Anabolic-androgenic steroids on cardiac structure and function in resistance-trained athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are widely used by resistance-trained athletes, but their effects on cardiac structure and function remain uncertain.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of AAS on cardiac structure and function using echocardiography.
METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of AAS on echocardiographic parameters in athletes, using a random-effects model and Review Manager 5.4.1.
RESULTS: We included 35 studies with 2000 male individuals (834 resistance-trained athletes using AAS vs 754 resistance-trained non-users vs 412 sedentary controls; mean age 32 years). Compared with non-users of AAS, AAS users was associated with a decrease in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (MD -2.25 %; 95 % CI -3.41 to -1.09; p < 0.01), and global longitudinal strain (GLS) (MD 3.34 %; 95 % CI 2.93 to 3.76; p < 0.01). Athletes who used AAS also had an increased septal wall thickness (MD 1.24 mm; 95 % CI 0.79 to 1.69; p < 0.01), posterior wall thickness (MD 1.09 mm; 95 % CI 0.70 to 1.48; p < 0.01) and LV mass (MD 13.29 g; 95 % CI 6.25 to 20.33; p < 0.01). LV end-diastolic diameter was also higher among AAS users (MD 1.09 mm; 95 % CI 0.44 to 1.73; p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Among athletes, AAS was associated with a significant decrease in LV ejection fraction and GLS, alongside with increased septal and posterior wall thickness, LV mass, and end-diastolic diameter compared with athletes who do not use AAS. These findings suggest…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Induced osteoblast differentiation by amide derivatives of stilbene: The possible osteogenic agents
- On model selections for repeated measurement data in clinical studies
- Regulation of GLUT transporters by flavonoids in androgen-sensitive and -insensitive prostate cancer cells
- Region-specific microRNA signatures in the human epididymis
- Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking of 4-Amino-2H-benzo[h]chromen-2-one (ABO) analogs containing the piperazine moiety
- In Vitro characterization of the endocrine disrupting effects of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on the human androgen receptor
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.