Citation

Nascimento JH, Medei E. Mini Rev. Med. Chem. 2011; 11(5): 425-429.

Affiliation

Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho - CCS - Bloco G - UFRJ, 21941-902 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. jhmn@biof.ufrj.br.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Bentham Science Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21443509

Abstract

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic testosterone derivatives developed to maximise anabolic activity and minimise androgenic activity. AAS abuse is widespread among both athletes and non-athletes at fitness centres and is becoming a public health issue. In addition to their atherogenic, thrombogenic and spastic effects, AAS have direct cardiotoxic effects by causing hypertrophy, electrical and structural remodelling, and contractile dysfunction and by increasing the susceptibility to ischemic injuries. All of these factors contribute to an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

Language: en