Anabolic steroids:

Anabolic steroids, officially known as anabolic-androgen steroids (AAS), are drugs which mimic the effects of the male sex hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. They increase protein

synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in muscles. Anabolic steroids also have androgenic and virilizing properties, including the

development and maintenance of masculine characteristics such as the growth of the vocal cords and body hair. The word anabolic comes from the Greek anabole, "that which is thrown up,

mound", and the word androgenic from the Greek andros, "of a man"genes, "born".

Anabolic steroids were first isolated, identified and synthesized in the 1930s, and are now used therapeutically in medicine to stimulate bone growth and appetite, induce male puberty, and treat

chronic wasting conditions, such as cancer and AIDS. The American College of Sports Medicine acknowledges that AAS, in the presence of adequate diet, can contribute to increases in body weight,

often as lean mass increases, and that the gains in muscular strength achieved through high-intensity exercise and proper diet can be additionally increased by the use of AAS in some individuals.

Some health risks can be produced by long-term use or excessive doses of anabolic steroids. These effects include harmful changes in cholesterol levels (increased low-density lipoprotein and

decreased high-density lipoprotein), acne, high blood pressure, liver damage (mainly with oral steroids), and dangerous changes in the structure of the left ventricle of the heart.

Ergogenic uses for anabolic steroids in sports and bodybuilding are controversial because of their adverse effects and the potential to gain an advantage conventionally considered "cheating." Their

use is referred to as doping and banned by all major sporting bodies. For many years AAS have been by far the most detected doping substances in IOC-accredited laboratories. In countries where AAS
are controlled substances, there is often a black market in which smuggled or even counterfeit drugs are sold to users.

Anabolic steroids Medical uses:

Various anabolic steroids and related compounds

Since the discovery and synthesis of testosterone in the 1930s, anabolic steroids have been used by physicians for many purposes, with varying degrees of success.

Bone marrow stimulation: For decades, anabolic steroids were the mainstay of therapy for hypoplastic anemias due to leukemia or kidney failure, especially aplastic anemia. Anabolic steroids

have largely been replaced in this setting by synthetic protein hormones (such as epoetin alfa) that selectively stimulate growth of blood cell precursors.

Growth stimulation: Anabolic steroids can be used by pediatric endocrinologists to treat children with growth failure. However, the availability of synthetic growth hormone, which has fewer

side effects, makes this a secondary treatment.

Stimulation of appetite and preservation and increase of muscle mass: Anabolic steroids have been given to people with chronic wasting conditions such as cancer and AIDS.

Induction of male puberty: Androgens are given to many boys distressed about extreme delay of puberty. Testosterone is now nearly the only androgen used for this purpose and has been shown to

increase height, weight, and fat-free mass in boys with delayed puberty.

Testosterone enanthate has frequently been used as a male contraceptive and it is thought that in the near future it could be used as a safe, reliable, and reversible male contraceptive.

Anabolic steroids have been found in some studies to increase lean body mass and prevent bone loss in elderly men.However, a 2006 placebo-controlled trial of low-dose testosterone supplementation

in elderly men with low levels of testosterone found no benefit on body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life.

Used in hormone replacement therapy for men with low levels of testosterone and is also effective in improving libido for elderly males.

Used to treat Gender Identity Disorder by producing secondary male characteristics, such as a deeper voice, increased bone and muscle mass, facial hair, increased levels of red blood cells and

clitoral enlargement in female-to-male patients.


References:

Grishkovskaya I, Avvakumov GV, Sklenar G, Dales D, Hammond GL, Muller YA (2000). "

Crystal structure of human sex hormone-binding globulin: steroid transport by a laminin G-like domain".

Hartgens and Kuipers (2004), p. 514–515

Hoberman JM, Yesalis CE (1995). "The history of synthetic testosterone". Scientific American 272 (2): 76–81