Steroids biological role. The role of steroid hormones in the body

STEROIDS
a group of natural and synthetic chemical compounds - derivatives of partially or completely hydrogenated 1,2-cyclopentenophenanthrene type

In the molecular skeleton of which 17 carbon atoms form 4 articulated rings A, B, C, D. Steroids are widespread in nature, they are involved in a wide variety of biological functions. Sex hormones, vitamin D, adrenal hormones, bile acids, hormones of molting and metamorphosis of arthropods, insect repellents that repel predators, and poisons in the skin of toads are of steroid nature. Both natural and synthetic steroids, with similar structures, exhibit very different physiological effects, so they are widely used in medicine as anti-inflammatory, cardiac, contraceptive and other agents. Steroids are divided into sterols, bile acids, steroid hormones, steroid saponins, cardiac glycosides and steroid alkaloids
(see also ALKALOIDS). Steroids are most often found in the form of sterols, found in almost all plants, fungi and animals. This, in particular, is the well-known cholesterol, which serves as the starting material for the synthesis of all steroid hormones in the body. Cholesterol can be used for the industrial production of many steroids, but it is more economical to use instead some of the readily available plant sterols (for example, stigmasterol from soybeans) that are structurally similar to the target steroids. Steroid sex hormones are steroids produced by or affecting the sex glands (testes and ovaries). These include androgens, or male hormones, the main of which is testosterone, and female sex hormones - estrogens and progestins (gestagens). Progestins, including progesterone, are involved in preparing the uterus for pregnancy and in maintaining pregnancy. Synthetic progestins and estrogens are included in birth control pills (see also HORMONES). Androgens, due to their anabolic activity (manifested in particular in the building of muscle and bone tissue), have become notorious among athletes, for whom the word “steroid” has come to mean specifically male sex hormones. However, the ability of androgens taken in high doses to improve athletic performance by increasing strength, endurance, and muscle mass remains a matter of debate. Moreover, excessive use of these steroids can lead to liver disease and other harmful side effects.
Corticoids. Steroids secreted by the adrenal cortex are called corticoids or corticosteroids. About 30 different corticoids are known, divided into two broad classes: mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. The former regulate mineral, water-salt metabolism (for example, chemical processes involving sodium), the latter regulate carbohydrate (glucose) and protein metabolism. The function of corticoids is mainly to maintain homeostasis (a constant, stable internal state of the body), especially in stressful situations (during inflammatory processes, desalination or fasting). Thus, during fasting, corticosteroids, by stimulating the formation of glucose from body tissues, protect the vital functions of the brain, which depend on glucose as an energy source. One of the glucocorticoids involved in maintaining homeostasis is cortisone, which is widely used in the treatment of arthritis and other diseases as an anti-inflammatory agent. However, long-term massive use of cortisone leads to harmful side effects, so doctors now routinely prescribe related synthetic steroid compounds for the same diseases.
See also ADRENAL GLANDS. Bile acids are part of bile, the most important function of which is to accelerate the absorption of fats in the intestines. Almost all of them are derivatives of cholanic acid, for example cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, etc. Cardiac glycosides are very toxic substances of plant origin, but in small doses they stimulate cardiac activity. Used to treat heart and other diseases. Under the influence of acids, they break down into sugars and aglycone (steroid). Free aglycones of cardiac glycosides (genins) are strong poisons that are not used in medicine; Among them, strophanthidin (convallate oxygenin) is the most well studied; it is contained in lily of the valley, hemp lily, and wallflower. Other aglycones are also known, for example, digitoxigenin, dioxygenin, gitoxigenin, periplogenin, sarmentogenin, adonitoxygenin, etc. See also GLYCOSIDES. Toad poisons and sea onion aglycones (Scilla maritima). Toad poisons are secreted by skin glands. They are used in medicine. They have the same effect on the mammalian heart as cardiac glycosides due to the steroidal bufogenins present in them. Related compounds are also present (in the form of glycosides) in sea onions, which have been used since ancient times as medicine (Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome). The most important of the bufogenins - bufalin and bufotalin - were isolated from the skin of the Chinese toad. Scillaren A has been isolated from sea onion glycosides, the saponification of which produces the aglycone scillaridin A. Steroid saponins are glycosides of plant origin that form a stable foam when shaken with water. Saponins are very poisonous to fish. For humans, they are poisonous only when introduced into the blood, and their entry into the gastrointestinal tract is harmless. Saponins during acid hydrolysis break down into carbohydrates and aglycones - sapogenins. For the analysis and study of steroids, digitalis saponin - digitonin, whose aglycone is the steroid sapogenin - digitogenin, is of great importance.
LITERATURE
Rosen B.V. Fundamentals of endocrinology. M., 1984 Kovchenko N.V., Akhrem A.A. Steroids (environmental functions). Minsk, 1990

Collier's Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .

See what "STEROIDS" are in other dictionaries:

Modern encyclopedia

Class of organic compounds; polycyclic alcohols, ketones, acids, etc. Widely distributed in living nature. Steroids include sterols, bile acids, vitamins D, sex hormones, adrenal hormones (corticosteroids).... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Steroids- (from the Greek stereos solid and eidos appearance, shape), a class of organic compounds. Widely distributed in wildlife. Steroids include cholesterol, bile acids, vitamins D, sex hormones, adrenal hormones... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Organic class polycyclic compounds widely distributed in living nature; derivatives of substituted. General biogenetic the precursor of S. squalene, which is converted into S. through triterpenoid alcohols lanosterol (y... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

See Sterols. Geological Dictionary: in 2 volumes. M.: Nedra. Edited by K. N. Paffengoltz et al. 1978 ... Geological encyclopedia

The precursor molecule of all natural steroids, lanosterol. Steroids are substances of animal or, less commonly, plant origin that have a high ... Wikipedia

A class of organic compounds that are chemically related to isoprenoids (See Isoprenoids). Various types of S. are widespread in wildlife and are found in microorganisms, plants, and animals; one of the main directions... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Ov; pl. (unit steroid, a; m.). Pharm. Chemicals that affect accelerated muscle growth (recognized as doping and prohibited for use by athletes; used in animal husbandry when raising livestock). Steroid, oh, oh. * * * steroids… … encyclopedic Dictionary

A group of biologically important natural compounds (alcohols, ketones, acids, etc.), the structure of which is based on the skeleton of gonan (sterane; see flu). Contained in all plants. and animal organisms. C. includes sterols, vitamins of group D,... ... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary

Steroids are a group of organic substances of plant and animal origin, including sterols, vitamins D, sex hormones, adrenal hormones (corticosteroids), as well as various cardiac glycosides (saponins), certain alkaloids... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Books

Steroids Structure and properties, Jafarov M., Zaitsev S., Maksimov V., Steroids. Structure, preparation, properties and biological significance, application in medicine and veterinary medicine... Category: Hardware. Office equipment Manufacturer:

Send your good work in the knowledge base is simple. Use the form below

Students, graduate students, young scientists who use the knowledge base in their studies and work will be very grateful to you.

Posted on http://www.allbest.ru/

RGPonPVC"WEST- KAZAKHSTANstatemedicaluniversitynameMarataospanova"MOHRK

Faculty: Pharmacy

Department: Chemical disciplines with a course of pharmaceutical disciplines

IndependentJobstudent

Discipline: General research methods and analysis of drugs

Subject: The biochemical role of steroids in the body as a prerequisite for obtaining medicinal substances.

Performed: Tulegenova Nurslu

Aktobe 2015

Introduction

There are lipids that do not hydrolyze to release fatty acids. These lipids include steroids.

Steroids are compounds widespread in nature. They are often found in association with fats. They can be separated from the fat by saponification (they end up in the unsaponifiable fraction). All steroids in their structure have a core formed by hydrogenated phenanthrene (rings A, B and C) and cyclopentane (ring D):

Steroids- substances of animal or, less commonly, plant origin that have high biological activity. Steroids are formed in nature from isoprenoid precursors. A structural feature of steroids is the presence of a condensed tetracyclic gonan system. The gonan core in steroids can be saturated or partially unsaturated and contain alkyl and some hydroxyl, carbonyl or carboxyl functional groups.

Steroids- complex organic compounds, derivatives of substituted.

Steroids are quite widely represented in living nature.

A feature of steroids is the presence of hydroxyl or keto groups in the third position of the cycle. Depending on the structure of the A- and B-cycles, the placement and nature of the substituents in the molecule and the nature of the side chain, as well as the properties and biological effects, steroids are divided into sterols, vitaminsgroupsD, gallacids, alcohols,steroidsaponins,alkaloids, hormones, biologicallyactiveconnectionsplants,antibiotics(cephalosporin).

Most steroids in the body perform an important regulatory function. The synthesis of steroids is carried out in the body of plants and higher animals and humans. The precursor of animal and plant steroids is squalene, which is converted into steroids with the participation of triterpenoid alcohols or cycloartenol (in plants).

Steroids do not dissolve in water, but are perfectly soluble in all fat solvents. If fat is saponified, the steroids remain in the unsaponifiable fraction, from where they can be isolated in pure form by fractional crystallization from alcohol solutions.

Steroids play an important role in the composition of protoplasm, forming complex complexes with proteins that participate in the construction of intracellular membranes.

The content of steroids is especially high in yeast, which is used for the industrial isolation of ergosterol and the subsequent production of group D vitamins from it. Yeast contains over 2% of steroids per dry matter. Wheat grain contains from 0.03 to 0.07%; in corn grain - from 1 to 1.3%.

Significant amounts of steroids (ergosterol) are contained in the mycelium of molds.

SteroidsNotdissolveVwater, but are perfectly soluble in all fatty solvents. Therefore, when any product of plant origin is extracted with sulfuric ether or another fatty solvent, in addition to fats and phosphatides, sterols also pass into the extract. If fat is saponified, the sterols remain in the so-called unsaponifiable fraction, from where they can be isolated in pure form by fractional crystallization from alcohol solutions.

SteroidsplayimportantroleVcompositionprotoplasm, forming complex complexes with proteins involved in the construction of intracellular membranes; the significance of the latter is very significant in the regulation of metabolism in the cell.

A typical representative of the sterol group is ergosterol C28H43OH. It is found in yeast, ergot horns, molds, and wheat grain. As A. Windaus showed, when ergosteral is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, group D vitamins are formed.

A number of sterols have been isolated from various plant products. Thus, a sterol with the empirical formula C27H45OH was isolated from corn oil and wheat germ oil. The oil obtained from the endosperm of wheat contains two sterols - one with the same empirical formula C27H44OH and the other (its hydrogenated derivative) - dihydrosterol, corresponding to the empirical formula C27H47OH. Sterols with the empirical formula C30H49OH have also been isolated from wheat and rice germs. Individual sterols differ from each other in the number of double bonds they contain and in the structure of the side chain. For example, sitosterols C29H49OH - a group of very common sterols in plants - unlike ergosterol, contain only one double bond, and in their side chain one methyl group is replaced by ethyl.

StigmasterolS29N47ON, found in soybean oil, and spinasterols isolated from spinach and kale leaves, differ from sitosterol in the presence of two double bonds. The content of sterols is especially high in yeast, which is used for the industrial isolation of ergosterol and the subsequent production of group D vitamins from it. Yeast contains over 2% sterols per dry matter. Wheat grain contains from 0.03 to 0.07%; in corn grain, which has a high fat content, from 1.0 to 1.3%.

Significant amounts of sterols, in particular ergosterol, are contained in the mycelium of molds, which remains as waste during the production of antibiotics and citric acid. Bacteria either do not contain sterols at all or contain them in very small quantities (from 0.000 4 to 0.01% per dry matter). The leaves contain low sterol content - about 0.05-0.18% per dry matter. Of great interest is the presence of insect hormones in higher plants: juvenile hormone and molting hormones - ecdysones. To date, about 40 different ecdysones with high biological activity have been isolated from many plants. The content of ecdysones in plants reaches 2%. The starting material in the biosynthesis of sterols, as well as in the biosynthesis of all terpenoids, is the acetyl residue CH3CO-.

The three most important groups of steroids are sterols, bile acids and steroid hormones. In addition, ksteroids include compounds of plant origin that have valuable pharmacological properties: steroid alkaloids, digitalis glycosides (cardiac glycosides) and steroid saponins.

Steroid alcohols are called sterols. All sterols contain a β-hydroxyl group at C-3 and one or more double bonds in the B ring and side chain. Sterol molecules lack carboxyl and carbonyl groups.

In animals, the most important sterol is cholesterol. Plants and microorganisms contain many related compounds, such as ergosterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol.

Cholesterol is present in all animal tissues, especially nerve tissues. It is an essential component of cell membranes, where it regulates their fluidity (see p. 219). The storage and transport forms of cholesterol are its esters with fatty acids. Along with other lipids, cholesterol and its esters are present in the lipoprotein complexes of blood plasma (see p. 273). Cholesterol is a component of bile and many gallstones. Issues of cholesterol biosynthesis, metabolism and transport are discussed in other sections (see pp. 175,305).

Impaired cholesterol metabolism plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, a disease associated with the deposition of cholesterol (plaques) on the walls of blood vessels (calcification) due to increased levels of olesterol in the blood. To prevent atherosclerosis, it is important that the diet is dominated by products of plant origin, which are characterized by low cholesterol content. On the contrary, food products of animal origin contain a lot of cholesterol, especially egg yolk, meat, liver, and brains.

Bile acids

Bile acids are formed from cholesterol in the liver (see p. 307). In chemical structure, these compounds are close to cholesterol. Bile acids are characterized by the presence of a shortened branched side chain with a carboxyl group at the end. There is no double bond in ring B, and rings A and B are joined in the cis position (see p. 61). The steroid core contains from one to three β-hydroxyl groups at positions 3, 7 and 12.

Bile acids ensure the solubility of cholesterol in bile and promote the digestion of lipids (see p. 265). In the liver, primary bile acids are first formed - cholic and chenodeoxycholic (anthropodeoxycholic). Dehydroxylation of these compounds at C-7 by intestinal microflora leads to the formation of secondary bile acids - lithocholic and deoxycholic.

Steroid hormones

The biosynthesis of steroid hormones - a process that is not so noticeable in quantitative terms - is, however, of great physiological importance. Steroids form a group of lipophilic signaling substances that regulate metabolism, growth and reproductive functions of the body.

There are six steroid hormones in the human body: progesterone, cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, estradiol and calcitriol (obsolete name calciferol). With the exception of calcitriol, these compounds have a very short side chain of two carbon atoms or no side chain at all. Most compounds of this group are characterized by the presence of an oxo group at C-3 and a conjugated double bond C-4/C-5 in ring A. Differences are observed in the structure of rings C and D. In estradiol, ring A is aromatic and, therefore, the hydroxyl group has the properties of a phenolic OH groups. Calcitriol is different from vertebrate hormones, but is also built on the basis of cholesterol. Due to the light-dependent ring opening reaction, calcitriol forms a so-called “secosteroid” (ring-opened steroid).

Ecdysone, an insect steroid hormone, is an evolutionarily earlier form of steroid. Steroid hormones that perform a signaling function are also found in plants.

Factors that determine the effectiveness of taking steroids

steroid protoplasm hormone acid

Let's try to take a closer look at what determines the effectiveness of steroids on the human body. All factors influencing efficiency can be divided into two large groups - external and internal.

Internal factors include the genetically determined density of receptors and their distribution in the tissues of the body. These factors largely determine the body's response to steroids, as well as the degree of side effects. So, if the body has a high density of receptors in muscle tissue and a relatively low number of them in other tissues and organs, then in this case the anabolic reaction even to medium doses of drugs will be well expressed, and the manifestation of side effects will be minimal, or they will not appear at all . Otherwise, the result will be the opposite. Unfortunately, there are currently no available methods to determine the density and distribution of receptors in the body and predict response to steroid use.

Likewise, the molecular structure of the receptor itself may differ from person to person. This determines the fact that people have different reactions to the same drugs and their combinations.

The ratio of different types of fibers in the muscles plays a significant role. The higher the percentage of fast-twitch and intermediate fibers, the better the response to steroids, of course, in terms of increasing muscle mass and strength.

The innate activity of liver microsomal enzymes and the activity of hepatic aromatase are also important. The higher the activity of these enzymes, the faster the rate of metabolism (destruction) of steroids in the body in the first case, and the greater the amount of them undergoes aromatization into estrogen in the second. All this reduces the effectiveness of drugs introduced into the body and requires the administration of large doses, or the adoption of special measures to combat aromatization, or anti-estrogenic therapy.

Next in order, but not in importance, is the innate reserve of the cardiovascular system and the genetically determined strength of the ligamentous-articular apparatus and the muscle tissue frame formed by connective tissue fibers. These factors allow you to significantly increase the intensity of strength training, as well as train intensively for a long time without injury, even when using high dosages of steroids. A well-developed capillary network in the muscles allows you to effectively deliver all the necessary nutrients, hormones, enzymes to the cells, and also quickly remove metabolic products from the muscles.

And one more very important factor. This is a functional state of the gastrointestinal tract. The more nutrients the digestive system can process and assimilate per unit time, the higher the potential of a strength athlete. Internal factors are genetically predetermined and practically independent of external influences.

Conclusion

Steroids include numerous and extremely important classes of natural physiological active compounds - sex hormones and adrenal hormones, sterols, bile acids, sapogenins, cardiac aglycones, numerous alkaloids, etc. The prevalence of steroid compounds in both the animal and plant worlds and the extremely important role of steroid hormones in regulating life processes have led to a wide scope of scientific research, during which important practical results have been obtained. Now in many countries the industrial production of steroid hormones has been established with products worth hundreds of millions. Thanks to steroid hormones and, above all, cortisone, it has become possible to cure such serious diseases as rheumatoid arthritis.

Literature

1.A.P. Arzamastsev. Pharmaceutical chemistry: textbook, 3rd ed., rev. M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2006.

2. Analysis of medicinal mixtures / A.P. Arzamastsev, V.M. Pechennikov, G.M. Rodionova et al. M.: Sputnik Company, 2000.

3. Belikov V.G. Pharmaceutical chemistry. In 2 hours: study guide, 4th ed., revised. and additional M.: MEDpress-inform. 2007.

4. Guide to laboratory classes in pharmaceutical chemistry: E.N. Aksenova, O.P. Andrianova, A.P. Arzamastsev et al. M.: Medicine, 2001.

Posted on Allbest.ru

...

Hormonal drugs - indications and contraindications

Synthetic steroid hormones, like no other, have their own characteristics and should be used only after a full examination. The attending physician prescribes therapy and regularly monitors the patient's condition. In addition, the specialist will take into account all possible risks of side effects and contraindications in each specific case.

Aromatase inhibitors are used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The following drugs containing steroid hormones are prescribed:

anastrazole (arimidex);
letrozole (Femara);
exemestane (aromasin).

They are used in complex therapy and give good results, but they have side effects, expressed in attacks of nausea, redness of the skin, joint pain, and vaginal dryness. Long-term use may cause bone fragility. To prevent this phenomenon, calcium and vitamin D supplements are prescribed. If there is a history of osteoporosis, then this treatment is not suitable.

Among the well-known and most used are the following:

Hydrocortisone;
Dexamethasone;
Prednisole;
Prednisolone;
Estriol.

They are also used to recover from severe and long-term illnesses and in sports as doping. Have the following effect:

accelerate the regeneration of all body tissues;
increase appetite;
promote muscle gain by reducing the amount of fatty tissue;
improve the accumulation of phosphorus and calcium in bones and teeth;
increase the performance and endurance of the body, reduce or completely disappear the feeling of fear, increase cognitive functions and brain activity.

Possible side effects

But uncontrolled or unjustified use of hormonal drugs can lead to unwanted side reactions of the body:

acne, acne;
hypertension;
increased irritability, unmotivated mood swings, tendency to depression;
increased cholesterol levels and associated atherosclerosis;
in men - impotence, testicular atrophy, decreased secretion and quality of sperm, infertility, enlarged mammary glands;
swelling due to fluid accumulation.

Contraindications include:

young age, if the use of the drug is not the only way out of the situation;
for diseases of the kidneys, liver and cardiovascular system;
the presence of tumors of various origins.

Taking corticosteroid drugs should be justified and in no case independent. They are used only as prescribed by a doctor and with constant monitoring of the patient's condition. Only then will hormone therapy bring the desired result.

Bibliography

Wunder P.A. The principle of plus-minus interaction and regulation of prolactin function of the pituitary gland
Al-Shoumer K.A.S., Page B., Thomas E., Murphy M., Beshyah S.A., Johnston D.G. Effects of four years" treatment with biosynthetic human growth hormone (GH) on body composition in GH-deficient hypopituitary adults // Eur J Endocrinol 1996; 135:559-567.

(based on materials from A. Schwarzenegger’s book “Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding”)

No book on modern bodybuilding can be considered complete without discussing the issue of anabolic steroids. Steroids have become used in many sports, so bodybuilding is no exception. However, no matter how widespread the use of these drugs has become, they continue to be the subject of considerable controversy.

How dangerous are steroids? To what extent do they increase muscle strength and volume, their performance and impact in training? We still don't have definitive answers to these questions. Apparently, much more effort is spent trying to ban stimulants than finding answers. One thing we do know is that they seem to help some people in certain cases, and most bodybuilders are convinced that steroids are necessary to rise to the heights of the international level.

There are actually two sides to the issue of steroid use. It is one thing to use them, even for a long time, another thing to abuse them. By “abuse” I mean taking drugs in too large quantities, constantly and for a long time, or in the wrong combinations. With any of these options, you can expect immediate, severe, and possibly fatal results.

I am also firmly convinced that if there were no steroids, the same athletes would still be winners. Success in bodybuilding depends more on natural abilities and hard work, rather than on stimulants.

4.13.1. What are anabolic steroids?

Anabolic steroid is a group of powerful synthetic chemicals that resemble natural male sex hormones. Hormones are chemical regulators of the body that control or participate in a wide range of processes, influencing the growth, development and specialization of tissues, the reproductive cycle, as well as many aspects of behavior.

Cells are composed primarily of protein. Therefore, one of the most important factors determining the possibility of growth is the production or synthesis of new protein. The hormones that enable cells to produce new protein are mainly androgens, that is, the male hormone testosterone and its chemical analogues. Testosterone is present in varying proportions in both men and women.

Male hormones have two different types of effects on the body: anabolic, which stimulates growth, and androgenic, which enhances male sexual characteristics. Anabolic steroids are synthesized in such a way as to maximize the anabolic and minimize the androgenic effect. Although the various types of steroids vary in the extent of these functions, they are all designed to induce growth with minimal impact on the sexual area.

Steroids are substances with complex molecules that are transported in the blood and play a binding role. There are thousands of tiny steroid receptors in cells, and steroid molecules carry many "messages", the most important of which are orders to increase the synthesis of protein and creatine phosphates. Depending on the type of steroid, either one or both of these “messages” are sent in different combinations.

Creatine phosphate is a fast energy restorer, thanks to which muscles can contract not just for a few seconds, but for a longer time. The more creatine phosphate, the more muscle work you can do. The more work you do, the harder you will train and the more muscle you will build.

4.13.2. Steroids and bodybuilding

Bodybuilders discovered the effects of testosterone and began using it to stimulate muscle growth and increase the intensity and intensity of their workouts in the late 40s. The first synthetic anabolic steroid was created in 1953. Its effectiveness was 3-5 times higher than testosterone, and its androgenicity level was 3 times less. In the 1960s, new types of anabolic steroids emerged and their use by bodybuilders and other sports, despite scientific research questioning their effectiveness in building strength and muscle tissue, became increasingly widespread.

At the 1972 Olympics, a large number of different athletes were surveyed about their drug use, and a total of 68 percent admitted to using anabolic steroids. Dr. Wright estimates that more than 90 percent of speed-strength athletes now use these drugs.

Most competitive bodybuilders use or have used anabolic steroids. They believe that steroids help them become more powerful and stronger. They love the aggressive feeling that comes with using these stimulants because it helps them train harder. And we should not forget that athletes also take drugs because the spirit of competition dominates them and they do not want to give up their positions.

4.13.3 "Plateau"

Many aspiring athletes, having heard about the use of steroids by champions, decide that they too can achieve great success if they use stimulants. However, research does not confirm this.

Steroids have the greatest impact on size and strength only when the athlete is in a “plateau” state, that is, he has already achieved everything he could without the use of stimulants. Trained people respond to steroids much better than untrained people. The results increase even more if you continue to train intensively during the period of steroid use.

Steroids allow you to increase the intensity of your workouts. However, this is not so necessary for an athlete who does not expect to win a prestigious competition or has not exhausted his capabilities without using stimulants yet. The health hazards are the same in both cases. A beginner athlete faces the same risks as a more advanced athlete, but receives much less benefit from steroids. The ratio between the degree of risk and the possibility of winning is very unfavorable.

4.13.4. Steroids and the liver

The liver is the largest and most important organ of the human body. One of its functions is the inactivation, detoxification and removal of a number of substances, including anabolic steroids. However, depending on the chemical structure of individual steroids, the liver processes them at different rates. Some steroids are completely removed within 24 hours - this puts a lot of stress on the liver and can lead to liver complications, while others can remain in the body for many days or weeks.

Anabolic steroids are administered in two main ways—by mouth (orally) or by injection. Steroids taken orally, such as Dianabol, are quickly broken down by the liver. Because they are destroyed so quickly, they must be taken in very large doses to achieve the desired effect. This, in turn, increases the toxic effect on the liver.

Steroids given by injection bypass the liver and enter the bloodstream directly. This means that the effective dose, as well as the toxic effect, may be much less. Injectable medications are usually oil-based. Because they take about three days to take effect, the stress on the liver is not as great. Therefore, injectable drugs are considered much safer.

However, although both oral and injectable drugs stimulate protein synthesis, the former generally promote creatine phosphate synthesis and the latter do not.

After interacting with the cells' steroid receptors, the steroid molecules are released back into the bloodstream and used again and again until they are destroyed by the liver. Therefore, if you were injected with 200 mg of a stimulant, the chemical composition of which allows it to last 17 days, the body will destroy 12 mg daily. As a result, on the first day all 200 mg are present in it, on the second - approximately 188, on the third - 176, on the fourth -164, and so on until the entire dose is destroyed. Breaking down such a relatively small amount of steroid each day means that the stress on the liver is not very great.

The situation is different with oral steroids (for example, Dianabol), which have a short shelf life. When taking a 200-milligram dose of this drug, the liver processes all 200 mg within 24 hours, which puts a huge load on it.

Injectable preparations are also water-based. They affect the body much faster.

When an anabolic steroid enters the body, part of it is converted into estrogen, a female hormone. When this happens, larger and larger doses become necessary to maintain the effect. Thus, in addition to possible liver complications, increasing estrogen levels in the body can also have other side effects: for example, increased fat, water retention in the body, and sometimes gynecomastia - the growth of mammary glands in men.

4.13.5 Steroids and teenagers

Boys should not take anabolic steroids to bulk up and increase muscle strength. At this age, the body is already in the most “anabolic state”, because it has an excess of testosterone. Adding synthetic anabolic steroids at this age is completely unnecessary.

Most young athletes (with the exception of rare cases) are still far from reaching a plateau (stagnation).

In addition, steroids can accumulate at the ends of growing bones. A young man who has not yet reached his maximum height may find that steroids inhibit his growth, so that the effects of taking anabolic steroids may become irreversible.

4.13.6. Medical factors

Anabolic steroids are used not only by bodybuilders and representatives of other sports. They have wide therapeutic applications, often used by people who have low levels of hormones, with malnutrition and low weight, in the treatment of skeletal disorders, used before surgical operations to improve the physical condition of the patient and during the postoperative recovery period, and are also used in pediatrics - for growth stimulation under certain circumstances.

Absolute contraindications for the use of steroids are pregnancy, prostate inflammation or breast cancer.

Anabolic steroids have a wide variety of effects on a number of important physiological functions. There can be certain complications when using steroids.

Liver dysfunction

The liver experiences greater stress when using steroids. With long-term use of large doses, progressive cholestatitis and jaundice, hepatitis purpura, bleeding and even liver cancer can occur. There have been deaths among people exposed to this type of therapy. As mentioned above, injected steroids do not inhibit the detoxification function of the liver to the same extent as those administered orally.

Impaired cardiovascular function

The use of steroids can lead to disturbances in the mechanism of blood clotting, glucose metabolism, and changes in the content of triglyceride and cholesterol in the blood. To prevent such consequences, it is recommended to follow a low-fat diet. Oral steroid use can lead to hyperinsulinism, decreased glucose levels, and decreased glucose tolerance associated with apparent insulin resistance. Steroids increase the risk of atherosclerosis (this can be combated with intense aerobic exercise) and increase the level of cortisol, the main stress hormone.

Increased nervous excitability and (or) blood pressure

This can lead to arterial hypertension, as well as radical changes in the fluid-electrolyte balance of the body.

Inhibition of testosterone production function

The body has mechanisms that monitor the amount of testosterone and alert the endocrine system to increase or decrease production of hormones. When taking steroids, the body registers an excessive increase in them and reduces or even stops producing testosterone. This can lead to disturbances in libido and many other physiological functions related to hormone levels (for example, aggression and fat metabolism).

Androgenic effects

Androgenic effects are more likely to occur with long-term use rather than with large doses. These effects may include: growth of hair on the face and body, increased function of the sebaceous glands (oily skin), which leads to the appearance of acne, priapism (constant, often painful erection of the penis), thinning of scalp hair, prostate hypertrophy, as well as premature closure of the epiphysis (closure of the bone endings before the onset of full maturity of the body).

Common symptoms of steroid use

Symptoms indicating the use of anabolic steroids include the following:

Gastrointestinal problems (with oral steroids), including loss of appetite, burning tongue, gagging, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bowel irritation, and bloating (in 1 to 2 percent of those taking oral steroids); muscle cramps and spasms; heightened or inhibited sense of aggressiveness; headache; nosebleeds;

dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, or lethargy;

Skin rash or local reactions at the injection site; inflammation of the nipples;

Gynecomastia (enlarged mammary glands in men); dysfunction of the thyroid gland.

4.13.7. Alcohol and marijuana

It seems to me that here it is enough to say only that after using alcohol or drugs it is absolutely impossible to train hard. Athletes who come to the gym high or under the influence of drugs simply will not be able to achieve the success they are capable of.

4.13.8. "Miracle" pills

New dupes appear literally every minute. Most of them buy a variety of “health” drugs that “guarantee” improved well-being, increased strength, weight loss, and the like. It must be borne in mind that all these remedies are ineffective and do not have a serious effect. If you want to spend your money on "miracle" pills, that's up to you, but don't expect to succeed in bodybuilding without real dedication and hard work.

No “magic” pill will do the job for you!

In a word - if you are not going to participate in bodybuilding competitions, if you are not yet 30-40 years old, think carefully before you start using steroids.

I am by no means a categorical opponent of their use, it is no secret that almost (?) all competing bodybuilders use them (and I am no exception), but we must not forget the following:

Do you really need it? Does the expected effect outweigh the harm that steroids can cause to the body?

What is needed is the guidance of an EXPERIENCED consultant, not a “bloated” jock in the gym,

Quality drugs,

The injections should again be done by an EXPERIENCED healthcare worker. I have repeatedly seen the consequences of violating this rule - huge abscesses (intramuscular inflammation) and their consequences, especially with our medicine - a biceps cut from shoulder to elbow and, accordingly, disability for life. And, to be honest, I experienced this myself in my, excuse me, back seat. So I can say with confidence that it is painful, expensive and unpleasant.

And if you decide, first study the literature on steroids. In my opinion, the best book to date is “Anabolic Review” by Yuri Bombela.

All articles