The interaction effects of resistance training and sustanon abuse on liver antioxidant activities and serum enzymes in male rats

BACKGROUND: Anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic drugs derived from testosterone, the uncontrolled usage of which may lead to serious side effects. Previous studies have shown that resistance training (RT) is the main exercise modality practiced by AAS abusers. Thus, this work was carried out to evaluate the hepatotoxic effects of sustanon (Su) as an example of AAS in trained male rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into sedentary/non-Su, sedentary/Su, RT/non-Su, and RT/Su. Su-administration groups received Su 10 mg/kg intramuscularly once a week for 8 weeks. In the 8-week RT, the rats climbed a vertical ladder 3 days/week. RESULTS: After Su administration, the mean values of serum parameters related to hepatic function were within normal ranges. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities were higher (P < 0.05) in the liver of Su-treated rats. Chronic exercise alone did not change any of the above parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that the 8-week injection of Su, either with or without concurrent RT upregulation of enzymatic antioxidant activities and RT, did not attenuate the increase of enzymatic activities due to the Su administration. Furthermore, Su abuse in this dose did not make any severe liver damage.