doping among high school students in Uppsala, Sweden: A presentation of the attitudes, distribution, side effects, and extent of use.

The aim of this study was to determine the extent of doping drug use among adolescents in Uppsala, Sweden, and to analyse the main reasons for the use. An anonymous multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed among pupils in the first and the third grades at high school; 2,742 pupils participated in the study. The results showed that 2.7% of the male and 0.4% of the female adolescents had used doping drugs at some time in their life. However, knowledge of how to get doping drugs far exceeded use. The main reasons for using doping drugs were to improve appearance and to enhance performance in sports. Some boys self-reported side effects of AAS. Despite the still predominantly negative attitude toward doping prevention programs have to be taken.