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Azevedo RA, Gualano B, Teixeira TA, Nascimento BCG, Hallak J. Abusive use of anabolic androgenic steroids, male sexual dysfunction and infertility: an updated review. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1379272. [PMID: 38711907 PMCID: PMC11070513 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1379272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The evolving prevalence of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse among nonathletes is alarming because of the known harm to an individual's health. Among the adverse effects of AAS abuse, male infertility and sexual dysfunction have been often reported in the literature, but little is known regarding its actual prevalence, possible underpinning mechanisms, and potential treatments either during or post-AAS usage. Thus, the current narrative review summarizes the state-of-art regarding the effects of AAS on male fertility and sexual function. Evidence was gathered from the latest reviews and recent original studies, specifically from prospective cohorts and clinical trials, ultimately resulting in five main topics of discussion. First, AAS usage is briefly characterized by its historical background, main physiological mechanisms, and the most frequently used AAS substances. Second, data on the prevalence of AAS-induced male infertility and sexual dysfunction are described. Third, some new insights on possible underpinning mechanisms of AAS-induced male infertility and sexual dysfunction are thoroughly discussed, with particular attention to histological data derived from animal models and the latest insights from prospective cohorts in humans. Fourth, the potential treatments during and after the AAS usage are presented, highlighting the odds of resolving male infertility and sexual dysfunction. Fifth, future directions on this topic are discussed, focusing on the methodological robustness of scientific studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael de Almeida Azevedo
- Applied Physiology and Nutrition Research Group, Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Gualano
- Applied Physiology and Nutrition Research Group, Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Afonso Teixeira
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University Hospital, School of Medicine and Drug Research Laboratory, Federal University of Amapa, Macapá, Brazil
- Men’s Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Androscience Institute for Science, Education and Advanced Projects in Male Health, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jorge Hallak
- Men’s Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Androscience Institute for Science, Education and Advanced Projects in Male Health, São Paulo, Brazil
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Androscience—Science and Innovation Center and High Complexity Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil
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Baglietto M, Benedetti B, Di Carro M, Magi E. Polar licit and illicit ingredients in dietary supplements: chemometric optimization of extraction and HILIC-MS/MS analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:1679-1695. [PMID: 38334794 PMCID: PMC10899327 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05173-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Many dietary supplements claim the ability to enhance sports performance and to improve the fitness of the consumers. Occasionally, along with legal ingredients, illicit compounds may be added without being labelled, leading to unintended doping. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop an analytical method to determine a set of 12 polar (logDpH=7 from -2.0 to +0.3) compounds including diuretics, stimulants, β2-agonists, methylxanthines, and sweeteners. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography was chosen as separation strategy, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The instrumental method was optimized using a two-step design of experiments (DoE). Firstly, a Plackett-Burman (PB) DoE was performed to identify the more influencing variables affecting peak areas and chromatographic resolution among temperature, water percentage in the mobile phase, and flow rate, as well as type and concentration of buffers. Secondly, a D-optimal DoE was set, considering only the most significant variables from the PB-DoE results, achieving a deeper understanding of the retention mechanism. Sample processing by salt-assisted liquid-liquid extraction was studied through DoE as well, and the whole method showed recoveries in the range 40-107% and procedural precision ≤11% for all analytes. Finally, it was applied to real samples, in which the four methylxanthines and two artificial sweeteners were detected and quantified in the range of 0.02-192 mg g-1. These values were compared to the quantities declared on the DS labels, when possible. Furthermore, a sequence of MS/MS scans allowed detection of a signal in one of the samples, structurally similar to the β2-agonist clenbuterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Baglietto
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Benedetti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Marina Di Carro
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuele Magi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy
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Abstract
The growing consumer awareness regarding health and fitness has been leading to a huge rise in the consumption of nutritional supplements and, consequently, to an increase in concerns about their quality. In this sense, one of the most consumed products is protein supplements and, despite being safer than other types of supplements, there are several studies showing incompatibilities between what is present on the labels and their actual content. Therefore, this review is focused on gathering information about the problems arising from poor manufacturing practices and inadequate quality control of sport protein supplements. These issues are mainly related to three aspects: reduction of the supplements’ nutritional value, the presence of pharmacological substances, and contamination with microorganisms or toxic metals. Regarding the first aspect, reports about the “classic” addition of nitrogen-rich compounds to mask the protein content measured by the Kjeldahl method were discussed, as well as recent topics such as the addition of cheaper proteins to produce an “undetectable” adulteration in whey protein supplements. With respect to the presence of pharmacological compounds, it is a finding that is not very common in protein supplements; however, even trace amounts of foreign substances in this type of product may cause adverse effects to consumers, and, in the case of an elite athlete, may result in doping. Finally, we discuss about the contamination with microorganisms and toxic metals, this latter being a subject that should be further explored due to few studies in the literature.
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Hallak J. Protein supplements for physical enhancement and male reproductive health: Are there potential reasons for concern in an uncontrolled, unregulated, and widespread abuse scenario? Fertil Steril 2021; 114:61-62. [PMID: 32622413 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Hallak
- Androscience, Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil; Division of Urology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Men's Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Reproductive Toxicology Unit, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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da Costa BRB, El Haddad LP, Freitas BT, Marinho PA, De Martinis BS. Pre-workout supplements marketed in Brazil: Caffeine quantification and caffeine daily intake assessment. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:567-577. [PMID: 33835708 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The stimulating and performance-enhancing properties of caffeine are often explored in one the most consumed types of supplements: the pre-workout supplements (PWS). However, despite the popularity of PWS, previous studies have reported incompatibilities between what is described in their labels and their actual caffeine content. This study aimed to develop, to optimize, and to validate a gas-chromatography coupled to nitrogen-phosphorus detector (GC-NPD) method to quantify caffeine in PWS and to analyze commercial PWS marketed in Brazil to estimate the caffeine daily intake. For this purpose, three different extraction procedures were evaluated: agitation in vortex, shaker, and sonication. Sonication yielded the best extraction results. Next, the parameters' temperature and time were optimized by using central composite rotatable design (CCRD) and response surface methodology, which revealed the optimal values of 70°C and 10 min. The method was validated and applied to quantify caffeine in 52 PWS. From the 36 PWS labels that specified the caffeine amount, seven (19%) presented more than 120% of the declared quantity, whereas 15 (42%) contained less than 80% of the labeled caffeine. Additionally, six products presented undeclared caffeine. Considering the label stated doses, five supplements exceeded the safe caffeine daily intake (400 mg). On the basis of these findings, supplement quality control remains an issue that deserves more attention from consumers, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies. Finally, we suggest that PWS consumers be careful of the habit of ingesting caffeine through other sources and avoid ingesting two or more different PWS products in the same day.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lohanna Pereira El Haddad
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Bruno Toledo Freitas
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Pablo Alves Marinho
- Instituto de Criminalística da Polícia Civil do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Bruno Spinosa De Martinis
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Costa BRBD, Cruz MNDSDL, Roiffé RR, Padilha MC. Suplementos alimentares: uma fonte de doping não intencional? BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1981-6723.25619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Resumo O excessivo consumo de suplementos alimentares, aliado a uma legislação inespecífica e a um controle de qualidade ineficiente, faz com que a saúde dos consumidores seja colocada em risco devido à possível existência de contaminantes, em especial pró-hormônios, esteroides anabolizantes e estimulantes. Estes compostos podem proporcionar um aumento do desempenho esportivo e acarretar uma série de efeitos adversos, sendo assim proibidos pela Agência Mundial Antidopagem. A contaminação de suplementos pode ocorrer de maneira deliberada ou através de más práticas de produção, em que são encontrados traços dessas substâncias. Todavia, ambos os casos exigem atenção, já que uma contaminação de apenas 0,00005% em massa pode levar ao doping. Neste sentido, estima-se que de 6,4% a 8,8% dos casos estejam relacionados ao consumo de suplementos contaminados. Perante estes fatos, os objetivos principais do trabalho foram: fazer uma revisão da literatura tanto em trabalhos nacionais quanto internacionais, no que concerne à contaminação de suplementos alimentares e sua relação com a dopagem não intencional, bem como orientar os consumidores a escolherem produtos mais seguros. Neste sentido, foi possível observar que os suplementos nacionais são, geralmente, mais seguros quanto à presença de substâncias proibidas, principalmente em relação à contaminação por agentes anabolizantes. Contudo, ainda é preciso um melhor controle de qualidade perante a contaminação/adulteração por estimulantes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rafaela Rocha Roiffé
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; Instituto Militar de Engenharia, Brasil
| | - Monica Costa Padilha
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Analysis of Anabolic Agents in Whey Protein by Gas Chromatography Coupled to Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry. FOOD ANAL METHOD 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12161-020-01813-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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