Higher Myonuclei Density in Muscle Fibers Persists Among Former Users of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
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CONTEXT: No information exists on the long-lasting effects of supraphysiological anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) usage on the myocellular properties of human skeletal muscle in previous AAS users. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that former AAS users would demonstrate smaller myonuclei domains (ie, higher myonuclei density) than matched controls. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study in men aged 18-50 years engaged in recreational strength training. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the m. vastus lateralis. Immunofluorescence analyses were performed to quantify myonuclei density and myofiber size. RESULTS: Twenty-five males were included: 8 current and 7 previous AAS users and 10 controls. Median (25th-75th percentiles) accumulated duration of AAS use was 174 (101-206) and 140 (24-260) weeks in current and former AAS users, respectively (P = .482). Geometric mean (95% CI) elapsed duration since AAS cessation was 4.0 (1.2; 12.7) years among former AAS users. Type II muscle fibers in former AAS users displayed higher myonuclei density and DNA to cytoplasm ratio than controls, corresponding to smaller myonuclei domains (P = .013). Longer accumulated AAS use (weeks, log2) was associated with smaller myonuclei domains in previous AAS users: beta-coefficient (95% CI) -94 (-169; -18), P = .024. Type I fibers in current AAS users exhibited a higher amount of satellite cells per myofiber (P = .031) than controls. CONCLUSION: Muscle fibers in former AAS users demonstrated persistently higher myonuclei density and DNA to cytoplasm ratio 4 years after AAS cessation suggestive of enhanced retraining capacity.
Original language | English |
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Journal | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism |
Volume | 109 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | e266-e273 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0021-972X |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
- androgenic anabolic steroids, muscle memory, myonuclear density
Research areas
ID: 379038411