Anabolic steroid use can increase heart disease risk

[madman]

Anabolic steroid use can increase heart disease risk

<p>People using anabolic steroids could be increasing their underlying risk of a heart condition called atrial fibrillation according to a new study in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1113/JP284597">the Journal of Physiology</a> led by University of Birmingham and collaborators in Germany.</p>

www.eurekalert.org

Taking testosterone may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in individuals with existing predisposition


People using anabolic steroids could be increasing their underlying risk of a heart condition called atrial fibrillation, a new study has found.

The new research published in the Journal of Physiology conducted by an interdisciplinary consortium of clinicians and researchers led by the University of Birmingham and collaborators in Germany.

The team found that male sex hormones, such as testosterone, also called androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS), which are misused for muscle building particularly among in young men can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in individuals genetically predisposed to heart diseases.

Dr. Laura Sommerfeld, Postdoctoral Researcher at the UKE Hamburg, who completed her PhD at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Birmingham focusing on this work is the lead author of the study.

Dr Sommerfeld said: “Our study can significantly contribute to understanding the impact on the heart health of young men who misuse anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass. Recent reports have shown that young men in particular are being targeted on social media such as TikTok being sold testosterone products, but we have shown how the misuse of steroids carries a specific risk that many people will not be aware of.”

Professor Larissa Fabritz, Chair of Inherited Cardiac Conditions at UKE Hamburg and Honorary Chair in the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Birmingham added:

“Heart muscle diseases like ARVC affect young, athletic individuals and can lead to life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances. Atrial fibrillation is a common condition in the general population. Elevated testosterone levels can result in an earlier onset of these diseases.”

The scientists examined potential effects on a condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which is genetically determined and primarily attributed to disruptions in the formation of cell connections critical for heart muscle stability.

The scientists initially confirmed, based on clinical patient data from UHB and elsewhere, that ARVC occurs more frequently and severely in men than in women. In laboratory experiments, they discovered that six weeks of AAS intake, combined with impaired cell connections, could lead to reduced sodium channel function in heart tissue and a slowing of signal conduction within the atria.

Dr Andrew Holmes, co-author and Assistant Professor in the Institute of Clinical Sciences at the University of Birmingham said:

"This work implies that young male individuals with key inherited genetic changes have a greater risk of developing electrical problems in the heart in response to anabolic steroid abuse."

 

[madman]

https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP284597

Reduce plakoglobin increases the risk of sodium current defects and artrial conduction abnormalities in response to androgenic anabolic steroids (2024)


Translational perspective

Our results show that atrial arrhythmias are an important clinical feature of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and confirm that males are more likely to show a full ARVC phenotype. We demonstrate a previously unknown interaction between defective desmosomal gene expression and exposure to androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) in atria. This might explain, in part, the occurrence of atrial conduction slowing and arrhythmias (Akcakoyun et al., 2014; Furlanello et al., 2007; Nieschlag & Vorona, 2015) in athletes using AAS to enhance their performance. Based on our results, searching for desmosomal gene defects in known steroid users with atrial arrhythmias seems warranted. Such analyses might add to a better understanding of the cardiac damage observed in some of these patients.

Our data, gained from well-controlled murine experiments, demonstrate that reduced expression of plakoglobin, as commonly observed in cardiac tissue of patients with pathogenic mutations in a variety of desmosomal genes (Asimaki et al., 2009), renders atria more susceptible to AAS-induced pathology. Prevention of atrial arrhythmias in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies is also of interest because they can give rise to inappropriate defibrillator shocks in affected patients (Camm et al., 2013; Takehara et al., 2004) and further compromise heart function.

We add exposure to AAS to the list of stimuli aggravating pro-arrhythmic phenotypes in carriers of desmosomal mutations and demonstrate that this affects atrial electrical function. Our data provide an explanation for the stronger phenotypic expression in male gene carriers with desmosomal mutations and the observed worse clinical outcome in ARVC patients with high physiological testosterone levels (Akdis et al., 2017; Antoniades et al., 2006; Asimaki et al., 2007; McKoy et al., 2000; Protonotarios et al., 2001).

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

I have noticed although not often and only lasts a few days, fibrillation. But my doctor said lay off caffeine and get good rest. Now I know it could be a combo of TRT, caffeine, and lack of sleep or increase stress. Ive had no symptoms for a good while now

 

[madman]

High Testosterone Levels: Impact on the Heart

Abstract Testosterone, the main endogenous active androgen, is used to treat many clinical conditions, such as hypogonadism, infertility, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, anemia, and in transgender therapy (female-to-male transsexuals). Androgens are also used by athletes to enhance...

www.excelmale.com

Summary Points

• Testosterone, the main endogenous active androgen, is used to treat many clinical conditions

• Testosterone and other androgens are also used by athletes, non athlete weightlifters or bodybuilders to enhance muscle development, strength, and performance and endurance

• Testosterone at supraphysiological levels increases cardiovascular disease risk, causes myocardial infarction, stroke, high blood pressure, blood clots, and heart failure

• Testosterone affects the cardiovascular system by changing lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, hemostatic mechanisms, sympathetic nervous system, and renin angiotensin-aldosterone system

• Testosterone activates proinflammatory and redox processes, decreases nitric oxide bioavailability, and stimulates vasoconstrictor signaling pathways

• Testosterone affects the vasculature by interfering with all mechanisms that control vascular function

• In the endothelium, testosterone modulates NO, COX-derived metabolites and EDHF release and signaling

• In VSMCs, testosterone modulates ROS generation, expression, and activity of receptors and ion channels

 

[MarcoFL]

I have noticed although not often and only lasts a few days, fibrillation. But my doctor said lay off caffeine and get good rest. Now I know it could be a combo of TRT, caffeine, and lack of sleep or increase stress. Ive had no symptoms for a good while now

hate to admit but coffee is a problem in many ways. I cut back to 2 cups only now to see if that helps with afternoon fatigue and other....

 

[Mastodont]

High Testosterone Levels: Impact on the Heart

Abstract Testosterone, the main endogenous active androgen, is used to treat many clinical conditions, such as hypogonadism, infertility, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, anemia, and in transgender therapy (female-to-male transsexuals). Androgens are also used by athletes to enhance...

www.excelmale.com

Summary Points

• Testosterone, the main endogenous active androgen, is used to treat many clinical conditions

• Testosterone and other androgens are also used by athletes, non athlete weightlifters or bodybuilders to enhance muscle development, strength, and performance and endurance

• Testosterone at supraphysiological levels increases cardiovascular disease risk, causes myocardial infarction, stroke, high blood pressure, blood clots, and heart failure

• Testosterone affects the cardiovascular system by changing lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, hemostatic mechanisms, sympathetic nervous system, and renin angiotensin-aldosterone system

• Testosterone activates proinflammatory and redox processes, decreases nitric oxide bioavailability, and stimulates vasoconstrictor signaling pathways

• Testosterone affects the vasculature by interfering with all mechanisms that control vascular function

• In the endothelium, testosterone modulates NO, COX-derived metabolites and EDHF release and signaling

• In VSMCs, testosterone modulates ROS generation, expression, and activity of receptors and ion channels

I really wish there was some actual data on the point of diminishing returns, as stated also in the study, hypogonadal levels are also detrimental to health, i guess you cannot go too wrong when keeping within the reference range, stlll makes you wonder if top of that range is already causing unwanted effects for some.