Exercise reinforcement, stress, and β-endorphins: an initial examination of exercise in anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence

The effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety: a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysis

Purpose

To investigate the potential role of the unique sound of tennis in alleviating anxiety. Previous research has consistently shown that exercise can mitigate anxiety, primarily attributed to the impact of increased physical activity on hormonal and neurostructural changes. However, in daily life we find that one of the reasons people are drawn to tennis is its distinctive sound. In this study, we specifically examined the influence of this sound on anxiety.

Methods and results

In a randomized controlled experiment involving 96 participants reporting chronic anxiety (n1 = n2 = 48), we found that the control group exhibited an average reduction of 0.00156 in anxiety scores 4 weeks before and after the study. On the other hand, the experimental group, exposed to tennis stroke sound stimuli, showed an average reduction of 0.02896 in anxiety scores after 4 weeks, with some individuals even experiencing a decrease from anxiety to mild anxiety. Furthermore, the analysis of sound data revealed that the sound of tennis exhibited a pleasing timbre, with the primary sound frequencies ranging from 100 to 2,800 Hz. The rhythm of the sound had an average interval of approximately 1.758″ (± 0.41), corresponding to speed of approximately 93.6 km/h. The sound exhibited a steady rhythm, orderly variations in pitch, and a soothing timbre.

Conclusion

This study confirms that the sound of tennis alone contributes to anxiety relief, attributed to its suitable loudness, steady rhythm, and orderly variations in pitch, all of which align with human auditory characteristics. This indicates that a considerable portion of the anxiety-alleviating effects of tennis attributed to its comforting sound.

Prevalence and correlates of androgen dependence: a meta-analysis, meta-regression analysis and qualitative synthesis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To investigate the prevalence and correlates of androgen dependence among users. A meta-analysis, meta-regression analysis, and qualitative synthesis were conducted based on a systematic literature search in Google Scholar, ISO Web of Science, PsycNET, and PubMed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Twenty-six studies were included in the review and 18 studies ( N  = 1782) in the statistical analysis. The overall lifetime androgen dependence prevalence was 34.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 27.8-41.7, Q  = 113.1, I2  = 85.0, P  < 0.001]. Although males (36.1%, P  < 0.001) and females (37.0%, P  = 0.188) did not differ ( Q  = 0.0, P  = 0.930) in dependence prevalence, controlling for other study characteristics, higher study male sample proportion was related to higher dependence prevalence. Combined interview and questionnaire assessments showed higher prevalence compared to interviews only. Publications from 1990-1999 generated higher prevalence compared to 2000-2009 and 2010-2023 publications. Dependents were associated with a wide array of demographic inequalities, and biophysical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial problems.

SUMMARY

One of three persons who initiate androgen use experiences dependence along with various serious disorders. Androgen use and dependence should be considered an important public health issue requiring targeted health interventions.

Anabolic androgenic steroids used as performance and image enhancing drugs in professional and amateur athletes: Toxicological and psychopathological findings

OBJECTIVE

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) as performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs), once restricted to professional athletes, now includes amateurs and regular gym visitors. AAS use is associated with psychopathology, yet this relationship is complex and not fully understood. We aimed to assess the presence of AASs and other misused substances in athletes' biological samples and link toxicological to psychopathological findings.

METHODS

A multicentre, cross-sectional study in fitness centres in Italy recruited 122 professional and amateur athletes training in several sports (84 men; age range = 18-45 years). Athletes completed questionnaires, interviews, and toxicology testing for AASs, other PIEDs, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed psychotropics. Toxicology was conducted in blood, urine, and hair.

RESULTS

Self-reported and toxicologically detected use rates of AASs and other misused substances showed slight-to-fair agreement (Fleiss' κ = 0.104-0.375). There was slight-to-moderate agreement among the three biological samples used for AAS testing (κ = 0.112-0.436). Thirty-one athletes (25.4%) tested positive for AASs. More sport hours/week, narcissistic or antisocial personality disorders, and higher nonplanning impulsiveness scores predicted AAS use (pseudo-R²  = 0.665). AAS users did not differ significantly from non-users in major psychopathology, but their Hypomania Checklist-32 score, which also predicted AAS use, was significantly higher (p < 0.001), suggesting increased odds for cyclothymic disorder or subthreshold hypomania.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results have implications for studying AAS users, as they identify a cluster of variables that may be relevant in future understanding of AAS use risks (e.g., personality disorders). Possible disagreements between AAS assessment methods should be considered when implementing harm reduction interventions, such as needle and syringe distribution, health education, and counselling, as well as surveillance programmes.

Effects of home-based walking on cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to critically evaluate the effect of home-based walking on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with breast cancer receiving anti-cancer treatment.

DATA SOURCES

Eight databases were systematically searched from inception to March 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) without language restrictions.

STUDY SELECTION

Two reviewers scanned the titles and abstracts, and then read the full texts of potentially eligible trials to screen the literature. Inclusion criteria were studies of home-based walking (HBW) intervention in adult breast cancer patients, and used fatigue as a primary or secondary outcome and containing extractable fatigue scores.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers critically and independently assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane Collaboration criteria and extracted correlated data using the designed extraction form. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was used when the outcome assessment tools were different. All of the analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Eight RCTs, including 764 patients (HBW: 377, control: 387) meeting the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis were identified. HBW had a significant effect on CRF in breast cancer (BC) patients receiving multiple anti-cancer treatments [SMD = -0.61, 95% CI (-0.86, -0.36), p<0.001]. HBW without other exercises [SMD = -0.83, 95% CI (-1.39, -0.27), p = 0.003], walking for a gradually increased duration [SMD = -1.24, 95% CI (-2.20, -0.28), p = 0.010] and no restrictions on walking intensity [SMD = -1.03, 95% CI (-1.75, -0.31), p = 0.005] demonstrated substantial effects on CRF. Of the eight included studies, only three reported adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

HBW can be considered as an alternative therapy for relieving CRF in breast cancer patients undergoing anti-cancer treatment.

Role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in dexamethasone-induced myotube atrophy in vitro

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a well-known adverse effect of long-term glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators in a number of physiological and pathological processes. However, the role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the regulation of GC-treated muscle atrophy remains poorly understood. In the current study, muscular atrophy was induced and the results indicated that C2C12 myotubes were thinner than normal, while the expression of muscle ring finger protein 1 and Atrogin-1 was increased. The expression of nine miRNAs and seven lncRNAs associated with proliferation and differentiation were analyzed in a dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy cell model. In addition, the mRNA expression of the downstream targets of lncRNAs that were differentially expressed between DEX-treated and control cells were determined. The results indicated that the expression of miR-133a, miR-133b, miR-206 and five lncRNAs (increased Atrolnc-1, Dum, MAR1, linc-MD1 and decreased Myolinc) were significantly different between the DEX and the control group. Furthermore, the relative mRNA expression of Wnt5a and MyoD was significantly different between the two groups. The results of the current study indicated that some important miRNAs and lncRNAs are associated with DEX-induced muscle atrophy and have the potential to be further developed as a diagnostic tool for this condition.

Abuse of androgenic anabolic drugs with "Cycling" induces hepatic steatosis in adult male mice

BACKGROUND

The importance of the present study comes from the lack of sufficient information about the reversibility of the potential hepatic histopathological alterations which may result from anabolic androgenic drugs abuse by "Cycling" protocol. So, the aim of this study is to explore the negative effects of Deca-Durabolin abuse in hepatic function and structure during an administration cycle.

METHODS

For our purpose, study was performed on 40 male adult mices. Animals were divided into five groups of 8 animals each treated weekly by Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) at 30 g/kg of BW during one month (GI); during two months (GII); during three months (GIII); during three months followed by six weeks of treatment discontinuation (GIV) and Control (C). Plasma assay of liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and cytohistological examination to determine the histopathological damage properties of the liver were performed.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the animals supported very well the administrated substance. Our study showed an increase in plasma levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST) with the duration of treatment accompanied by important degenerative changes in hepatic tissue with peliosis evolution after two months of treatment. These damages worsen again 6 weeks after stopping treatment and ended by the development of hepatic steatosis with increases hepatic distress.

CONCLUSION

These results ported that the use of AAS with "Cycling" may lead to the development of hepatic steatosis before progressing to more serious pathological liver situations in AAS abusers.

Evolutions in cardiac and gonadal ultra-structure during a "cycle" of androgenic anabolic abuse in adult male mice

BACKGROUND

The importance of the present study comes from the lack of sufficient information about the reversibility of the potential histopathological alterations which may result from anabolic androgenic drugs abuse by "Cycling" protocol. So, the aim of this study is to explore the negative effects of Deca-Durabolin abuse in cardiac and gonadal ultra-structures during an administration cycle.

METHODS

For our purpose, study was performed on 40 male adult mices. Animals were divided into five groups of 8 animals each treated weekly by Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) at 30 g/kg of BW during one month (GI); during two months (GII); during three months (GIII); during three months followed by six weeks of treatment discontinuation (GIV) and Control (C). Cytohistological examinations to determine the histopathological damage properties of the heart and tests were performed.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the animals supported very well the administrated substance. Our study showed important degenerative changes in cardiac and gonadal tissues after one months of androgen abuse. These damages increases with the duration of treatment with well marked cell lesions, and worsen again 6 weeks after stopping treatment in cardiac tissue, whereas the gonadal tissue does not recover completely during this period.

CONCLUSION

These results ported that the use of AAS with "Cycling" may lead to irreversibly destroy the heart tissue. Either, "Cycling" does not ensure the complete recovery of fertility in AAS abusers.

β-Endorphin Induction by Psychological Stress Promotes Leydig Cell Apoptosis through p38 MAPK Pathway in Male Rats

Psychological stress (PS) disturbs the reproductive endocrine system and promotes male infertility, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to uncover the mechanisms of PS-induced male reproductive related abnormalities subjected to a ‘terrified sound’ exposure. Male rats subjected to PS displayed slow growth, decreased sperm quality, abnormal levels of the reproductive endocrine hormones, decreased expression of the reproductive-related proteins androgen-binding protein (ABP) and bromodomain-containing protein (BRDT), increased apoptosis in the testis, and accompanied by elevated levels of β-endorphin (β-EP). These effects were reversed by naloxone. Furthermore, PS-induced β-EP could promote mu opioid receptor (MOR) activation and ensure intracellular p38 MAPK phosphorylation and then lead to Leydig cells (LCs) apoptosis. The current result showed that β-EP was a key factor to PS-induced male infertility.

Reversible effects of anabolic steroid abuse on cyto-architectures of the heart, kidneys and testis in adult male mice

The importance of the present study comes from the lack of sufficient information about the reversibility of the histopathological alterations which may result from anabolic androgenic drugs abuse after some times of stop treatment, as it is one of the prior studies which explored the negative effects of Deca-Durabolin abuse in particular on the hearts, kidneys and testis structures. For this aim, study was performed on 40 male adult mices. Animals were divided into five groups of 8 animals each as follows: treated by Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) at 30 g/kg of BW, weekly during one month (GI); two months (GII); three months (GIII); three months followed by six weeks of treatment discontinuation (GIV) and Control (C). Cytohistological exam was performed to determine histopathological damage in heart, kidney and testis tissues. Results showed that the treated animals supported very well the administrated substance. The increase in muscle strength and the absence of aggression were the most noticeable traits in longer-term treated groups. In addition, the gains in body and heart weights increase with duration of treatment and even more after stopping treatment. Our study showed important degenerative changes and disorganization of the histological structure of heart, kidney and testis in the animals of GIII. These damages worsen again 6 weeks after stopping treatment in heart and kidney, and repairs incompletely in the testis. In conclusion, these results confirmed that the use of AAS is associated with a lot of deleterious effects on the cardiac, nephritic and gonadic tissues which cannot be reversible.

Adolescent brain cognitive development (ABCD) study: Overview of substance use assessment methods

One of the objectives of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (https://abcdstudy.org/) is to establish a national longitudinal cohort of 9 and 10 year olds that will be followed for 10 years in order to prospectively study the risk and protective factors influencing substance use and its consequences, examine the impact of substance use on neurocognitive, health and psychosocial outcomes, and to understand the relationship between substance use and psychopathology. This article provides an overview of the ABCD Study Substance Use Workgroup, provides the goals for the workgroup, rationale for the substance use battery, and includes details on the substance use module methods and measurement tools used during baseline, 6-month and 1-year follow-up assessment time-points. Prospective, longitudinal assessment of these substance use domains over a period of ten years in a nationwide sample of youth presents an unprecedented opportunity to further understand the timing and interactive relationships between substance use and neurocognitive, health, and psychopathology outcomes in youth living in the United States.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2014

This paper is the thirty-seventh consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2014 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (endogenous opioids and receptors), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (pain and analgesia); stress and social status (human studies); tolerance and dependence (opioid mediation of other analgesic responses); learning and memory (stress and social status); eating and drinking (stress-induced analgesia); alcohol and drugs of abuse (emotional responses in opioid-mediated behaviors); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (opioid involvement in stress response regulation); mental illness and mood (tolerance and dependence); seizures and neurologic disorders (learning and memory); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (opiates and conditioned place preferences (CPP)); general activity and locomotion (eating and drinking); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (alcohol and drugs of abuse); cardiovascular responses (opiates and ethanol); respiration and thermoregulation (opiates and THC); and immunological responses (opiates and stimulants). This paper is the thirty-seventh consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2014 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (endogenous opioids and receptors), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (pain and analgesia); stress and social status (human studies); tolerance and dependence (opioid mediation of other analgesic responses); learning and memory (stress and social status); eating and drinking (stress-induced analgesia); alcohol and drugs of abuse (emotional responses in opioid-mediated behaviors); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (opioid involvement in stress response regulation); mental illness and mood (tolerance and dependence); seizures and neurologic disorders (learning and memory); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (opiates and conditioned place preferences (CPP)); general activity and locomotion (eating and drinking); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (alcohol and drugs of abuse); cardiovascular responses (opiates and ethanol); respiration and thermoregulation (opiates and THC); and immunological responses (opiates and stimulants).