~ 64 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2014; 3(10): 64-68 ISSN: 2277- 7695 TPI 2014; 3(10): 64-68 © 2013 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 04-11-2014 Accepted: 25-11-2014 Faizan Mirza Department of Physiology, University of Karachi. Sadaf Ahmed Department of Physiology, University of Karachi & Advanced Educational Institute and Research Centre Correspondence: Faizan Mirza Department of Physiology, University of Karachi. Effects of exercise on lipid parameters of normal male subjects, with and without using power enhancing drugs. Faizan Mirza and Sadaf Ahmed Abstract Exercising is largely believed to reduce the chances of cardiovascular disorders. Many people opt for fat- burning workouts to achieve a lean physique while others aim at getting a well-muscled body. The latter being a long and tiring process, pushes many people to opt for various power enhancing drugs, for boosting their athletic endurance and increasing the muscle bulk. We evaluated and compared the effects these drugs have had on, lipid parameters of male subjects. Peripheral blood samples were tested for levels of Total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins. The results showed that drugs exerted a profound effect on all lipid parameters, suggesting that users are prone to various cardiovascular risks. It is suggested that the widespread usage of such drugs should be discouraged among the youth. Keywords: Exercise, power enhancing drugs, steroids, lipid parameters, cholesterol, PED 1. Introduction Exercising is largely believed to reduce the chances of cardiovascular disorders. Many people opt for fat-burning workouts to achieve a lean physique while others aim at getting a well- muscled body. The latter being a long and tiring process, pushes many people to opt for power enhancing drugs, for boosting their athletic endurance. A regular and strenuous training in a gym results in a better-shaped body. To get noteworthy physical changes in least possible time, youngsters opt for Power Enhancing Drugs (PED) PED use help boosting performance in athletes and among non-athletes, improve appearance [1] Various synthetic compounds can be included in the list of PEDs. These include steroids, erythropoietin, creatine, protein and zinc supplements among others. Together with increasing the muscle bulk, they exert highly undesirable effects on normal physiology Regular aerobic exercise (brisk walk and jogging), decreases total cholesterol, LDL, Triglycerides, Apolipoprotein B, Cholesterol/HDL ratio while increasing HDL levels [2] . Total cholesterol levels are lower in persons with high aerobic fitness, whereas these are higher in individuals of low aerobic fitness. It is yet to be demonstrated conclusively that exercise training lowers total cholesterol. 1.1 Steroids: The synthetic derivatives of testosterone, known as anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), are misused in supraphysiological doses by athletes and adolescents [3] . Androgen antagonists block exercise induced muscle hypertrophy [4] supports a physiological role for androgen receptors in exercise-induced muscle hypertrophy. Whether anabolic steroids bind to androgen receptors on skeletal muscles or some other receptors, it is still under investigation [5] . whose quantity differs from muscle bed to muscle bed. In human, their expression higher in the muscles of the neck and chest girdle, in comparison to the limbs [6] . Creatine is commonly used by amateur athletes, and its regular usage does not appear to exert negative influence on kidney excretion or liver enzymes [7] Skeletal muscles are the main sites where Almost all the Cr in the body is located, either the free (Cr: approximately 40%) or phosphorylated (PCr: approximately 60%) form, this represents an average Cr pool of about 120-140 g for an average 70 kg person [8] . Creatine increases an athlete’s ability to rather than increasing strength; [9] . EPO. Average hematocrit for males is 46%. EPO is abused by the administration of Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), its effects last several days after its last intake. Theoretically, more RBC means more efficient oxygen delivery to tissues. Thus, endurance athletes who put some extra strain in exercise use EPO. Protein supplements Arginine, histidine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, and phenylalanine may