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Administration of the anabolic androgenic steroid nandrolone decanoate affects substance P endopeptidase-like activity in the rat brain.

The effect of the anabolic androgenic steroid, nandrolone decanoate, on substance P endopeptidase-like activity was examined in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Nandrolone decanoate (15 mg/kg day) or oil vehicle (sterile arachidis oleum) were administered by intramuscular injections during 14 days. Substance P endopeptidase, a predominantly cytosolic enzyme, generates the bioactive N-terminal fragment substance P(1-7) from the enzyme substrate substance P. Nandrolone decanoate significantly reduced the substance P endopeptidase-like activity compared to control animals in hypothalamus (43% reduction), caudate putamen (44%), substantia nigra (32%) and the ventral tegmental area (27%). It was previously reported that both hypothalamus and caudate putamen contained significantly higher levels of substance P after nandrolone administration. The higher concentration of substance P in these regions could to an extent be attributed to the reduction in substance P endopeptidase-like activity. This result elucidates the important role of peptidase activity in the regulation of the substance P transmitter system. The present study provides additional support for the hypothesis that alterations in the substance P system in certain brain areas may contribute to some of the personality changes reported in connection with AAS abuse.

Amygdala↗

The effects of nandrolone decanoate on cocaine-induced kindling in male rats.

Use and abuse of various controlled substances in recent years has reached alarming levels. Among these are cocaine and anabolic steroids. The two contrasting types of drug have common sites of action within the limbic system of the central nervous system. The ability of cocaine to provoke seizures is well documented, and sex hormones also have been shown to alter seizure types and characteristics. This project studied the consequences of co-administration of cocaine and a representative anabolic-androgenic steroid, nandrolone decanoate. Specifically, the effects of nandrolone on cocaine-induced kindling of seizures were examined. Nandrolone was shown to increase seizure rate when given in high (20mg twice weekly) intermittent doses. No statistically significant differences were observed with low (2mg) daily doses of nandrolone. The results support the hypothesis that an androgen may interact so as to modify the pattern of cocaine-related kindling. However, the potential of either pharmacodynamic and/or pharmacokinetic mechanism(s) for this interaction exists, and the nature of these interactions remains to be fully elucidated.

Anabolic Agents↗

Nandrolone decanoate reduces serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations in hemodialysis patients.

We have studied the changes in the lipid profile of 14 chronic hemodialysis patients receiving a 6-month cycle of nandrolone decanoate as treatment for anemia. Nandrolone decanoate was administered in a weekly intramuscular dose of 200 mg and resulted in an increase in the hemoglobin concentration (baseline, 7.9 +/- 0.9 g/dL; month 6, 10.8 +/- 1.7 g/dL; P < 0.001, ANOVA) and also produced relevant modifications in the lipid concentrations. The most significant finding was a decrease in the concentration of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]: baseline, 19.8 mg/dL (median), month 2, 10.6 mg/dL; month 4, 8.7 mg/dL; and month 6, 7.1 mg/dL (P < 0.001, Friedman). Other lipid changes induced by nandrolone decanoate were an increase in the concentrations of apolipoprotein B (P < 0.02, ANOVA) and triglyceride (P = NS, ANOVA) and a decrease of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P < 0.001, ANOVA) and apolipoprotein A-I (P = NS, ANOVA). The decrease in HDL cholesterol was at the expense of the HDL2 cholesterol subfraction, whereas HDL3 remained unchanged. These lipid modifications were reversible; 4 months after nandrolone decanoate withdrawal, the lipid concentrations were similar to the basal values. The changes in Lp(a) levels did not correlate with those of hemoglobin or the other lipid parameters, suggesting that the underlying mechanisms are unrelated. Our findings could be clinically relevant if confirmed by further studies.

Aged↗

A comparison of megestrol acetate, nandrolone decanoate and dietary counselling for HIV associated weight loss.

This randomized, prospective study compared three treatments, nandrolone decanoate (ND), megestrol acetate (MA) or dietary counselling, for managing human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) associated weight loss. It was centred on a Tertiary referral hospital, Sydney, Australia. Fifteen patients were randomized to receive ND (100 mg/fortnight), or MA (400 mg/day) or dietary counselling for 12 weeks. Those patients randomized to dietary counselling were further randomized to receive nandrolone or megestrol after completing the dietary counselling arm. Weight, fat free mass (FFM), percentage body fat mass (FM), dietary intake and appetite were assessed before commencing and at the completion of each treatment arm. Weight increased significantly in all treatment arms (dietary counselling 1.13 kg +/- 0.36, nandrolone 4.01 kg +/- 1.68, megestrol 10.20 kg +/- 4.51, p < 0.05 paired t-test). FFM increased significantly in patients receiving ND (3.54 +/- 1.98 kg, p=0.001) and those receiving MA (2.76 +/- 0.55 kg, p=0.002), whereas the change in those receiving dietary counselling alone was not significant. Percentage body fat mass increased significantly only in those receiving MA (7.77 +/- 4.85%, p=0.049). The change in weight and percentage body fat mass was significantly greater in those receiving MA than the other two treatment arms. The increase in FFM was significantly greater in both the nandrolone and megestrol arms than the dietary counselling arm. It was concluded that ND and MA both resulted in an increase in FFM greater than dietary counselling alone. Megestrol produced a significantly greater increase in weight, percentage fat mass, intake and appetite than did the other two treatment arms, suggesting it may be the preferred agent, particularly in a palliative care setting in which weight, appetite and intake increase are desirable without regard to the composition of the body. The long-term use of these agents in people with HIV should be reviewed in the context of improved survival on highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens.

Adult↗

Effects of nandrolone decanoate therapy in borderline hypogonadal men with HIV-associated weight loss.

Serum testosterone concentrations are frequently in the low-normal range (lowest quartile, <500 ng/dl) in men with AIDS-wasting syndrome (AWS) and in other chronic wasting disorders. The response of patients in this group to androgen treatment has not been determined, however. Eighteen men with AWS (mean +/- standard error [SE]: 87% +/- 1% usual body weight; CD4 count 90 +/- 24) and borderline low serum testosterone concentrations (382 +/- 33 ng/dl) completed a 21-day placebo-controlled inpatient metabolic ward study comparing intramuscular (i.m.) placebo (n = 7) with low-dose (65 mg/week; n = 4) and high-dose (200 mg/week; n = 7) nandrolone decanoate, a testosterone analogue. Nitrogen balance, stable isotope-mass spectrometric measurement of de novo lipogenesis (DNL), resting energy expenditure, and gonadal hormone levels were measured. Both low-dose and high-dose nandrolone resulted in significant nitrogen retention (33-52 g nitrogen/14 days, representing gains of 0.5 to 0.9 kg lean tissue/week) compared with placebo (loss of 11 g nitrogen/week). This was reflected biochemically in a borderline significant reduction of high DNL (p < .06). Serum testosterone and gonadotropins were suppressed whereas resting energy expenditure was unchanged by nandrolone treatment. In 10 study subjects completing a 12-week open-label follow-up phase, body weight increased by 4.9 +/- 1.2 kg, including 3.1 +/- 0.5 kg lean body mass, and treadmill exercise performance also improved. In summary, nandrolone decanoate therapy in the absence of an exercise program in borderline hypogonadal men with AWS caused substantial nitrogen retention compared with placebo, similar in extent to the nitrogen retention previously achieved with recombinant growth hormone. It is reasonable to expand the criteria for androgen treatment in AWS to include at least patients in the lowest quartile of serum testosterone.

Adult↗

High doses of nandrolone decanoate reduce volume of testis and length of seminiferous tubules in rats.

Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) compounds rank among the drugs most widely abused with the goal of improving athletic ability, appearance, or muscle mass. It has been shown that these compounds have adverse effects on human and animal physiology and sperm quality, but quantitative structural changes of the testis have received less attention. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of nandrolone decanoate, which is one of the AAS compounds, on testis weight and volume, diameter and length of seminiferous tubules in rats by unbiased stereological methods. Adult rats were divided into three groups. The first comprised control rats; the second and third groups received low and high doses of nandrolone decanoate for 14 weeks. The rats were then left untreated for 14 weeks. After removal of the testis, stereological study of these tissues showed that the mean volume of testis and length of the seminiferous tubules in the animals that received high doses of nandrolone decanoate were reduced approximately 32% (p<0.01) and approximately 31% (p<0.04), respectively, in comparison with the control group. It can be concluded that the high doses of nandrolone decanoate produce structural changes in the rat testis that remain 14 weeks after stopping injection of the drug.

Anabolic Agents↗

Nandrolone decanoate modulates cell cycle regulation in functionally overloaded rat soleus muscle.

Functionally overloading rat soleus muscle by synergist ablation induces a rapid increase in mass. Muscle remodeling during the first week of overload is critical for the overload-induced growth. Anabolic steroid modulation of this overload-induced remodeling response is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pretreatment with nandrolone decanoate, a clinically administered anabolic steroid, alters muscle morphology and gene expression related to muscle growth during the initiation of functional overload in the rat soleus muscle. Adult (5 mo) male Fisher 344 x Brown Norway rats were randomly assigned to control (Sham), 3-day functional overload (OV), nandrolone decanoate administration (ND), or 3-day functional overload with nandrolone decanoate administration (OV+ND) treatment groups. Morphologically, OV increased the percentage of small (361%) and large (150%) fibers and expanded the ECM 50%. ND administration decreased the 3-day OV induction of small fibers 51% and nuclei associated with the ECM 20%. ND administration also attenuated the induction of cell cycle regulator p21 (64%) and myogenin (37%) mRNAs after 3 days of overload. These data demonstrate that nandrolone decanoate pretreatment can alter morphological and cell cycle regulator expression related to muscle growth at the onset of functional overload.

Anabolic Agents↗

Effects of pharmacological doses of nandrolone decanoate and progressive resistance training in immunodeficient patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

This nonplacebo-controlled, open label, randomized study was conducted to test the hypotheses that pharmacological doses of nandrolone decanoate would increase lean body tissue, muscle mass, and strength in immunodeficient human immunodeficiency virus-infected men, and that these effects would be enhanced with progressive resistance training (PRT). Thirty human immunodeficiency virus-positive men with fewer than 400 CD4 lymphocytes/mm3 were randomly assigned to receive weekly injections of nandrolone alone or in combination with supervised PRT at 80% of the one-repetition maximum three times weekly for 12 weeks. Total body weight increased significantly in both groups (3.2 +/- 2.7 and 4.0 +/- 2.0 kg, respectively; P < 0.001), with increases due primarily to augmentation of lean tissue. Lean body mass determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry increased significantly more in the PRT group (3.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 5.2 +/- 5.7 kg, respectively; P = 0.03). Body cell mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis increased significantly (P < 0.001) in both groups (2.6 +/- 1.0 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.8 kg), but to a similar magnitude (P = NS). Significant increases in cross-sectional area by magnetic resonance imaging of total thigh muscles (1538 +/- 767 and 1480 +/- 532 mm2), quadriceps (705 +/- 365 and 717 +/- 288 mm2), and hamstrings (842 +/- 409 and 771 +/- 295 mm2) occurred with both treatment strategies (P < 0.001 for the three muscle areas); these increases were similar in both groups (P = NS). By the one-repetition method, strength increased in both upper and lower body exercises, with gains ranging from 10.3-31% in the nandrolone group and from 14.4-53.0% in the PRT group (P < 0.006 with one exception). Gains in strength were of significantly greater magnitude in the PRT group (P < or = 0.005 for all comparisons), even after correction for lean body mass. Thus, pharmacological doses of nandrolone decanoate yielded significant gains in total weight, lean body mass, body cell mass, muscle size, and strength. The increases in lean body mass and muscular strength were significantly augmented with PRT.

Adult↗

Effects of resistance exercise training and nandrolone decanoate on body composition and muscle function among patients who receive hemodialysis: A randomized, controlled trial.

Patients who are on hemodialysis commonly experience muscle wasting and weakness, which have a negative effect on physical functioning and quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine whether anabolic steroid administration and resistance exercise training induce anabolic effects among patients who receive maintenance hemodialysis. A randomized 2 x 2 factorial trial of anabolic steroid administration and resistance exercise training was conducted in 79 patients who were receiving maintenance hemodialysis at University of California, San Francisco-affiliated dialysis units. Interventions included double-blinded weekly nandrolone decanoate (100 mg for women; 200 mg for men) or placebo injections and lower extremity resistance exercise training for 12 wk during hemodialysis sessions three times per week using ankle weights. Primary outcomes included change in lean body mass (LBM) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area measured by magnetic resonance imaging, and knee extensor muscle strength. Secondary outcomes included changes in physical performance, self-reported physical functioning, and physical activity. Sixty-eight patients completed the study. Patients who received nandrolone decanoate increased their LBM by 3.1 +/- 2.2 kg (P < 0.0001). Exercise did not result in a significant increase in LBM. Quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area increased in patients who were assigned to exercise (P = 0.01) and to nandrolone (P < 0.0001) in an additive manner. Patients who exercised increased their strength in a training-specific fashion, and exercise was associated with an improvement in self-reported physical functioning (P = 0.04 compared with nonexercising groups). Nandrolone decanoate and resistance exercise produced anabolic effects among patients who were on hemodialysis. Further studies are needed to determine whether these interventions improve survival.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Long-term effect of nandrolone decanoate, 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 or intermittent calcium infusion therapy on bone mineral content, bone remodeling and fracture rate in symptomatic osteoporosis: a double-blind controlled study.

A double-blind controlled study was performed in 60 patients with symptomatic osteoporosis with at least one vertebral crush fracture, comparing the effect of nandrolone decanoate, 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and intermittent calcium infusions. Thirty-four out of 60 patients completed the 2 year observation period. Nandrolone decanoate statistically significantly increased the bone mineral content at the radius, reduced the endosteal bone loss at the metacarpals and statistically significantly reduced urinary calcium and hydroxyproline excretion. Calcium infusions and 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 inhibited further loss of bone mineral content, but endosteal bone loss continued. In the second year fracture rate was reduced in the nandrolone decanoate groups compared to the two other groups. We conclude that nandrolone decanoate is an active drug for increasing bone mineral content and reducing endosteal bone loss, while 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and calcium infusions only stop further bone mineral loss at the radius but do not inhibit endosteal bone loss as measured at the metacarpals and that single photon absorptiometry and radiography are complementary in interpreting cortical bone mineral changes.

Aged↗

Effects of recombinant human growth hormone and nandrolone phenylpropionate on the healing of ischemic colon anastomosis in rats.

PURPOSE: Recombinant human growth hormone and nandrolone phenylpropionate are two different anabolic agents. This study was designed to investigate the effects of these anabolic agents on the healing of ischemic colon anastomosis in rats. METHODS: Seventy adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 14). Group I was the sham laparotomy group. In the other groups, surgical procedures consisting of transsection and anastomosis were made at a distance 3 cm from the peritoneal reflection. Group II was the nonischemic control group. Ischemic colon model was produced in the remaining groups. Group III was the untreated control group. Groups IV and V received recombinant human growth hormone and nandrolone phenylpropionate, respectively. Bursting pressure and hydroxyproline levels were measured on the third and seventh postoperative days to evaluate anastomotic healing. RESULTS: Recombinant human growth hormone increased both collagen deposition and bursting pressure significantly at postoperative Days 3 and 7 compared with the sham and untreated control groups (P < 0.005). When compared with the untreated control, nandrolone phenylpropionate significantly increased collagen deposition at postoperative Days 3 and 7 (P < 0.005) and bursting pressure only at postoperative Day 3 (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant human growth hormone has more favorable therapeutic effects on the healing of ischemic colonic anastomoses than nandrolone phenylpropionate. Recombinant human growth hormone also improves healing of nonischemic colonic anastomosis.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Chronic treatment with the anabolic steroid, nandrolone, inhibits vasodilator responses in rabbit aorta.

The effect of chronic treatment of rabbits for 4, 8 and 12 weeks with the anabolic steroid, nandrolone, on vasodilator responses was studied in segments of different arteries. The treatment abolished endothelium-dependent relaxation caused by acetylcholine and the Ca(2+)-ionophore, A23187, in thoracic aorta, and reduced endothelium-independent relaxations induced by exogenous nitric oxide (NO) or sodium nitroprusside. The inhibitor of NO synthesis, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, abolished vasodilator responses to acetylcholine and A23187. In contrast, relaxation induced by acetylcholine, NO or sodium nitroprusside in mesenteric and femoral arteries was unaltered by nandrolone treatment. Bioassay experiments using donor segments and endothelium-denuded bioassay rings from thoracic aorta show that acetylcholine, applied either through control or treated (12 weeks) donor segments, produced similar relaxation in bioassay rings from control rabbits, but this relaxation was markedly reduced in rings from treated rabbits. The increases of cyclic GMP levels induced by acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside in segments from thoracic aorta were abolished by nandrolone treatment. These results suggest that the treatment with nandrolone reduces NO-mediated relaxation only in thoracic aorta by inhibition of guanylate cyclase, endothelial NO production and vasodilator machinery being unaltered.

Animals↗

Lack of demonstrated effect of nandrolone on serum lipids.

Numerous prior studies of serum lipid levels during anabolic steroid (AS) use have uniformly demonstrated dramatic adverse lipid profiles (eg, average high-density lipoprotein [HDL] depression of 50%) during administration of 17 alpha-alkylated AS. In contrast, the existing studies of 17 beta-esterified AS have shown mild or absent lipid effects (eg, HDL depression 0% to 16%) with these agents. Thus, the potential effects on serum lipids of individual AS are an important clinical consideration. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the lipid effects of nandrolone, a 17 beta-esterified AS. Twenty-one men and three women had lipid profiles measured before and after administration of nandrolone decanoate 100 mg intramuscularly (IM) once a week for 6 weeks. No significant change was noted in HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, triglycerides, the total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio, or the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio from nandrolone treatment. Moreover, observed trends toward HDL-C depression (-2.00 +/- 8.83 mg/dL; values reported are for men only unless noted otherwise) and LDL elevation (+5.05 +/- 20.45 mg/dL) were small. In power analysis, HDL-C depressions of 6.3, 7.6, or 8.7 mg/dL during nandrolone were ruled out with powers of 80%, 95%, and 99%, respectively.

Adult↗

The effects of cocaine and nandrolone co-administration on aggression in male rats.

1. Cocaine and anabolic-androgenic steroids are among the more commonly abused substances in selected populations. These agents, when used alone or in combination, have been reported to cause aggressive tendencies in both laboratory-based animal models and in human clinical situations. This project, using a resident-intruder paradigm, examined the effects of co-administration of cocaine and a typical anabolic-androgenic steroid, nandrolone decanoate, on the development of aggression in male Sprague-Dawley rats. 2. Dose response studies demonstrated that low dose cocaine (1 mg/kg) produced more aggression in a greater percentage of animals than for either the controls or groups receiving higher doses (up to 20 mg/kg). Initially, high intermittent doses of nandrolone (20 mg twice weekly) produced more aggression; however, low daily doses of nandrolone (2 mg) produced greater levels of aggression following 4 weeks of treatment. 3. Optimal doses of cocaine and nandrolone, when administered together, resulted in aggression scores that were not significantly different from controls or either drug singly. However, a greater percentage of animals receiving both drugs exhibited aggression than did rats receiving either drug alone. 4. These results support the interpretation that the drugs interact to produce unique effects in the development of aggression. However, the complexity and extent of the interactions is great and remains to be fully elucidated.

Aggression↗

Nandrolone treatment decreases the alpha1B-adrenoceptor mRNA level in rat kidney, but not the density of alpha1B-adrenoceptors in cultured MDCK-D1 kidney cells.

We have previously shown that treatment of rats with the anabolic androgen steroid nandrolone decreased the density of alpha1B-adrenoceptors in the rat kidney [Uhlén, S., Lindblom, J., Kindlundh, A., Muhisha, P., Nyberg, F., (2003). Nandrolone treatment decreases the level of rat kidney alpha1B-adrenoceptors. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 368, 91-98]. This effect may have been caused either by decreased de novo synthesis of alpha1B-adrenoceptors or by increased degradation of alpha1B-adrenoceptors [corrected] In the present study, we show that treatment of rats with nandrolone decreases the level of mRNA for the alpha1B-adrenoceptor in the kidneys, implying decreased synthesis of alpha1B-adrenoceptors. On the other hand, nandrolone did not decrease the density of alpha1B-adrenoceptors in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells, even though the sub-cell line tested, MDCK-D1, expresses both the androgen receptor and the alpha1B-adrenoceptor. It is concluded that the regulation of alpha1B-adrenoceptor expression by anabolic androgenic steroids is intricate and cell-type specific.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Altered extracellular levels of DOPAC and HVA in the rat nucleus accumbens shell in response to sub-chronic nandrolone administration and a subsequent amphetamine challenge.

Associated with acts of violence and polydrug use, abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is an increasing problem in society. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether sub-chronic treatment with the AAS nandrolone decanoate affects dopamine release and dopamine metabolism in the rat nucleus accumbens shell, before and after an amphetamine challenge. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received daily i.m. injections of nandrolone decanoate (15 mg/kg) or vehicle for 14 days. On day 15, the animals were anaesthetized and a microdialysis probe was implanted into the nucleus accumbens shell. Extracellular fluid was collected 1h before and 3h after a single amphetamine injection (5 mg/kg). The samples were then analyzed regarding the content of dopamine, and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), using HPLC with electrochemical detection. Two weeks of nandrolone decanoate administration caused a significant decrease of the basal DOPAC and HVA levels, which remained low during the first hour following the amphetamine challenge. Dopamine levels did not differ significantly between groups, neither after the nandrolone pre-treatment nor the amphetamine challenge. In conclusion, these novel findings indicate that AAS alter the metabolism of dopamine in a brain region involved in the development of drug dependence.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Anabolic steroid nandrolone augments hepatic regenerative response in rats.

The success of recovery after liver resection depends on the regeneration and functions of the remnant liver. In this study we investigated whether liver regeneration was facilitated by nandrolone decaonate after two-thirds partial hepatectomy in rats. Study animals were pretreated with nandrolone (5 mg/kg), while control animals received a placebo. Animal were sacrificed at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours. We compared the survival rates, liver function tests as well as the amount of apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine-biotin nick end labeling assay, and regeneration, which was expressed as ratio of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and restoration ratio. A significant increase in hepatocyte regeneration at 24 and 48 hours in partially hepatectomized rats treated with nandrolone decaonate was observed compared to controls. This observation was confirmed by the significant acceleration of the liver restoration rate, which was 1/5 faster than in partially hepatectomized controls. The results of this study indicate that liver regeneration in rats treated with nandrolone show a prompt, faster regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Anabolic Agents↗

Endogenous nandrolone metabolites in human urine: preliminary results to discriminate between endogenous and exogenous origin.

When administered to human subjects, nandrolone is metabolized into two main products, 19-norandrosterone (19-NA) and 19-noretiocholanolone (19-NE). Recent studies demonstrated the endogenous production of these compounds in man at concentrations very close to the threshold of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), i.e. 2 ng/ml. Because the possibility of reaching or exceeding this fateful limit is difficult to exclude, a complementary biochemical parameter is necessary for the differentiation of endogenous 19-NA and 19-NE production from residues resulting from nandrolone consumption. We measured the endogenous concentrations of 19-NA and 19-NE in 385 urine samples from professional football players, and we studied the phase II metabolite composition in individuals excreting the highest concentrations. The results showed that around 30% of endogenous 19-norandrosterone was sulfo-conjugated, whereas 100% of 19-norandrosterone was excreted conjugated to a glucuronic acid when nandrolone was administered. This significant qualitative difference appears to be a promising complementary criterion to more definitively conclude about an athlete's culpability, especially when nandrolone metabolites are found in the low ng/ml range.

Adult↗