Building Mass and Strength
Mass- and Strength-enhancing drugs used by athletes
include:
Anabolic Steroids
Beta-2 Agonists
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Human Growth Hormone (hGH)
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1)
Insulin
Anabolic Steroids
A steroid is a chemical substance derived from cholesterol.
The body has several major steroid hormones (cortisol
and testosterone in the male, estrogen and progesterone
in the female). Catabolic steroids break down tissue,
and anabolic steroids build up tissue. Anabolic steroids
build muscle and bone mass primarily by stimulating
the muscle and bone cells to make new protein.
Athletes use anabolic steroids because they increase
muscle strength by encouraging new muscle growth.
Anabolic steroids are similar in structure to the
male sex hormone, testosterone, so they enhance male
reproductive and secondary sex characteristics (testicle
development, hair growth, thickening of the vocal
cords). They allow the athlete to train harder and
longer at any given period.
Anabolic steroids are mostly testosterone (male sex
hormone) and its derivatives (natural, artificial).
Examples of anabolic steroids include:
testosterone
dihydrotestosterone
androstenedione (Andro)
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
clostebol
nandrolone
These substances can be injected or taken as pills.
Anabolic steroids have a number of possible and well
known side effects, including:
jaundice and liver damage because these substances
are normally broken down in the liver
mood swings, depression and aggression because they
act on various centers of the brain
In males, the excessive concentrations interfere with
normal sexual function and cause:
baldness
infertility
breast development
In females, the excessive concentrations cause male
characteristics to develop and interfere with normal
female functions. The drugs can:
stimulate hair growth on the face and body
suppress or interfere with menstrual cycle, possibly
leading to infertility
thicken the vocal cords, which causes the voice to
deepen, possibly permanently
if pregnant, interfere with the developing fetus
Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonists
When inhaled, beta-2 agonists relax the smooth muscle
in the airways of asthma patients by mimicking the
actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine, substances
that are secreted by sympathetic nerves. However when
injected into the bloodstream, these drugs can build
muscle mass (anabolic effect) and reduce body fat
(catabolic effect). The anabolic effect appears to
directly affect building proteins in the muscles,
which is independent of nervous or cardiovascular
effects. Some examples of beta-2 agonists include:
clenbuterol
tertbutaline (Bricanyl)
salbutamol (Ventolin)
fenoterol
bambuterol
Some of these substances (Ventolin, Bricanyl) are
permitted in inhaler forms with written medical consent.
The major side effects include :
nausea, headaches and dizziness because these substances
constrict blood vessels in the brain
muscle cramps because they constrict blood vessels
in muscles
rapid heart beats or flutters because they stimulate
heart rate
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
hCG is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced
by the developing fetus and detected in most home
pregnancy kits. hCG stimulates the development of
natural male and female sex steroids (testosterone,
estrogen and progesterone). The increase in testosterone
levels in males by the use of hCG would stimulate
muscle development as with anabolic steroids. hCG
is not banned in female athletes because it would
not lead to muscle development and might naturally
occur in high levels if the athlete is pregnant. The
side effects of hCG in males are the same as those
of anabolic steroids.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
LH is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary
gland at the base of the brain. LH is important for
maintaining normal levels of testosterone in the male
and estrogen in the female. In women, a surge of LH
during mid-cycle is the signal for ovulation. In men,
excess LH or artificial LH derivatives (tamoxifen)
would increase testosterone levels and have the same
effects as anabolic steroids. Although no general
side effects exist, any possible side effects might
be similar to those of anabolic steroids.
Human Growth Hormone (hGH)
hGH is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced
by the pituitary gland and is important for normal
human growth and development, especially in children
and teenagers. Low hGH levels in children and teenagers
result in dwarfism. Excessive hGH levels increase
muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis, strengthen
bones by stimulating bone growth and reduce body fat
by stimulating the breakdown of fat cells. Use of
hGH has become increasingly popular because it is
difficult to detect. Side effects include:
overgrowth of hand, feet, and face (acromegaly) because
of the increased muscle and bone development in these
parts.
enlarged internal organs, especially heart, kidneys,
tongue and liver.
heart problems.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1)
IGF-1, which is also called somatomedin-C, is a naturally
occurring protein that helps in the action of hGH.
It also stimulates protein synthesis and reduces fat.
Excessive IGF-1 would increase muscle and bone mass
as hGH does. Side effects include low blood sugar
(hypoglycemia) and other side effects similar to hGH.
Insulin
Insulin is a natural protein hormone produced by the
pancreas, which is important for metabolism of sugars,
starches, fats, and proteins. It is necessary for
the treatment of juvenile (Type I) diabetes. In athletes,
insulin combined with anabolic steroids or hGH could
increase muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis.
Side effects are mainly low blood sugar associated
with shaking, nausea and weakness, but excessive hypoglycemia
can lead to coma and death.
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