Steroids: Use & Misuse

The steroid is a basic nucleus, responsible for constituting an entirely different group, known as a derived lipid. Chemically, the steroid is constituted of four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration, seventeen carbon atoms, bonded in four "fused" rings: three six-member cyclohexane rings and one five-member cyclopentane ring. 

Steroid nucleus 

Anabolic steroids, or more accurately, anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS), [@] which include natural androgens like testosterone as well as synthetic androgens that are structurally related and have similar effects to testosterone. Among the anabolic activities, like increase protein within cells, especially in skeletal muscles, while androgenic activity includes, induction of the development and maintenance of masculine secondary sexual characteristics (growth of facial and body hair). As far as the biological function of steroids is concerned, it can be divided into two groups. One is as a constituent of the cell membrane that provided fluidity to membrane and second function includes singling molecules. The present discussion shall be confined to the function of steroids as a singling molecule for anabolic (constitutive metabolism) and androgenic properties, and their modulation by taking synthetic substitutes. I shall discuss the various pros and cons of application of artificial steroids, taken by athletes and senior fellows to regain their androgenic (masculine) capabilities.

Therefore, people use the anabolic or androgenic steroids according to their requirements. Actually, the application of steroid depends upon their androgenic/ anabolic ratio, which depends upon the substitution of side groups. However, these compounds are taken i.v. i.m., cutaneous, oral as per prescription. Nevertheless, most of the cases of steroid applications are subjected to overconsumption even beyond the doctor's prescriptions. 

Testosterone Metabolism:

Testosterone found in plasma as bounded with protein (albumin and γ-globulin). Recent evidence indicates that testosterone is converted in target tissues to the more potent dihydrotestosterone, which may be an active intracellular androgen. Principal metabolites of testosterone are androsterone, etiocholanolone, and the major 17-ketosteroids (17-oxosteroids, 17-OXOS) in urine. In addition, a small quantity of DHEA is also excreted as sulfate.

metabolic outline of Testosterone 

The major pathway of degradation of testosterone in the liver involves oxidation to androstenedione and subsequent saturation of double bond in ring A (Δ4) and reduction of ketone groups. Testicular steroid secretion can be stimulated by ICSH knew in female physiology. In the male regulating androgen secretion, ICSH is the principal gonadotrophin. In the case of the ovary and adrenal cortex, cyclic AMP is an intermediate in the mechanism of hormone action. Mitochondrial conversion of cholesterol to 5-pregnenolone is a rate-limiting step, especially 20-hydroxylation reaction of cholesterol for the adrenal cortex and the ovary. Gonadotrophins may also influence this step.

Anabolic steroids (testosterone's derivatives) are thought to exert their actions by several different mechanisms by modulating androgen receptor expression as a consequence of (i) intracellular metabolism and by (ii) directly affecting the topology of the androgen receptor and thus subsequent interaction with co-activators and transcriptional activity. (iii) an anticatabolic effect by interfering with glucocorticoid receptor expression; and (iv) by non-genomic, as well as by genomic pathways, in the CNS resulting in behavioural changes. 

Why AAS are used?

Anabolic

1. Bone marrow stimulation: AAS to treat hypoplastic anaemias
2. Growth stimulation:
3. Stimulation of appetite and preservation and an increase of muscle mass: people with chronic wasting conditions such as cancer and AIDS
4. Stimulation of lean body mass and prevention of bone loss in elderly men,
5. Prevention or treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
6. Aiding weight gain following surgery or physical trauma, during chronic infection, or in the context of unexplained weight loss.
7. Counteracting the catabolic effect of long-term corticosteroid therapy.
8. Improves recovering from severe burns and is well-established as a safe treatment for this indication.
9. In the treatment of idiopathic short stature, hereditary angioedema, alcoholic hepatitis, and hypogonadism.
10. In the treatment of delayed puberty, hypogonadism, cryptorchidism, and erectile dysfunction.
11. And also to treat menopausal symptoms, postpartum breast pain and engorgement, and breast cancer in women.

Androgenic

1. Androgen replacement therapy for men with low levels of testosterone; also effective in improving libido for elderly males
2. Induction of male puberty: to boys distressed about the extreme delay of puberty. Testosterone is now nearly the only androgen used for this purpose, to increase height, weight, and fat-free mass.
3. Masculinizing hormone therapy for transgender men, other trans-masculine people, and intersex people, by producing masculine secondary sexual characteristics such as a voice deepening, increased bone and muscle mass, masculine fat distribution, facial and body hair, and clitoral enlargement, as well as mental changes such as alleviation of gender dysphoria and increased sex drive.

Other

1. Treatment of breast cancer in women,
2. In low doses as a component of hormone therapy for postmenopausal and transgender women, for instance, to increase energy, well-being, libido, and quality of life, as well as to reduce hot flashes.
3. Male hormonal contraception; currently experimental, but a potential for use as effective, safe, reliable, and reversible male contraceptives.

 Conclusion
According to natural law every individual growing with time and is designated as ageing. Accordingly, there are alterations in the various metabolic process which proceeds towards the death. Being human nature, everyone is trying to overcome it and to prevent ageing. In the same paradigm, everyone always wants to be young forever which frontrunners to search for this problem. As the workers believe that hormones are super masters, they ultimately come up with a treatment to additional hormones supply under medical supervision. And here the question arises, how safe this practice is?
Besides the huge amount of literature available on this topic in the scientific arena, but one field still seems somewhat barren which may be explored also in order to get some better results? Application of natural sources of hormone and their applications may be explored which could have applied values too. Moreover, reports say that administration or other means of application of external hormone gives these results but a concurrent picture with its interactions along with other pathophysiological conditions is still to be explored.