Author(s): DALVIT, L., LAVEZ, G., AGUILAR, B., BERNAL, J., PAIXÃO, T., SOUZA, H., Institution: RIBEIRÃO PRETO MEDICAL SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO, Country: BRAZIL, Abstract-ID: 2667

INTRODUCTION:
Little is known about the effects on cardiac tissue resulting from the indiscriminate use of anabolic-androgenic steroids among individuals engaged in resistance training (RT). This study presents the histomorphometric repercussions on the hearts of rats subjected to RT associated with treatment with nandrolone decanoate, an anabolic-androgenic steroid.
METHODS:
Thirty-two Wistar rats (18 weeks old) were used and divided into two groups (N = 16): vehicle group (VEH; 5 mg/kg i.m., peanut oil) and nandrolone decanoate-treated group (NAN; 5 mg/kg i.m.) for 12 weeks. Half of each group was subjected to resistance training (VEH-T and NAN-T) during the same period. At the end of the experimental protocol, animals were euthanized for morphometric and histological evaluation of the heart.
RESULTS:
The NAN group, compared with the VEH group, showed increased left ventricular wall thickness, cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, and percentage of interstitial fibrosis. The VEH-T group demonstrated increased left ventricular wall thickness, cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, and number of myonuclei, without changes in interstitial fibrosis percentage. Additionally, the NAN-T group exhibited higher cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and number of myonuclei compared with the other groups; however, the reduction in interstitial fibrosis percentage was significant only in comparison with the NAN group.
CONCLUSION:
Chronic treatment with supraphysiological doses of nandrolone decanoate results in adverse cardiac remodeling characterized by marked accumulation of interstitial fibrosis. In contrast, the association with resistance training attenuates histomorphometric impairments, specifically the increase in cardiac interstitial fibrosis.