Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are compounds formed from
testosterone or one of its derivatives, which are largely used by amateur e professional athletes to improve the athletic performance. However, the scientific information about the relation between the use of AAS and muscle
hypertrophy is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of
testosterone and physical training on muscle
hypertrophy. Male Wistar rats received i.m.
injections of Deca-
Durabolin or vehicle during 6 weeks. Trained rats were submitted to a resistance physical training, by jumping up and down in water carrying an overload. Sedentary and trained animals were anesthetized and sacrificed. Soleus muscle was removed for the quantification of total
protein and
DNA concentration. In the end of the treatment,
body weight of trained animals treated with vehicle or AAS was lower than the
body weight of respective sedentary. Total
protein concentration and the ratio muscle
weight/body weight of all experimental groups were not altered. Trained group treated with AAS presented lower
DNA concentration than trained group treated with vehicle. The administration of
nandrolone decanoate did not promote
hypertrophy on soleus muscle, not even when the use of AAS was associated to resistance physical training.