The Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Organ Failure in Bodybuilders - a Review of Actual Literature

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS), despite their therapeutic applications in the management of selected medical conditions, are increasingly being misused for non-medical purposes—particularly among bodybuilders and individuals seeking to enhance their physique. This review article examines the im...

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Main Authors: Julia Marcinkowska, Mateusz Szymon Muras, Tomasz Lorenc, Maciej Michalik, Krzysztof Marcinkowski, Jakub Mikszta, Natalia Mikszta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2025-05-01
Series:Quality in Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60236
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author Julia Marcinkowska
Mateusz Szymon Muras
Tomasz Lorenc
Maciej Michalik
Krzysztof Marcinkowski
Jakub Mikszta
Natalia Mikszta
author_facet Julia Marcinkowska
Mateusz Szymon Muras
Tomasz Lorenc
Maciej Michalik
Krzysztof Marcinkowski
Jakub Mikszta
Natalia Mikszta
author_sort Julia Marcinkowska
collection DOAJ
description Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS), despite their therapeutic applications in the management of selected medical conditions, are increasingly being misused for non-medical purposes—particularly among bodybuilders and individuals seeking to enhance their physique. This review article examines the impact of chronic AAS administration on the functionality of selected human organs and physiological systems. Based on current clinical and preclinical evidence, the biological mechanisms of AAS action are discussed, with particular emphasis on their affinity for androgen receptors and modulation of intracellular signaling pathways. The paper presents robust evidence of the adverse effects associated with AAS use, including cardiomyopathies, renal dysfunction, neuropsychiatric disorders (notably increased aggression and depressive symptoms), hepatotoxicity, and metabolic disturbances. Special attention is given to the potential mechanisms underlying AAS-induced toxicity, as well as the reversibility of the observed pathological alterations. The findings underscore the necessity for intensified health education and systematic monitoring of individuals using AAS, due to the elevated risk of irreversible, multisystem complications.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2450-3118
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
record_format Article
series Quality in Sport
spelling doaj-art-0aee9d35f0a047349f3e373263c9ca7e2025-08-20T03:53:18ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-05-014110.12775/QS.2025.41.60236The Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Organ Failure in Bodybuilders - a Review of Actual LiteratureJulia Marcinkowska0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7006-4303Mateusz Szymon Muras1https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1392-3773Tomasz Lorenc2https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9902-469XMaciej Michalik3https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7799-7252Krzysztof Marcinkowski4https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5759-7285Jakub Mikszta5https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4194-9915Natalia Mikszta6https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8444-7650Śląski Uniwersytet MedycznyŚląski Uniwersytet MedycznyŚląski Uniwersytet MedycznyŚląski Uniwersytet MedycznyŚląski Uniwersytet MedycznyUniwersytet OpolskiŚląski Uniwersytet Medyczny Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS), despite their therapeutic applications in the management of selected medical conditions, are increasingly being misused for non-medical purposes—particularly among bodybuilders and individuals seeking to enhance their physique. This review article examines the impact of chronic AAS administration on the functionality of selected human organs and physiological systems. Based on current clinical and preclinical evidence, the biological mechanisms of AAS action are discussed, with particular emphasis on their affinity for androgen receptors and modulation of intracellular signaling pathways. The paper presents robust evidence of the adverse effects associated with AAS use, including cardiomyopathies, renal dysfunction, neuropsychiatric disorders (notably increased aggression and depressive symptoms), hepatotoxicity, and metabolic disturbances. Special attention is given to the potential mechanisms underlying AAS-induced toxicity, as well as the reversibility of the observed pathological alterations. The findings underscore the necessity for intensified health education and systematic monitoring of individuals using AAS, due to the elevated risk of irreversible, multisystem complications. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60236anabolic androgenic steroidsdepressionleft ventricular dysfunctionacute kidney injury (AKI)
spellingShingle Julia Marcinkowska
Mateusz Szymon Muras
Tomasz Lorenc
Maciej Michalik
Krzysztof Marcinkowski
Jakub Mikszta
Natalia Mikszta
The Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Organ Failure in Bodybuilders - a Review of Actual Literature
Quality in Sport
anabolic androgenic steroids
depression
left ventricular dysfunction
acute kidney injury (AKI)
title The Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Organ Failure in Bodybuilders - a Review of Actual Literature
title_full The Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Organ Failure in Bodybuilders - a Review of Actual Literature
title_fullStr The Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Organ Failure in Bodybuilders - a Review of Actual Literature
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Organ Failure in Bodybuilders - a Review of Actual Literature
title_short The Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Organ Failure in Bodybuilders - a Review of Actual Literature
title_sort impact of anabolic androgenic steroids on organ failure in bodybuilders a review of actual literature
topic anabolic androgenic steroids
depression
left ventricular dysfunction
acute kidney injury (AKI)
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60236
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