Steroids Blog

According to results of a national survey published in the June issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals, more and more teenage girls are using steroids.

The survey noted that usage of steroids among girls is not just limited to those participating in competitive athletics. It was also noted that this was primarily influenced and associated with a cluster of other health-harming behaviors, including smoking and taking diet pills.

From Sciencedaily.com:

In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 7 percent of ninth-grade girls reported ever using anabolic steroids, according to background information in the article. During the 1990s, three national surveys indicated dramatic increases in the prevalence of teen girls using steroids. Previous analyses of female steroid use have focused on older women and found an association with competitive athletics and bodybuilding.

Diane L. Elliot, M.D., of the Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, and colleagues assessed anabolic steroid use among teen girls using a nationally representative sample of U.S. high schools completed in 2003. A total of 7,544 female students in grades nine through 12 completed the survey, which included questions about sports participation as well as steroids, ecstasy use and other illegal or unhealthy behaviors.

A total of 5.3 percent of the participants reported prior or ongoing steroid use. “Participating in team sports was negatively related to anabolic steroid use, such that those who were members of sports teams were less likely to self-report prior or ongoing anabolic steroid use,” the authors write.

The authors concluded that the findings hinted at important associations among girls who use steroids.

Athletes and bodybuilders making use of anabolic steroids to attain solid muscle gains and body strength run a high risk of destroying their kidney function, as per a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA.

The paper also highlighted the fact that long-term and habitual use of anabolic steroids may result in fatal health complications, especially on the kidneys.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Reports of professional athletes who abuse anabolic steroids are increasingly common. Most people know that using steroids is not good for your health, but until now, their effects on the kidneys have not been known. Leal Herlitz, MD (Columbia University Medical Center) and her colleagues recently conducted the first study describing injury to the kidneys following long-term abuse of anabolic steroids. The investigators studied a group of 10 bodybuilders who used steroids for many years and developed protein leakage into the urine and severe reductions in kidney function. Kidney tests revealed that nine of the ten bodybuilders developed a condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a type of scarring within the kidneys. This disease typically occurs when the kidneys are overworked. The kidney damage in the bodybuilders has similarities to that seen in morbidly obese patients, but appears to be even more severe.

When the bodybuilders discontinued steroid use their kidney abnormalities improved, with the exception of one individual with advanced kidney disease who developed end-stage kidney failure and required dialysis. Also, one of the bodybuilders started taking steroids again and suffered a relapse of severe kidney dysfunction.

The study was conducted in the lab of Dr. Vivette D’Agati, MD at Columbia Univeristy Medical Center. Study co-authors include Glen Markowitz, MD, Joshua Schwimmer, MD, Michael Stokes, MD, Cheryl Kunis, MD, Vivette D’Agati, MD, (Columbia University Medical Center); Alton Farris, MD, and Robert Colvin, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital).

Three defendants who were a part of the largest illegal steroids investigation on history in 2007 called “Operation Juice Box” was sentenced in a federal court on November 16. The operation was a part of “Operation Raw Deal”. It targets anabolic steroids trafficking as well as the import of raw materials mainly from China.

Bryan Wilson, 40, a former resident of Columbia but now lives in Kansas City was sentenced to two years and eleven months in federal prison. April Jones, 35, his former wife, faces only six months of imprisonment. Both sentences are not entitled to a parole.

Wilson faces charges of conspiracy to sell anabolic steroids and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Jones, on the other hand, faces one count of money laundering

The third defendant is Jason Varner, 35, of Jefferson City. He attempted to buy steroids worth $10,000. His case was separate although related to the two previous cases. He received three years probation with three months house arrest.

Wilson was arrested on September 15 where he was found to possess one kilogram of raw steroid powder at the Nifong UPS store. Wilson and his ex-wife used to deal steroids illegally from 2003 to September 15, 2007.

From Missourian:

COLUMBIA — Three defendants arrested as part of the largest illegal steroid investigation in history were sentenced in a federal court on Monday, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Missouri.

In what can be termed as a victory for doping scientists, Don Catlin and his team of researchers have been able to crack down the chemical formula of a synthetic designer steroid that was previously unknown.

After a spent syringe was anonymously provided to the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency), Catlin and his team started working on to identify this steroid so that steroid-taking sportsmen can very well understand that doping officials are doing their best to curb the use of steroids in sports.

From News-Medical.Net:

Urine samples were purposely spiked with the newly identified THG and various analyses carried out to determine how the substance could be detected. Although it is not detectable by standard doping control screening, THG was found to be easily detectable by alternate methods. Once detection methods were established, the substance was administered to a baboon both intravenously and intramuscularly, and its excreted urine collected for analysis. It was determined that THG is detectable in urine after both IV and IM administration.

The designer drug identified in this study is different from anabolic steroids previously found in athletes’ urine samples. The Food and Drug Administration has warned that its use could pose health risks, and it cannot be legally marketed without approval.

Lead researcher Catlin attributes this discovery to the provision of crucial inside information, and believes it to be a valuable contribution to doping control. He says, “Now that there’s a test for THG, anyone using it can get caught, and it’s unlikely to be found again in an athlete’s urine sample.”

THG is different from other forms of anabolic steroids that have been previously used by steroid-taking sportsmen and is detectable in urine after both IV and IM administration.

This discovery has surely brought a much-awaited relief to Catlin and many doping officials like him who have been trying their level best to ensure that sports and steroids do not get well at any juncture of time.

Shaun Loring, 45, former assistant football coach at Ventura College and his stepson, Travis Domm, 21 were charged of selling Ecstasy, the anabolic steroid Methandorstenolone and Hyrdocodone, an important  painkiller ingredient of drugs such as Vicodin and Norco. They were also charged of illegal possession of controlled substances such as Hyrdocodone and Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication.

The pair was arrested last May 2009 following discovery of steroids and several controlled pills during a search warrant served for Loring’s home and business. The illegal pills were found in a locked drawer with several business cards belonging to Travis Domm.

According to Adam Delgado, Ventura Police detective handling the case, their operation started in April when several undercover agents purchased anabolic steroids, Ecstasy and other controlled substances from Loring.

Delgado requested a bail of $750,000 for each but it was finally decided at $50,000 apiece. The bail is currently free from custody, as they have already posted bail.

Loring was additionally charged with possession of injection or ingestion device and carrying a switchblade knife.

If found guilty, the pair faces imprisonment of more than eight years in state prison. Loring and Domm, however, both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

From Ventura County Star:

A former volunteer assistant football coach at Ventura College and his stepson ran an illegal anabolic steroid and Ecstasy operation, importing large quantities of the controlled substances from outside the country, police alleged in court documents.

Synthetic growth hormones are substances that mimic the hormone produced by our pituitary gland. Because of this, the substance is hard to detect during screening tests within just a few hours after injecting it in the bloodstream. Unlike anabolic steroids, researchers still have some difficulties comprehending the full mechanism and effects of growth hormones on athletes. Even now, they are still in the process of developing a specific test to detect usage in athletes.

Growth hormones produce a more balanced muscle development. Athletes or any user who want to bulk up but do not want to look abnormally big on top prefer to use this over anabolic steroids. It also has some additional benefits to the body like helping it to recover faster from injuries.

Anabolic steroids on the other hand are substances similar to testosterone. It also aids in muscle development and is widely used by weightlifters, football players and even baseball players due to its particular effect in building upper body strength.

Back in 2003, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz and teammate Manny Ramirez were allegedly found to be using performance-enhancing drugs. Anabolic steroids can be detected in urine even after a few weeks from using it. It also has some side effects to it like hormonal imbalances, aggression, smaller testicles and hypertension.

From Boston.com:

Steroids are especially seductive for baseball players, where upper-body strength - for batting and pitching - are critical. Similarly, the man-made chemicals would appeal to football players, who also depend on upper-body brute force.

While steroids can help athletes pack a wallop, they aren’t likely to increase speed and would have no use in honing hand-eye coordination, specialists said. They also can lead to a raft of physical problems for users, including severe hormonal imbalances, shrunken testicles, and high blood pressure.

During the last few years, the usage of steroids in sports has come under a dark cloud with some people advocating that steroids should be removed from the world. Perhaps, they are still living in the Pre-Medieval Age.

The modern day sporting environments do not give a second chance to an athlete who is facing a slump and with the competition getting intense than ever, steroids in sports are nothing but a bitter truth.

From Entertainment.howstuffworks.com:

Athletes face enormous pressure to excel in competition. They also know that winning can reap them more than a gold medal. A star athlete can earn a lot of money and a lot of fame, and athletes only have a short time to do their best work. Athletes know that training is the best path to victory, but they also get the message that some drugs and other practices can boost their efforts and give them a shortcut, even as they risk their health and their athletic careers.

As far back as ancient Greece, athletes have often been willing to take any preparation that would improve their performance. But it appears that drug use increased in the 1960s. One well-publicized incident happened at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 when sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive for anabolic steroids and was stripped of his gold medal. Athletes may also misuse drugs to relax, cope with stress or boost their own confidence.

Athletes may have several reasons for using performance-enhancing drugs. An athlete may want to:

* Build mass and strength of muscles and/or bones
* Increase delivery of oxygen to exercising tissues
* Mask pain
* Stimulate the body
* Relax
* Reduce weight
* Hide use of other drugs

With so many benefits for a sportsman and relief from competition, the usage of steroids in sports perhaps will continue to flourish as long as the game goes on. After all, steroids are not harmful as they appear in the first parlance and those who refute the fact that they work need to think twice.

According to recent medical developments, anabolic steroids such as Winstrol (Stanozolol) and Anavar (Oxandrolone or Oxandrin) are gaining huge markets in the US marketplace because of their unmatched benefits and minimal or almost zero side-effects, when used discriminately.

In the last few years, Winstrol and Anavar faced a lot of debates but now the doubts have eroded for the benefits of professional athletes and bodybuilders, who long trusted these steroids for building lean muscle mass.

From Wikipedia.org:

In bodybuilding stanozolol is typically “stacked” with other testosterone-based anabolic steroids. Stanozolol is liked by many due to the fact it causes strength increases without excess weight-gain, promotes increases in vascularity,[citation needed] and will not convert to estrogen. It also does not cause excess water retention, and even sometimes is thought to have a diuretic effect on the body.[citation needed]

Stanozolol is commonly used by athletes and bodybuilders alike to lose fat while retaining lean body mass. It is usually used in a “cutting cycle”, to help preserve lean body mass while metabolizing adipose, although it has not been proven conclusively that it has any special fat-burning properties.

It is presented most commonly as a 50 mg/mL injection or a 5 mg tablet. However, recently 100 mg/mL versions have become available. A common dosage can be 10-25 mg/day orally and 25-50 mg daily injected, with optimal results usually seen at 50 mg/day. It is reduced to micrometer particles in aqueous suspension and does not have a typical elimination half-life. Authentic stanozolol can easily be seen, because it will separate in its container if left undisturbed for a number of hours (the micronized crystal will fall to the bottom, and the water suspension will rise to the top). It has a white, milky color

As opposed to most other anabolic steroids Oxandrolone has two major advantages: First, it does not aromatize (convert to estrogen which causes gynecomastia - breast tissue). Second, it does not significantly influence the body’s normal testosterone production (HPTA axis) at low dosages (10mgs). When dosages are high (this goes for any anabolic steroid) then your body feels that it has enough testosterone and it reduces the production of LH (luteinizing hormone) which no longer stimulates Leydig cells in testicles to produce testosterone therefore causing testicular atrophy (shrinking). Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is of course needed for high dosages (40–50 mg) of this synthetic derivative of testosterone because as the dosage increases the influence on HPTA is bigger. Lack of PCT will of course lead to protein catabolism until body’s normal testosterone secretion is back to normal.

The optimum benefits of Winstrol and Anavar can be experiences when stacked with other anabolic steroids such as Dianabol, Deca Durabolin, and Clomid.

According to a leading hair clinic the premature baldness is becoming an alarming complaint among men who use designer drugs. Optima Hair Specialists - which supplies advanced hair replacement systems - has seen a 60 percent increase in enquiries from men who have taken anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and suffered early hair loss.

Recent studies have found that steroid drugs can increase the levels of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within the body and therefore accelerate hair loss.

From Medical News Today:

AAS are believed to stimulate Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - a powerful sex hormone that triggers baldness in men.

Peter Murtha, founder of Optima Hair Specialists, said: “It is widely accepted that DHT has an adverse affect on hair follicles and is the main culprit behind male pattern baldness. Recent studies have found that steroid drugs can increase the levels of DHT within the body and therefore accelerate hair loss.

“Alarmingly, we’ve seen a significant rise in enquiries from men who have taken steroids and subsequently suffered from premature baldness. I feel it’s crucial to warn others of the potential dangers, so they can avoid the side effects of AAS.”

Peter added: “If you have taken steroids and suffered premature baldness, all is not lost. There are treatments and solutions available to help you regain your head of hair and your confidence. At Optima, we provide a range of advanced hair replacement systems that tackle your hair loss, improve your appearance and boost your self-esteem.”

Based in Birmingham, Optima Hair Specialists offers clients a discreet and personal service, providing tailor-made hair replacement procedures and expert advice from a team of renowned specialists.

Dihydrotestosterone has an adverse effect on hair follicles and is the main culprit behind hair loss. Anabolic steroids are known to produce several side effects including excessive sweating, insomnia, heightened aggression and male pattern hair loss.

As per a recently concluded research, an appetite-stimulating hormone has been identified that can offer the ability to treat common ailments of muscle atrophy.

Muscular Atrophy is referred to as a debilitating process, which results in an extensive loss of muscle function and mass. This condition results in worsening of the quality of life and can occur with aging, inadequate food intake, and nerve injury.

As per Andrea Graziani, PhD., study’s co-author, molecular biologist with the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and the Biotechnology Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy, Des-acyl ghrelin, which is a form of ghrelin and an appetite-stimulating hormone in the body, can be used to treat patients with muscular atrophy.

From News-Medical.Net:

Currently, there are few options to treat the problem. Some of the treatments, such as anabolic steroids (testosterone) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IFG-1), raise concerns about safety and effectiveness, said study co-author Andrea Graziani, PhD. He is a molecular biologist with the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and the Biotechnology Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.

“Because of the wide impact of muscular atrophy on public health, it is of pivotal importance to find new and better drug strategies to treat it,” Graziani said.

Graziani and his co-workers are studying des-acyl ghrelin, a form of ghrelin, the appetite-stimulating hormone found in the body. Until recently, researchers thought that des-acyl ghrelin was inactive because it does not share the main activities of ghrelin-stimulating appetite, fat and the release of growth hormone.

However, Graziani’s group recently found that des-acyl ghrelin shares some biological activities with ghrelin, such as stimulating differentiation of other cells, including-important to this study-cells that are precursors to skeletal muscle cells.

In this new study, the researchers discovered that des-acyl ghrelin has a direct anti-atrophic activity on the skeletal muscle of mice with muscular atrophy caused by either denervation (nerve injury) or fasting. Mice that were genetically altered to have increased levels of des-acyl ghrelin had less skeletal muscle loss than the untreated control mice. This held true for both causes of muscular atrophy.

The study was Graziani and his team is expected to provide new treatment avenues for treating muscular atrophy. This study was supported by Telethon, Regione Piemonte, and the Italian Ministry for University and Research.