ANABOLIC STEROIDS
The Tissue Building Drugs
By M. J. Salvati
(EDITOR'S NOTE-We have mentioned in many previous issues the topic of so called tissue building drugs. We have also mentioned that we personally do not approve of them for we feel that dangerous possible side effects make these drugs undesirable for men in good condition. Several doctors are now conducting tests with bodybuilders with the drugs mentioned below and also another new drug called Winstrol which they feel may show reduced side effects if any. While we do not approve the use of these drugs for muscle development in healthy men, we do want to present a factual picture of the whole thing since we realize that a very large percentage of the top bodybuilders and weightlifters as well as other athletes are taking these drugs. Because of their present wide usage by thousands of men we feel extensive research should be done to determine exact results in both tissue growth and side effects if they do exist or might show up later. We will carry more articles in further issues concerning these experiments and also on reported side effects. We have received unconfirmed reports of very, very serious results from these drugs and want to verify them before making any report.)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The following material represents an attempt to provide certain factual information about a class of anabolic steroids popularly termed "tissue-building drugs". The information in this article was garnered from reputable sources, but the author cannot guarantee its accuracy. This article should not be construed as the author's endorsement of the use of anabolic steroids nor any suggestion for or against their use.
PROTEIN anabolism, one of the most important metabolic processes associated with tissue growth, is characterized by a positive nitrogen balance and indicated by low urinary-nitrogen excretion. It is necessary not only for growth, but also for the replacement of worn-out tissues. The factors influencing protein metabolism are many and varied; dietary protein intake, vitamin-mineral intake, and hormone and enzyme production are prominent factors. Previously, changes in protein anabolism for the purpose of increasing muscular mass were brought about solely by altering the dietary factors. Now, by virtue of their action on the body's growth-stimulating hormones, anabolic steroids offer another method of influencing protein anabolism. Keep in mind however, that anabolic agents merely aid in storing and retaining proteinaceous material, so the diet must be adequate to begin with. The proteins, vitamins, and minerals necessary for the formation of muscular tissue must be available in sufficient quantity to fully realize the anabolic effects of these steroids.
The growth-promoting effects of anabolic steroids were recognized more than 30 years ago. They reduce nitrogen loss and promote the synthesis of muscular tissue. Early steroids used as growth stimulators were testosterone propionate and methyl testosterone. These anabolic agents caused marked improvement in the nitrogen balances of patients using them. Unfortunately, the undesirable androgenic (sex-stimulating) effects of these early drugs made their use impractical except in cases of extreme necessity. Over the years, research developed additional anabolic steroids which featured increased anabolic action with minimum androgenic action. These included norethandrolone (Nilevar), fluoxymesterone, oxymesterone, and finally methandrostenone (Dianabol). Under carefully controlled conditions, Dianabol has been used as a therapeutic drug for improving the status of the chronically underweight, to speed convalescence, and improve the vitality of the elderly. A number of researchers and physicians have produced weight gains of 3 to 8 lbs. per month through the use of this steroid. (1) All of the aforementioned studies were conducted on medical patients; no attempts to force increases in their caloric intake were reported. To my knowledge, no studies were conducted on adult males in top physical condition who were especially desirous of increasing their bodyweight (e.g. bodybuilders, football players, wrestlers). The following are selective abstracts of two well-documented studies; only the findings applicable to adult males are reported here:
1. An average weight gain of 3.3 lbs./month was observed by Kolodny in a group of 16 adult males receiving 10 mg. of Dianabol per day. (2) These men were hospital patients and were not force-fed. No side effects were reported in this group.
2. The relative effect of methandrostenolene in reducing the excretion of urinary nitrogen is about 10 times greater than that of the older methyltestosterone, according to a study by Liddle and Burke. (3) Furthermore, doses of Dianabol as low as 1.25 mg/day were effective in decreasing urinary nitrogen excretion. Nitrogen losses were further decreased as the dosage was increased, although this effect leveled off around 10 mg/day dosage. However, in subsequent studies it was found that the weight gain produced by one month of therapy was as great with doses of 2.5 mg/day as it was with much higher daily doses. No androgenic side effects were observed in adult males. However, when Dianabol was used for more than one week at high dosage levels (over 10 mg/day), liver function was slightly affected, as indicated by bromsulfphalein retention, but no complications arose and the condition was reversible.
REFERENCES
(1.) CIBA Pharmaceutical Co.: Dianabol, Orally Effective Anabolic Agent, Aug. 1963, p. 13.
(2.) Kolodny, A. L.: Methandrostenolone (Dianabol) in the Clinical Management of Weight Deficit; Medical Times, Jan. 1963.
(3.) Liddle, G. W., and Burke, H. A. Jr.: Helvetica Medica Acta, Vol. 27, 1960, p. 504-513.