This prospective non blind study in nine male experienced androgenic-anabolic steroid (AAS) users shows that AAS use is significantly associated with enhanced fibrinolytic activity compared with confirmed non using male bodybuilders as controls. Venous occlusion does not seem to have additional value in documenting this enhanced activity. It remains to be established whether this enhanced fibrinolytic activity is secondary to enhanced thrombin generation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of eight weeks self-administration of high doses androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) in a stacking way on fibrinolytic activity in non elite male bodybuilders. A prospective, non blinded study design was chosen. The AAS group (AAS-G, n=7) consisted of experienced AAS users who were drug free for more than 3 months at start of the study. Non using bodybuilders served as controls (CO-G, n=7). Both groups were comparable with respect to age (32.3±6.8 vs.32.1±2.9, AAS-G resp. CO-G), height (179±4 vs. 174±6 cm), weight (82.8±8.7 vs. 85.2±8.4 kg), strength training experience (8.5±2.4 and 8.4±3.8 years) and weekly training hours(9.1±3.2 resp. 8.9±3.0). At start and after eight weeks training with (AAS-G) or without (CO-G) AAS use in all subjects blood samples before and after 10 minutes venuous occlusion (VO) were taken using a Biopool Stabilyte blood collection device. In each sample euglobulin clot lysis time(ECLT) was determined. Data are presented as mean ± s.d. ANOVA for repeated measures and paired t-tests for intra-group changes were used for statistical analysis. Level of significance was set at P<0.05. At start ECLT of both groups was comparable (101.3±15.4 and 106.8±17.4 minutes, AAS-G resp. CO-G). After eight weeks AAS use, ECLT before VO in the AAS-G was significantly decreased (101.3±15.4 to 80.2±25.0 min., P<0.02), whereas ECLT after VO remained unchanged. In CO-G no significant changes were observed after eight weeks. In conclusion, eight weeks self administration of high doses AAS in a stacking way enhances fibrinolytic activity as measured by euglobulin clot lysis time in non elite bodybuilders.