This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in JAMA  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Paul D. Thompson, MD; Eileen M. Cullinane; Stanley P. Sady, PhD; Claire Chenevert; Ann L. Saritelli; Mina A. Sady; Peter N. Herbert, MD

JAMA. 1989;261(8):1165-1168.

Abstract
Oral anabolic steroids produce striking reductions in serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. We hypothesized that this effect related to their route of administration and was unrelated to their androgenic potency. We administered oral stanozolol (6 mg/d) or supraphysiological doses of intramuscular testosterone enanthate (200 mg/wk) to 11 male weight lifters for six weeks in a crossover design. Stanozolol reduced HDL-cholesterol and the HDL₂ subfraction by 33% and 71%, respectively. In contrast, testosterone decreased HDL-cholesterol concentration by only 9% and the decrease was in the HDL₃ subfraction. Apolipoprotein A-I level decreased 40% during stanozolol but only 8% during testosterone treatment. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration increased 29% with stanozolol and decreased 16% with testosterone treatment. Stanozolol, moreover, increased postheparin hepatic triglyceride lipase activity by 123%, whereas the maximum change during testosterone therapy ( + 25%) was not significant. Weight gain was similar with both drugs, but testosterone was more effective in suppressing gonadotropic hormones. We conclude that the undesirable lipoprotein effects of 17--alkylated steroids given orally are different from those of parenteral testosterone and that the latter may be preferable in many clinical situations.

(JAMA. 1989;261:1165-1168)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, and Brown University Program in Medicine, Providence, RI (Drs Thompson, Sady, and Herbert; Ms Cullinane; Ms Chenevert; and Ms Sady).

Footnotes
Presented in part at the American Heart Association's 60th Session, Anaheim, Calif, November 17, 1987.

Reprint requests to The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Ave, Providence, RI 02906 (Dr Thompson).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Development of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis after Anabolic Steroid Abuse
Herlitz et al.
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 2010;21:163-172.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Dark Side of Testosterone Deficiency: III. Cardiovascular Disease
Traish et al.
J Androl 2009;30:477-494.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Vascular Sensitivity to Phenylephrine in Rats Submitted to Anaerobic Training and Nandrolone Treatment
Cunha et al.
Hypertension 2005;46:1010-1015.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The CAG Repeat Polymorphism in the Androgen Receptor Gene Is Associated with HDL-Cholesterol but Not with Coronary Atherosclerosis or Myocardial Infarction
Hersberger et al.
Clin. Chem. 2005;51:1110-1115.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids on apolipoproteins and lipoprotein (a)
Hartgens et al.
Br. J. Sports. Med. 2004;38:253-259.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Testosterone for secondary prevention in men with ischaemic heart disease?
Malkin et al.
QJM 2003;96:521-529.
FULL TEXT  

Testosterone and Atherosclerosis Progression in Men
Bhasin and Herbst
Diabetes Care 2003;26:1929-1931.
FULL TEXT  

Testosterone administration to men increases hepatic lipase activity and decreases HDL and LDL size in 3 wk
Herbst et al.
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 2003;284:E1112-E1118.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Androgens and Coronary Artery Disease
Wu and von Eckardstein
Endocr. Rev. 2003;24:183-217.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of an oral androgen on muscle and metabolism in older, community-dwelling men
Schroeder et al.
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 2003;284:E120-E128.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Metabolic effects of nandrolone decanoate and resistance training in men with HIV
Sattler et al.
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 2002;283:E1214-E1222.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of Transdermal Testosterone on Lipids and Vascular Reactivity in Older Men With Low Bioavailable Testosterone Levels
Kenny et al.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2002;57:M460-M465.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Andropause: Clinical Implications of the Decline in Serum Testosterone Levels With Aging in Men
Matsumoto
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2002;57:M76-M99.
FULL TEXT  

The Effects of Varying Doses of T on Insulin Sensitivity, Plasma Lipids, Apolipoproteins, and C-Reactive Protein in Healthy Young Men
Singh et al.
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2002;87:136-143.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases
Basaria et al.
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2001;86:5108-5117.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Interrelationships among Lipoprotein Levels, Sex Hormones, Anthropometric Parameters, and Age in Hypogonadal Men Treated for 1 Year with a Permeation-Enhanced Testosterone Transdermal System
Dobs et al.
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2001;86:1026-1033.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Androgenic anabolic steroids and arterial structure and function in male bodybuilders
Sader et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2001;37:224-230.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of Testosterone on Coronary Vasomotor Regulation in Men With Coronary Heart Disease
Webb et al.
Circulation 1999;100:1690-1696.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Current Status of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men
Winters
Arch Fam Med 1999;8:257-263.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Anabolic Effects of Nandrolone Decanoate in Patients Receiving Dialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Johansen et al.
JAMA 1999;281:1275-1281.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Health aspects of partially defatted flaxseed, including effects on serum lipids, oxidative measures, and ex vivo androgen and progestin activity: a controlled crossover trial
Jenkins et al.
Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1999;69:395-402.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Vascular reactivity is impaired in genetic females taking high-dose androgens
McCredie et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 1998;32:1331-1335.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Suppression of Endogenous Testosterone in Young Men Increases Serum Levels of High Density Lipoprotein Subclass Lipoprotein A-I and Lipoprotein(a)
von Eckardstein et al.
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1997;82:3367-3372.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of a Multidimensional Anabolic Steroid Prevention Intervention: The Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS) Program
Goldberg et al.
JAMA 1996;276:1555-1562.
ABSTRACT  

Questions and Answers
Goldberg
JAMA 1996;276:257-257.
 

Androgens in Men -- Uses and Abuses
Bagatell and Bremner
NEJM 1996;334:707-715.
FULL TEXT  

Effects of Androgens on Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis and Atherosclerosis-Related Impairment of Vascular Responsiveness
Adams et al.
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio. 1995;15:562-570.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Lower Endogenous Androgen Levels and Dyslipidemia in Men with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Barrett-Connor
ANN INTERN MED 1992;117:807-811.
ABSTRACT  

Physiologic Testosterone Levels in Normal Men Suppress High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels
Bagatell et al.
ANN INTERN MED 1992;116:967-973.
ABSTRACT  

Secondary Dyslipidemia: Inadvertent Effects of Drugs in Clinical Practice
Henkin et al.
JAMA 1992;267:961-968.
ABSTRACT  

Atherogenic Effects of Anabolic Steroids on Serum Lipid Levels: A Literature Review
Glazer
Arch Intern Med 1991;151:1925-1933.
ABSTRACT  

Medical and Nonmedical Uses of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids
Council on Scientific Affairs
JAMA 1990;264:2923-2927.
ABSTRACT