Potential participation of glycation and anabolic androgenic steroids in young man’s aneurysm development: case report

ABSTRACT

Background

A young patient was found dead due to rupture of the thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Physical phenotype suggested anabolic androgenic steroids use. The research hypothesis was that intense glycation and anabolic steroids may contribute to the remodeling of the artery to develop an aneurysm.

Methods

Immunoenzymatic methods (immunochistochemistry and ELISA) and spectrofluorimetry were used.

Results

Immunohistochemical reaction shows the presence of advanced glycation end products (AGE). Receptors for AGE: scavenger receptor A and B and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) are located mainly in the adventitia in lymphocytes. Comparing the artery content of AGE and AGE receptors from the group of scavenging receptors, we find that AGE and SR-A are relatively low, and the content of SR-B – a protein that also binds high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – is relatively high.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the patient had not intensified glycation. The analysis of the literature on the subject shows data that anabolic steroids could even inhibit the development of an aneurysm. Thus, we reject the research hypothesis that steroids and intensified glycation could be the cause of death here, and we conclude that it is necessary to study the content of AGE and their receptors on a greater number of aortic sections from patients with aneurysm, including patients with diabetes.

KEYWORDS:

• Aneurysm
• glycation
• anabolic androgenic steroids

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.