Multi-organ damage induced by anabolic steroid supplements 合成代谢类固醇与器官衰竭

The use of anabolic supplements and other related drugs for bodybuilding and enhancing athletic performance is nowadays widespread and acutely pervasive all around the world. This alarming increase in the use of anabolic and amino acid supplements has been linked to a diverse array of pathologies. As previously reported, the abuse of androgenic steroids is not without severe physiological, psychiatric and physical costs. The case we report here describes multi-organ damage resulting from the abuse and uncontrolled use of anabolic steroid supplements, mainly testosterone.

Introduction:
The use of anabolic supplements and other related drugs for body building and to enhance athletic performance is nowadays widespread and acutely pervasive all around the world. This alarming increase in the use of anabolic and amino acid supplements has been linked to a diverse array of pathologies. As previously reported, the abuse of androgenic steroids is not without severe physiological, psychiatric and physical costs. The case we report here describes multi-organ damage resulting from the abuse and uncontrolled use of anabolic steroid supplements, mainly testosterone.

Case presentation:
A 24-year-old white man presented with abdominal pain concomitant with nausea and vomiting. Laboratory analysis revealed hypercalcemia, elevated liver enzymes and high levels of amylase, lipase and creatine protein kinase.

Conclusion:
Amino acid as well as anabolic supplements may lead to abnormal functioning of many organs, which could be fatal in some instances. This mandates worldwide and concerted efforts to educate the public, especially the youth, about the dangers of these increasingly abused drugs.

Reference:
Ali A Samaha1, Walid Nasser-Eddine1, Elizabeth Shatila, John J Haddad, Jaafar Wazne and Ali H Eid. (2008). Multi-organ damage induced by anabolic steroid supplements: a case report and literature review. Journal of Medical Case Reports 2008, 2:340 doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-340