Contrasting effects of testosterone and stanozolol on serum lipoprotein levels

JAMA. 1989 Feb 24;261(8):1165-8.

Abstract

Oral anabolic steroids produce striking reductions in serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. We hypothesized that this effect related to their route of administration and was unrelated to their androgenic potency. We administered oral stanozolol (6 mg/d) or supraphysiological doses of intramuscular testosterone enanthate (200 mg/wk) to 11 male weight lifters for six weeks in a crossover design. Stanozolol reduced HDL-cholesterol and the HDL2 subfraction by 33% and 71%, respectively. In contrast, testosterone decreased HDL-cholesterol concentration by only 9% and the decrease was in the HDL3 subfraction. Apolipoprotein A-I level decreased 40% during stanozolol but only 8% during testosterone treatment. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration increased 29% with stanozolol and decreased 16% with testosterone treatment. Stanozolol, moreover, increased postheparin hepatic triglyceride lipase activity by 123%, whereas the maximum change during testosterone therapy (+25%) was not significant. Weight gain was similar with both drugs, but testosterone was more effective in suppressing gonadotropic hormones. We conclude that the undesirable lipoprotein effects of 17-alpha-alkylated steroids given orally are different from those of parenteral testosterone and that the latter may be preferable in many clinical situations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Body Weight
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Male
  • Stanozolol / administration & dosage
  • Stanozolol / pharmacology*
  • Testosterone / administration & dosage
  • Testosterone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Testosterone / pharmacology
  • Time Factors
  • Weight Lifting

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Testosterone
  • Stanozolol
  • testosterone enanthate