Damage and Morphometric Effects of Prohibited Substance Use as Doping on Tissues and Organs

Abstract

Uncontrolled acute or chronic use of very high doses by athletes to enhance athletic performance, improve muscle strength and physical appearance (Pope et al, 2017; Gök et al 2016) Erythropoietin, methenolone Enanthate (rhEPO), Testosterone propionate, Testosterone phenylpropionate, Testosterone isocaproate, Testosterone decanoate (Özdemir & Yalçın, 2011; Bozkurt et al., 2011a-b; Özdemir, 2020), which are among the most common AAS used for doping purposes, can cause irreparable serious organ damage (Al-Otaibi, 2024). Prohibited substances are also widely used as pharmacological drug therapy in patients with chronic diseases to improve the quality of life by achieving the appropriate effects on the body (Handelsman, 2006). Despite their use in clinical treatments, banned substances have also been found to have some negative effects on patients and the health of external users (Mutalip et al 2013). Testosterone is used in drug therapy for chronic respiratory or heart failure, anemia due to bone marrow failure, increasing or decreasing erythropoietin in renal failure, and for muscle and bone healing in autoimmune diseases. The abuse of these substances is often used illegally in large doses for non-medical purposes, especially in strength sports and bodybuilding. In parallel with effective findings that reduce the abuse of banned substances in elite sports, there is a need to focus more attention on non-sporting cosmetic, recreational, exertional and occupational abuse (Handelsman, 2006). Athletes use banned substances to improve performance regardless of health risks (El-Gendy, et al., 2021). In studies conducted in various countries, the lifetime prevalence of banned substances used for exertion, physical appearance and performance enhancement in young men is reported at rates ranging from 3-12% (Gök et al., 2016). The use of banned substances has continued to increase in recent years and there is a need for more research on this subject. In this study, it is aimed to inform the society and especially the sports community about the damage caused by banned substances used as doping on tissues and organs