Understanding alterations on blood and biochemical parameters in athletes that use dietary supplements, steroids and illicit drugs

Abstract

In recent years it was verified there are an alarming growing number of teenagers and young adults using a combination of dietary supplements (DS) anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and drugs of abuse. This practice is used to improve physical fitness and appearance, may cause serious side effects. This article shows the alterations in the hematological and renal function parameters associate with these substances in 40 athletes. This research involved three steps: 1—the administration of a self-completion questionnaire ; 2—the assessment of hematological and biochemical parameters of renal function and; 3—toxicological urinalysis. Hematological and biochemical tests were conducted in an accredited laboratory and the toxicological urinalysis was validated in our laboratory using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The testosterone levels in the participants who consumed steroids increased 20–60% and alterations in serum creatinine, urea and uric reached values of up to 1.9; 60.6 and 7.5 mg/dL, respectively. The toxicological urinalysis supports self-reports confirming the use of AAS and recreational drugs, putting at risk the health of those athletes increasing the chances of kidney diseases.