Effect of short-term treatment with an anabolic steroid (methandienone) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate on plasma hormones, red cell volume and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in athletes

Abstract

The effects of a one-month course of treatment with a potent anabolic steroid, methandienone (5 and 10 mg daily), and a very weak androgen and hormone precursor, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS, 20 and 40 mg daily) and placebo on plasma testosterone, LH and FSH levels, red cell volume and red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentration in endurance sportsmen were studied using a double-blind test system. A highly significant decrease in mean plasma testosterone was observed after the 5 and 10 mg methandienone regimen (66 and 73%). Treatment with 40 mg of DHEAS decreased mean testosterone levels by 41% (not statistically significant). Pre-test testosterone levels were reattained about 10 days after the end of the treatment period with the higher doses of both compounds, while 2–6 weeks afterwards a significant over-compensation in mean plasma testosterone levels was observed. No significant changes in plasma gonadotropins were seen immediately after treatment with either of these steroids but later a tendency towards decreased FSH and LH levels was observed in the subjects who received the higher doses of both compounds. No significant changes in red cell volume were observed. Red cell 2,3-DPG concentration was unaffected by methandienone, but the 40 mg dosage of DHEAS caused a highly significant decrease in 2,3-DPG (by 26%, which is an unwanted effect for top sportsmen).

Key Words:

• anabolic steroids
• blood volume
• dehydroepiandrosterone
• diphosphoglyceric acids
• FSH
• LH
• sport medicine
• testosterone