EVOLUTION OF SERUM-LIPIDS IN 2 MALE BODYBUILDERS USING ANABOLIC-STEROIDS

We followed weekly the evolution of serum lipid concentrations in two bodybuilders undergoing a cycle of treatment with anabolic steroids. T hese drugs caused maximum depression of high-density lipoprotein chole sterol concentrations by 69.1% in the fifth week after the beginning o f the cycle for subject 1, and by 72.4% in the fourth week for subject 2. Maximum increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentra tions were 144% and 156%, respectively. Total cholesterol and apolipop rotein (apo)B were highly increased with anabolic steroid use, We also saw depression of apo A-I by 84% and 91%, and lipoprotein(a) decrease d to undetectable amounts in both cases. These effects were reversed 1 0 weeks after the end of the steroid cycle in subject 1, but subject 2 still presented abnormal concentrations of serum lipids 13 weeks afte r drug cessation, The periods until reversibility of anabolic steroid effects on lipids were longer than those reported in previous studies.