Impacts of dose and length of exposure to boldenone and stanazolol on enzymatic antioxidant systems, myeloperoxidase and NAGase activities, and glycogen and lactate levels in rat liver

Effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone cypionate on salivary gland function in adult male Wistar rats

The abusive use of anabolic androgenic steroids has become a serious health problem worldwide, but its effects on oral health are still poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone cypionate (TC) on salivary biochemical, histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, and redox state parameters of parotid and submandibular glands. Twenty male Wistar rats, 12 weeks old, were divided into two groups (n=10/group): a control group and TC group, which received a dose of 20 mg/kg, once a week, for 6 weeks. Post treatment, the saliva and glands were collected. A supraphysiological dose of TC increased plasma and salivary testosterone concentrations. Although TC did not alter salivary flow, pH, and buffering capacity, the treatment increased the salivary secretion of total protein and reduced amylase, calcium, phosphate, and potassium. TC reduced the connective tissue area in the parotid gland and acinar area of the submandibular gland, while increasing the granular convoluted tubule area in the submandibular gland. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was higher in the acinar cells of the submandibular glands from the TC group. Moreover, TC increased concentrations of total oxidant capacity and damaged lipids in both salivary glands, while total antioxidant activity and uric acid were lower in the submandibular gland, and reduced glutathione was higher in both glands. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were higher in the parotid gland, while only glutathione peroxidase activity was lower in the submandibular gland of the TC group. In conclusion, TC abuse may be a potential factor for dysfunction of the parotid and submandibular glands, becoming a risk factor for the oral and systemic health of users.

Experimental studies on androgen administration in animal models: current and future perspectives

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to report the most recent (2020-2022) experimental scientific studies conducted on animal models, in order to highlight the relevant findings on the adverse effects related to androgen administration.

RECENT FINDINGS

Forty-one studies published between January 2020 and July 2022 were selected. The majority of studies investigated the effects of one androgen, whereas only four studies analyzed the effects of two drugs. Nandrolone decanoate was the most investigated drug (20 articles), boldenone was tested in 8 articles, testosterone and stanozolol were used in 7 articles each, 17b-trenbolone, metandienone, and oxandrolone were tested in 1 article each. The articles clarify the adverse effects of androgen administration on the heart, brain, kidney, liver, reproductive and musculoskeletal systems.

SUMMARY

The main findings of this review highlight that androgen administration increases inflammatory mediators, altering different biochemical parameters. The results concerning the reversibility of the adverse effects are controversial: on the one hand, several studies suggested that by stopping the androgen administration, the organs return to their initial state; on the other hand, the alteration of different biochemical parameters could generate irreversible organ damage. Moreover, this review highlights the importance of animal studies that should be better organized in order to clarify several important aspects related to androgen abuse to fill the gap in our knowledge in this research field.

Early postmortem biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical alterations in skeletal muscles of rats exposed to boldenone undecylenate: Forensic implication

This study investigated the biochemical and histopathological alterations along with the immunoexpression pattern of heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) within 6 h postmortem (PM) in skeletal muscle of boldenone (BOL)-treated rats. Forty-eight male rats were divided into two groups; a control group received sesame oil (0.25 mL/kg bwt), and BOL group received 5 mg/kg bwt BOL. Both treatments were intramuscularly injected once a week for eight weeks. Rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation, and the skeletal muscle specimens were collected at zero-time, 2, 4, and 6 h PM for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. The results revealed that BOL treatment significantly increased pH, MDA, ATP, ADP, glycogen, and hydroxyproline values. Still, it decreased the GPX, GST, and lactic acid levels, and Hsp27 immunoexpression compared to the control group. With increasing postmortem interval (PMI), whether control or BOL-treated, a significant reduction in pH value, markers of muscular antioxidant status, ATP, ADP, glycogen, hydroxyproline levels, as well as Hsp27 immunoexpression but a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and lactic acid content were recorded. Of note, the interaction between BOL treatment and PMI had a significant effect on ATP, ADP, lactic acid, hydroxyproline, GST, MDA, and TAC levels. Conclusively, these findings signify BOL exposure's modifying effect on the energy content, oxidative status, and histological architecture of skeletal muscles in the early PMI that reflected in delaying the onset of rigor mortis. For forensic practitioners, these findings should be highly considered at estimating PMI in athletic, AAS-treated patients, and fattening animals.