Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones related to testosterone. Bodybuilders often use them to build muscle and to improve sports performance. New research being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA, reveals that athletes who use anabolic steroids may gain muscle and get stronger, but they are also harming their kidneys. While certain side effects were already known, such as heart problems and liver disease, the paper indicates serious harmful effects on the kidneys that were not previously recognised.
The study, conducted by Leal Herlitz, MD (Columbia University Medical Center) and her colleagues, reports that use of anabolic steroids over the long-term injures the kidneys. Bodybuilders who participated in the study developed protein leaks into their urine and significant reductions in kidney function. Ninety percent of the participants had “focal segmental glomerulosclerosis”, a condition in which the kidneys become scarred from being overworked. The damage in bodybuilders is even worse than that seen in morbidly obese patients.
"Athletes who use anabolic steroids and the doctors caring for them need to be aware of the potentially serious risks to the kidney," said Dr. Herlitz.
Steroid use goes beyond competitive athletes and sportsman. Another recent study revealed that although athletes are tempted to take steroids to improve sports performance, the majority takes them to improve their physical appearance. They also seek increased confidence, decreased fat, better mood, and to attract romantic partners.
Whatever the reason for taking steroids, participants in the Columbia University study who stopped taking steroids did improve kidney functioning in all but one bodybuilder, who developed kidney failure. A participant who later returned to steroid use developed severe kidney dysfunction. The researchers hypothesise that the significant increases in muscle mass that body builders aim for cause the kidneys to increase their output, stressing the organs. The steroids themselves also are likely poisonous to the kidneys.
