Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Metabolic Pathway PowerPoint by Maggie Spielman

Anabolic Androgenic Steroids From testosterone (nineteen carbon atoms; four rings) Stimulates muscle growth Anabolic – building up Androgenic – involving male sexual characteristics Affect reproductive tissues, the liver and kidneys, the immune and central nervous systems

Lipid soluble hormone (testosterone or anabolic steroid) Secretory Cell Via Blood Target Cell Lipid soluble hormone (testosterone or anabolic steroid) Plasma Membrane Nucleus Transport protein

Pathway Photos

Facts Normal steroids (testosterone, estrogen) - initiate metabolism for production and consumption of energy Androgen anabolic steroids (synthesized from testosterone) – lead to growth and enhancement or masculine characteristics in the body Normally, testosterone levels vary from 270- 1,070 ng/dL in adult males, but only 15-70 ng/dL in adult females

Effects Everyone - increased acne, baldness, bad breath, aching joints, and increased risk of some cancers Men – decrease in natural production of testosterone, reduced sperm production, development of breasts Women – irreversible masculinizing: deep voice, decrease in breast size, facial hair, life threatening liver damage from 17a- alkylated steroids Withdrawal symptoms – range from restlessness to suicidal thoughts and mania

Effects on Muscle Mass 1) increased production of protein 2) reduced recovery time by blocking cortisol, a stress hormone, on muscle tissue, so catabolism is greatly reduced