Anabolic Steroids Caroline Bocknek Table of Contents Background

Anabolic Steroids Caroline Bocknek

Table of Contents • Background ▫ ▫ Steroid Hormones Anabolic Steroids Brief history Controversy • Advantages and Disadvantages ▫ Advantages ▫ Disadvantages ▫ Summary • Effects ▫ Effects on the endocrine system ▫ Effects on homeostasis • Conclusion

Background

Steroid Hormones • Lipid-based • Lipid-soluble • Composed of four carbonbased rings • Diffuse through cell membranes • Bind to receptor proteins that start transcription

Anabolic Steroids • Compounds that are made to mimic male sex hormones • Come in the form of a pill, gel, cream, or injection • Used to build muscle mass in people who have anemia, osteoporosis, cancer, and HIV/AIDS • Used to treat problems that result in low testosterone levels

• In Canada, a prescription is needed to legally obtain anabolic steroids • There is a market for illegal anabolic steroids • In most competitive sports, the use of anabolic steroids is banned.

Brief History • First created in the 1930’s as an attempt to create synthetic testosterone • During the Second World War, artificial testosterone was found to be helpful for the performance of soldiers • Became popular among Olympic, professional, and even high school athletes • By 1976, steroid use was banned from the Olympics • In 1988, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act was passed

Controversy

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages • Greater muscle mass • Increased protein synthesis • Increased bone-mineral content • Higher red blood cell count • Faster healing • Higher self-esteem

Disadvantages

Disadvantages Short-Term Long-Term - Reduced sperm count (men) - Liver disease - Heart damage - Breast development (men) - Impotence - Testicle shrinkage (men) - Pain while urinating - Deepened voice (women) - Excessive hair growth (women) - Enlarged clitoris (women) - Breast reduction (women) - Abnormal menstrual cycles (women) - Acne - Heart attacks - Weight-gain - Damage to the liver - Higher blood pressure - Damage to reproductive organs - Swelling - Hair-loss - Water retention - Lowered HDL cholesterol and increased LDL cholesterol

Overall Effects • Can raise confidence, improve the absorption of minerals, lower body fat, and increase muscle mass • Gained muscle mass must be maintained through regular training • Steroid usage may also cause mood swings and depression (withdrawal symptoms)

Effects on the endocrine system and homeostasis

The Endocrine System • Over time, enzymes deactivate and break down a hormone that is no longer needed • One dose of an illegal anabolic steroid can be 10 to 100 times greater than a prescribed dose • Repeated injections make it difficult for the body to rid itself of extra hormones • The extra hormones put a strain on the body

Homeostasis • Many hormones are regulated by negative feedback loops • Regular injections of anabolic steroids disrupt these feedback loops

Conclusion

Conclusion • Anabolic steroids help build muscle mass, but only with regular training • Anabolic steroids can be legally prescribed to treat low levels of testosterone • Illegal steroids have disadvantages that outweigh their advantages • Excessive use can disrupt the endocrine system

Sources • http: //www. cesar. umd. edu/cesar/drugs/steroids. as p • http: //www. healthlinkbc. ca/kb/content/special/za 1 277. html • http: //www. bodybuilding. com/fun/billdobbins 6. ht m • http: //www. cs. stedwards. edu/chem/Chemistry/CH EM 43/CHEM 43/Steroids. HTML • http: //www. steroid. com/effects_of_steroids. php • http: //www. bodyteen. com/anen. html