Research Article Biomedical Research and Clinical Practice Biomed Res Clin Prac, 2019 doi: 10.15761/BRCP.1000185 Volume 4: 1-8 ISSN: 2397-9631 Biochemical efects of nandrolone decanoate abuse on experimental animal model Neveen A Salem 1,2 * and Hanan S Alnahdi 1 1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 2 Narcotics, Ergogenic Aids and Poisons Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt Abstract Rational: Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is one of the most commonly abused anabolic androgenic steroids compound in the world in order to improve physical performance but its abuse is associated with several adverse efects. Objectives: Te current study was performed to evaluate the efect of recommended and overdose of nandrolone decanoate for short and long term on the alterations of biochemical markers related to kidney, liver, adrenal, thyroid gland functions and the levels of oxidant and antioxidant activities. Methods: Sixty adult male albino rats were randomly assigned into two major groups. Te frst was treated with ND for 6 weeks and the second was treated with same drug for 12 weeks. Each of these groups were further subdivided into three subgroups: 1-Control (untreated rats), 2- Rats intraperitoneally injected with 3 mg/ kg. weekly, 3- Rats intraperitoneally injected with 15 mg/kg weekly. Results: Ingesting male rats with high ND dose for either short or long term signifcantly elevated kidney function biomarkers (serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and NAG), liver function biomarkers (serum AST, ALT, cytosolic AST,ALT and mitochondrial AST), slightly increased thyroid function (T3 ant T4) and insignifcantly attenuated TSH. It signifcantly increased adrenal function (corticosterone) while, decreased ACTH. Moreover, oxidative stress biomarkers (superoxide anion and lipid peroxides) were signifcantly upregulated associated with depression in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Conclusion: Te use of high ND dose for either short or long term as well as the repeated use of recommended ND dose for long term proved to have harmful efects manifested in impairing the functions of kidneys, liver, thyroid, adrenal glands as well as oxidant antioxidant balance. *Correspondence to: Neveen A. Salem, Narcotics, Ergogenic Aids and Poisons Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt, Tel: 202 (33335966); Fax: 202 (33370931); E-mail: dr_nsalem@yahoo.com Key words: nandrolone decanoate, kidney function, liver function, hormonal levels, oxidative stress Received: May 03, 2019; Accepted: May 17, 2019; Published: May 21, 2019 Introduction Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is one of the most commonly abused anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) compound in the world due to its androgenic potential associated with the favored anabolic properties [1]. Te use of ND has been applied for therapeutic purposes and has proven to be efective in reducing loss of body mass and muscle in human immune efciency virus (HIV) patients [2], increasing the number of satellite cells per muscle fber [3], and controlling refractory anemia [4]. It is also used in the treatment of hypogonadism, bone marrow failure syndromes, bone mineralization and some muscle wasting disorders [5]. Te recommended therapeutic dose of ND for human is 0.4 mg/ kg/day [6]. However, the use of ND has notably increased to improve physical performance and the doses up to 10 to 100-fold higher than the therapeutic dose are being used and this abuse resulted in several adverse efects [7]. Te chronic and unregulated use ND results in undesirable outcomes including oxidative stress [8], renal and hepatic injury [9], coronary problems [10] and psychological disorders [11]. Terefore, the current study was designed to assess the infuence of recommended and chronic overdose consumption of ND on the biochemical alterations in reno-hepatic functions, hormonal levels, oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in male rats. Materials and methods Adult male albino rats weighing 150 ± 10 g were used in the present study. Te animals were obtained from the animal house colony of National Research Centre. Te animals were maintained in wire bottomed cages at room temperature (25 ± 2ºC) with controlled lightening (12 h light and 12 h darkness cycle). All animal was accommodated with laboratory conditions for one week before treatment and maintained under the same conditions all over the experimental period. Rodents chow diet and clean water were allowed ad libitum. All animals received human care in compliance with the guidelines of the Ethical Committee of Medical Research of National Research Centre, Egypt. which conform to the recommendations of the National Institutes of Health Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Publication No. 85-23, revised1996).