Anabolic agents
The group of anabolic agents consists of substances that are predominantly misused by athletes during the training phase. The anabolic effects of these substances stimulate, among other things, muscle growth and thus lead to improved athletic performance in strength and power sports.
The WADA Prohibited List divides the group of anabolic agents into:
1. Anabolic-androgenic steroid hormones (AAS)
2. Other anabolic substances
1. Anabolic-androgenic steroid hormones
See also examples from the WADA list
Anabolic-androgenic steroid hormones (also known as anabolics) were first banned in 1974 and have since been the most commonly used class of doping substances.
However, this initial ban only covered synthetic AAS (exogenous AAS), while endogenous AAS such as testosterone were not yet banned at that time. Among the most commonly abused synthetic anabolic steroids are:
nandrolone, methandienone, stanozolol, and metenolone
In 1984, the use of the body’s own steroid hormone testosterone was also banned after Manfred Donike developed a detection method to differentiate between endogenous and exogenous testosterone.
See also Testosterone:
Effects
Synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroids are testosterone analogs and differ from testosterone in structure only by changes in chemical functions on the steroid backbone.
The main effects of testosterone can be summarized as anabolic and androgenic effects. Since only the anabolic (building) effects are of interest for therapy following injuries or accidents, while the androgenic effects occur as undesirable side effects, attempts were already made in the 1930s to produce synthetic testosterone analogs that are predominantly anabolic and only slightly androgenic.From 1950 to 1970, hundreds of substances were synthesized and tested in animal studies (Synthesis). Only a few prevailed and remained on the market.
Of the anabolic active components, the stimulation of protein synthesis in muscle cells is the most important effect for athletes. The efficacy of anabolic-androgenic steroids in competitive athletes was the subject of some controversy among scientists in the 1960s and 1970s. There was a prevailing view that, in adult men, as long as they did not have a testosterone deficiency, additional administration of anabolic steroid hormones would have no effect.
However, individual studies showed clear performance-enhancing effects in men. What is certain is that anabolic steroids were extensively abused during this period in international sports, both by men and women in track and field and weightlifting. The effects of anabolic steroids on women, on the other hand, were undisputed. This is well documented by the performances of former East German female athletes.
Anabolic Steroid Abuse in Recreational Sports
Study by Carsten Boos Kujath, Peter; Boos, Carsten; Wulff, Peter; Bruch, Hans-Peter: Drug Abuse Among Recreational Athletes in the Fitness Sector. Deutsches Ärzteblatt 95, Issue 16, April 17, 1998.
Striegel H, Simon P, Frisch S, Roecker K, Dietz K, Dickhuth HH, Ulrich R.: Anabolic ergogenic substance users in fitness sports: a distinct group supported by the healthcare system. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2006 Jan 4;81(1):11-9
Detection
The detection of anabolic steroids is performed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (see also Analytics/Anabolic Steroids).
In addition, results from carbon isotope analysis (IRMS) are used to detect the use of endogenous steroid hormones.
2. Other anabolic agents
Other anabolic agents specifically listed include the two β2-agonists clenbuterol and zilpaterol, as well as the substances tibolone and zeranol. Since 2008, the group of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) has also been banned.