Lecture 16- Steroids Flashcards
What are steroids?
Anabolic-androgenic steroids which is considered a synthetic testosterone
What does Anabolic do?
Increases muscle mass
What does Androgenic do?
Masculinising
How can steroids be used clinically?
May be used to therapeutically treat conditions eg low testo/hypogonadism
What are the origins of steroids?
Known that the testes have led to behavioural changes in men during puberty and in 1930s testosterone was isolated and numerous synthetic androgens were developed.
How are steroids linked to sports?
-Can be taken orally or injected but also patches and gels. -Athletes and sprinters use low doses to improve performance.
But oral steroids potentially metabolised too fast in liver to act which led to variants designed to avoid metabolism problems
What are Androgenic effects?
Development and maintenance of libido Increased density of facial and body hair Pubertal voice alterations
What are Anabolic effects?
Increased skeletal muscle mass Increased size of organs Altered distribution of body fat
What is a possible hypothesis of the neural mechanisms behind steroids?
Main point then 3 step process
Steroids act at androgen receptors
-Androgen receptors are present in cytoplasm of skeletal muscle -Androgens bind and activate receptor which moves to cell nucleus and regulates DNA transcription of specific genes. -Androgen activation increases protein synthesis and muscle growth
What is a criticism of the main neural mechanism of steroids hypothesis?
Some argue androgen receptors are already saturated so how do steroids work on them?
What is the 2nd possible hypothesis of neural mechanisms of steroids?
Steroid treatment induces receptor expression in muscle.
What is the 3rd potential hypothesis of neural mechanisms of steroids?
Androgens are antagonists for glucocorticoid hormones which are catabolic so decrease protein synthesis and increase protein breakdown.
What happens with chronic addiction of steroids?
Take more than intended, can’t cut down, continue using despite problems caused.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of steroids?
Fatigue, depression, insomnia, restlessness, anorexia
What are the usage trends of steroids?
-no reports of mice self-administration. -Doesn’t produce euphoria or withdrawal cravings. -Suggests initially reinforcing due to effect on body image but dependence only occurs for those with obsessions as not psychoactive steroid
What are the lab studies of steroids?
-Systematic testo and testo in nucleus accumbens both produce a conditioned place preference in mice as nucleus accumbens is a neural substrate of reward. - The place preference is blocked by the D1/D2 antagonist -flupentixol (not chemically related to testosterone)
What are the cardiovascular effects of steroids?
Hypertension, blood clotting
What are the effects on liver from steroids?
Jaundice, tumours
What are the effects on skin and hair from steroids?
Increased oiliness, severe acne, male pattern baldness
What are the growth effects from steroids?
Growth stunting
What are the specific effects of steroid on males?
Prostate enlargement, testicular shrinkage
What are the steroid effects on females?
Deepening of voice, excessive hair growth, decreased breast size
What are the behavioural effects of steroids?
Increased libido, increased irritability
What are the social and legal issues of steroids?
Anabolic steroids are classified as a Class C drug, meaning they’re only available on prescription.
BUT- actually easier to access due to social media and online access.
