RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The importance of the present study comes from the lack of sufficient information about the reversibility of the potential hepatic histopathological alterations which may result from anabolic androgenic drugs abuse by "Cycling" protocol. So, the aim of this study is to explore the negative effects of Deca-Durabolin abuse in hepatic function and structure during an administration cycle. METHODS: For our purpose, study was performed on 40 male adult mices. Animals were divided into five groups of 8 animals each treated weekly by Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) at 30 g/kg of BW during one month (GI); during two months (GII); during three months (GIII); during three months followed by six weeks of treatment discontinuation (GIV) and Control (C). Plasma assay of liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and cytohistological examination to determine the histopathological damage properties of the liver were performed. RESULTS: Our results showed that the animals supported very well the administrated substance. Our study showed an increase in plasma levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST) with the duration of treatment accompanied by important degenerative changes in hepatic tissue with peliosis evolution after two months of treatment. These damages worsen again 6 weeks after stopping treatment and ended by the development of hepatic steatosis with increases hepatic distress. CONCLUSION: These results ported that the use of AAS with "Cycling" may lead to the development of hepatic steatosis before progressing to more serious pathological liver situations in AAS abusers.