EFFECTS OF THE ANABOLIC-STEROID NANDROLONE DECANOATE ON PLASMA-LIPIDSAND CORONARY-ARTERIES OF FEMALE CYNOMOLGUS MACAQUES

In this study, we examined the effect of nandrolone decanoate, an anab olic steroid (AS), on plasma lipid concentrations and coronary arterie s of female cynomolgus monkeys fed a moderately atherogenic diet. Ther e were four treatment groups: (1) intact, sham-ovariectomized (n = 12) ; (2) ovariectomized (OVX) + placebo for 2 years (n = 15); (3) OVX + n androlone decanoate for 2 years (n = 14); and (4) OVX + nandrolone dec anoate beginning 1 year after ovariectomy (n = 11). Serial blood sampl es were analyzed for total plasma cholesterol (TPC), high-density lipo protein cholesterol (HDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) plu s low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol, and estradiol. All anim als were necropsied after 2 years, and the coronary arteries were eval uated. There was no difference in plasma lipid concentrations between groups (P > .05) at any time. Coronary artery atherosclerosis extent ( plaque size) was significantly greater in the group administered nandr olone for 2 years compared with the intact sham-operated group (P < .0 5), but not with the OVX + placebo group. The groups administered nand rolone had significantly larger arteries than the other two groups. Lu men area was significantly larger in the group given nandrolone for 1 year compared with all other groups (P < .05). All artery effects rema ined after controlling the statistical analysis for body weight. Longe r-term treatment with nandrolone resulted in increased plaque size, an d therefore, the possible benefit of increased lumen area was compromi sed. The data also suggest that nandrolone was converted to estradiol, and this conversion also may play a role in the arterial and lipid ef fects observed. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company