IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND MORPHOPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE LIVER AND KIDNEYS OF RATS SUBMITTED TO CREATINE AND NANDROLONE SUPPLEMENTATION ASSOCIATED OR NOT WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Anabolic steroids, food supplementation; toxicity; swimming, rats; oxidative stress.
The indiscriminate use of anabolic androgenic steroids such as nandrolone decanoate has become a worldwide problem. Its effects caught the attention of non-athlete users looking to improve performance. Allied to this, the search for food supplementation, such as creatine that can promote greater performance, lean mass gain and strength has also been used. However, the supraphysiological use of these substances can cause toxic effects to human health. Thus, the present research aimed to analyze the effects of this association combined with physical activity on the levels of lipid peroxidation, inflammatory cytokines, cell proliferation, biochemistry and the histomorphometry of the liver and kidneys in Wistar rats. Fifty rats were used, which were divided into the following groups: I Rats without treatment and training (RC), II Rats without treatment and trained (RT), III Rats trained + nandrolone (RTN), IV Rats trained + nandrolone + creatine (RTNCreat), V Trained rats + creatine (RTCret). Nandrolone was administered via i.m. injections, 5 days/week/30 days, at a concentration of 5 mg/kg. Monohydrate creatine was administered by gavage (0.5g/kg). The trained rats were submitted to the swimming protocol. Histopathological analysis of the liver of rats in the RTN, RTNCreat and RTCreat groups revealed central lobular vein congestion, hepatocellular ballooning, increased lobular parenchyma and reduced non-lobular parenchyma. In the kidneys, proliferative glomerulonephritis was observed. In the kidneys, there was also an increase in glomerular diameter and volume, and in the diameter and volume of Bowman's capsule. There was an increase in the organosomatic index both in the liver and in the kidneys, in the rats that received nandrolone and/or creatine, being more expressive in the treatment with creatine in the liver, but without differing from its association with nandrolone. The levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in the liver and kidneys were quite high in the rats of the RTN, RTNCret and RTCreat groups, being more effective in the nandrolone/creatine association. On the other hand, GSH showed a significant reduction in these groups, which was also more evident with the nandrolone/creatine association. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNFα and cell proliferation in the liver and kidneys of the RTN and RTNCret groups were high. VEGF-A revealed increased levels in the liver of the RTN and RTNCret groups. Transaminases and alkaline phosphatase showed higher values in the liver of the RTN, RTCret and RTNCret groups. Creatinine was increased in the RTCret and RTNCret groups, and urea in the RTN, RTCreat and RTNCreat groups. Thus, it is concluded that the supraphysiological use of nandrolone and creatine causes liver and 8 kidney toxicity regardless of whether or not it is associated with physical activity, which should serve as a warning to users