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01-03-2006 | Original Article

Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in rats chronically treated with anabolic steroid

Authors: Pedro P. Pereira-Junior, Elen A. Chaves, Ricardo H. Costa-e-Sousa, Masako O. Masuda, Antonio C. Campos de Carvalho, José H. M. Nascimento

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2006

Abstract

To date no published data exist regarding the effects of chronic high-dose anabolic-androgenic steroid administration on tonic cardiac autonomic control. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), the effects of chronic treatment with supraphysiological doses of nandrolone decanoate (DECA) on tonic cardiac autonomic regulation in sedentary rats. Male Wistar rats were treated weekly with 10 mg kg⁻¹of DECA (n=7) or vehicle (CONTROL, n=7) for 10 weeks. At the 8th week of treatment, electrocardiogram was recorded in the conscious state, for time- and frequency-domain HRV analysis. Parasympathetic indexes were reduced in DECA group: high-frequency power (CONTROL=11.1±3.0 ms² vs. DECA=3.8±0.6 ms², P<0.05), RMSSD (CONTROL=5.9±0.9 ms vs. DECA 3.5±0.3 ms; P<0.05) and pNN5 (CONTROL=31.5±7.5 ms vs. DECA=13.2±2.6 ms; P<0.05). The sympathetic index LF/HF tended to be higher in DECA group (CONTROL=0.65±0.15 vs. DECA=1.17±0.26, P=0.0546). In conclusion, chronic treatment with DECA, in rats, impairs tonic cardiac autonomic regulation, which may provide a key mechanism for anabolic steroid-induced arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death.

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Title: Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in rats chronically treated with anabolic steroid
Authors: Pedro P. Pereira-Junior
Elen A. Chaves
Ricardo H. Costa-e-Sousa
Masako O. Masuda
Antonio C. Campos de Carvalho
José H. M. Nascimento
Publication date: 01-03-2006
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2006
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0111-7

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Springer Medicine

Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in rats chronically treated with anabolic steroid

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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