From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: misc.fitness
Subject: Incredible ignorance and misinformation on anabolic steroids
Date: 31 Jul 92 15:54:03 GMT
Article-I.D.: spdcc.1992Jul31.155403.20561
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

In article <1992Jul31.103156.253@ginger.hnrc.tufts.edu> loszewski_im@ginger.hnrc.tufts.edu writes:
>> a) What are the characteristics / side effects of steroid use/abuse?
>>
>I can be too specific, because I don't have the literature here with me, but
>it involves the production of cortisol.

Nonsense.  Corticosteroids such as cortisol (hydrocortisone), and the
various synthetics like prednisone have NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with
anabolic steroids, which are congeners of androgens, the male sex hormones.

>In a nutshell, cortisol binds to your
>cells which in turn causes your cells to react is some way.  Steroids compete
>with the cortisol for binding sites on the surfaces of the cells.

Well, corticosteroids do.  But they also are fully active agonists.
Anabolic steroids do not compete for corticosteroid receptors.
If they did, you'd see side-effects like Addison's Disease, evidence
of adrenal insufficiency.  RU-486 (mifepristone), the anti-progestin
used as an abortifacient, also blocks corticosteroid receptors, and
such side effects might be expected during chronic administration.
But RU-486 isn't an anabolic steroid.

Listen: the word "steroid" is a generic term.  It says nothing
about its physiological actions.  Some steroids are female sex hormones,
some control sodium, potassium and water balance, some have pervasive
effects on the immune system and carbohydrate metabolism, and some
have effects like male sex hormones.  This last class is what we're
talking about when we're discussing "steroids" in misc.fitness.

>When the 
>cortisol can't bind, the body in turn increases production of it to compensate
>for the lack of binding.  When a person all of sudden stops taking steroids,
>all of the cortisol binds and the body emerges into a rapid catabolic state.
>The body literally eats itself and anything else in sight.  

Ridiculous nonsense.

>There is no control over this and it can last for over a month.  That is why
>steroid users end up losing alot of weight when they go off of the steroids
>before a competition.  I realize this is really generalized, but the article
>that I got this from was from a past Muscle and Fitness.  I have it at home.

Oh, then it MUST be right.

>Side effects are as follows.  Gynecomatstia or excess fat deposits in the 
>nipples.

Gynecomastia.

Most anabolic steroids can be aromatized to estrogen, thereby causing
this effect.  Some (e.g. oxandrolone (Anavar)) cannot.  Liver damage
caused by the steroids can enhance the aromatization of these compounds.

>Acromegaly with prolonged use.

Acromegaly is the result of excessive GH release.  Anabolic steroids
do not cause acromegaly.

>Acne which is caused usually by
>fake steroids.

Sebum and oil production is directly under the control of DHT
(dihydrotestosterone) receptors, which would be expected to be
stimulated by anabolic steroids.  This in turn can cause acne
in individuals predisposed.

>With continual use you can get splenomegaly or enlarged
>spleen, as well as en enlarged liver.  Your spleen and liver are enlarged from
>all the junk that is floating around in your system from the steroids.  They
>have to work harder to filter out everything.

Most orally active anabolic steroids have a 17-alpha methyl substituent
which prevents them from being inactivated by the liver in the first pass
after absorption from the gut.  Unfortunately, this also seems to endow
these compounds with a degree of liver toxicity.  Usually this is sub-
clinical, meaning that it might be manifest only as an asymptomatic
elevation of certain liver enzymes.  But with chronic high doses, and
depending on an individual's susceptibility, this could progress to
hepatitis, cysts or even cirrhosis or (rarely) liver cancer.

>Your kidneys also become
>enlarged and your cholesterol count skyrockets.

Androgens tend to have unfavorable effects on serum cholesterol.

You know, I would be a lot more careful about the kind of information
you're giving out.  A good idea might be to not necessarily trust peer-
reviewed journals like "Muscle and Fitness".  Getting a bit of an
education on physiology and endocrinology shouldn't be too difficult
if you're at the Tufts USDA nutrition center.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
Newsgroups: misc.fitness