Effects of the anabolic steroid nandrolone decanoate on plasma lipids and coronary arteries of female cynomolgus macaques☆

Abstract 

In this study, we examined the effect of nandrolone decanoate, an anabolic steroid (AS), on plasma lipid concentrations and coronary arteries of female cynomolgus monkeys fed a moderately atherogenic diet. There were four treatment groups: (1) intact, sham-ovariectomized (n = 12); (2) ovariectomized (OVX) + placebo for 2 years (n = 15); (3) OVX + nandrolone decanoate for 2 years (n = 14); and (4) OVX + nandrolone decanoate beginning 1 year after ovariectomy (n = 11). Serial blood samples were analyzed for total plasma cholesterol (TPC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very—low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) plus low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol, and estradiol. All animals were necropsied after 2 years, and the coronary arteries were evaluated. There was no difference in plasma lipid concentrations between groups (P > .05) at any time. Coronary artery atherosclerosis extent (plaque size) was significantly greater in the group administered nandrolone for 2 years compared with the intact sham-operated group (P < .05), but not with the OVX + placebo group. The groups administered nandrolone had significantly larger arteries than the other two groups. Lumen area was significantly larger in the group given nandrolone for 1 year compared with all other groups (P < .05). All artery effects remained after controlling the statistical analysis for body weight. Longer-term treatment with nandrolone resulted in increased plaque size, and therefore, the possible benefit of increased lumen area was compromised. The data also suggest that nandrolone was converted to estradiol, and this conversion also may play a role in the arterial and lipid effects observed.

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