Aquatic Plyometric Training Associated with Androgenic Anabolic Steroids do not Increase Muscle Mass in Rats

To improve athletic performance or for aesthetic reasons, athletes and no athletes may use androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS). Numerous studies have reported that aquatic plyometric training (APT) can improve muscular strength and vertical jump; however the effect of these training protocols on muscular mass are poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of APT associated with AAS in the soleus, gastrocnemius (Gastro), extensor digitorium longus (EDL) and tibialis anterior (TA) skeletal muscles in rats. Animals were grouped into: sedentary (S); S with AAS (AAS); trained (T); and T with AAS (AAST). Exercised groups performed jumps in water: 4 series of 10 jumps each and 30-second rest interval between series, for 7 weeks with a progressive overload of 50 to 80% of body weight and were killed after the last exercise session. Nandrolone decanoate (5 mg/kg – supraphysiological dose) was injected subcutaneously twice a week. One way analyses of variance was performed and there was no statistically significant difference between groups in EDL (p=0.169), TA (p=0.739), Gastro (p=0.722) and Soleus (p=1.000) muscles. AAS, training or their association induced no alterations in the weight of the studied muscles. In conclusion, the APT did not increase the muscle weight as well as the association with AAS treatment

Nandrolone Decanoate associated with exercise training inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression in rat soleus muscle

Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) have been used for both performance improvement and aesthetic reasons. It is well know that high doses of AAS induce serious adverse effects such as skeletal muscle injuries, including increase in the rate of muscle strains/ruptures. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key factor in angiogenesis induction on both physiological and pathological conditions The aim of this study was to investigate VEGF mRNA expression in rat soleus muscle after jumping training associated with AAS administration. Wistar rats were grouped into: sedentary (S); trained without AAS (T); sedentary nandrolone decanoate (ND)-treated (AAS); and trained with AAS (AAST). The trained groups carried out jumps in water at 32°C.: 4 series of 10 jumps each, with a 30-second interval among series, for 7 weeks, with 50-80% overload of the animal corporal mass. The AAS (Decadurabolin® - 5mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously in the animal’s back twice a week. Real-time PCR analyses showed that training significantly increased VEGF mRNA expression in comparison with the S and AAS groups. When exercise training was associated with nandrolone decanoate, the VEGF mRNA expression was inhibited compared with T group. The inhibition of VEGF expression by AAS administration can decrease angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that the AAS may be strongly prejudicial to muscle remodeling and performance

Strength training and nandrolone decanoate decreased myostatin expression

Nandrolone decanoate is a androgenic anabolic steroid (AAS) which targets the satellite cells in skeletal muscles. These cells are considered the stem cells of skeletal muscle, and they are essential for muscle growth and repair. Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle mass that inhibits myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Recognizing the mechanisms related to AAS action in skeletal muscle is critical for a better understand of muscular physiology under AAS use. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aquatic plyometric training (APT) with overload associated with AAS on the gastrocnemius muscle of rats. Animals were grouped into: sedentary (S); S with AAS (AAS); trained (T); and T with AAS (AAST). Exercised groups performed jumps in water: 4 sets of 10 jumps each and 30-second rest interval between series, for 7 weeks with a progressive overload of 50 to 80% of body weight and were killed after the last exercise session. AAS (5 mg/kg – supraphysiological dose) was injected subcutaneously. One-way Anova and Turkey post hoc tests were used. Myostatin mRNA expression was determined by real-time RT-PCR. p\u3c0.05 was considered statistically significant. APT did not change myostatin expression (p=0.873). However, the interaction with AAS downregulated myostatin (p=0.039). EAA and EAAT groups expressed less myostatin than the group T (p=0.013 and p=0.009, respectively). These results should be taken with care, since other variables related to muscle remodeling should be evaluated