Prohormone: Superlipophilicity

They’re among the world’s most controversial drugs. Not Heroin, Ganja, Coke or Crystal Meth, but Anabolic Steroids. Steroids are medical treatments that come in two varieties: Anabolic Steroids and Corticosteroids. These are both synthetic versions of hormones produced naturally in the body but they perform two completely different tasks. Corticosteroids are used by doctors to decrease inflammation. Anabolic Steroids are the familiar term for the synthetic version of the male sex hormone testosterone. Its technical name although, is Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS). “Anabolic referring to muscle-building and Androgenic referred to increased male sexual characteristics,” defined by the National

Injectable steroids are safe to use in accordance with their recommended dosage. Steroids, no matter the type, can be very dangerous when abused.

The definition of steroids is, "man-made derivatives of testosterone, the male hormone. They synthesize protein and help promote muscle growth" (Iole 1). Types of steroids include anabolic and growth hormones. The definition of an anabolic steroid is, "Any drug or harmful substance, chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone (other than estrogen, progestins, and corticostoroids) that promotes muscle growth, any drug or hormonal substance that stimulates the endogenous production of steroids in the human body which acts in the same manner" (Collins 1). Types of anabolic steroids include oral and intramuscular injection. Steroids taken orally have a half-life of several hours, while injected steroids have a half-life of several days (Collins 1). Steroids taken orally usually come on the form of a pill. It takes these water-soluble pills three to four weeks to clear the body. The oil-based injections take six to eight months to leave the body (Cochran 2). After steroids are taken, the steroid molecule bonds to cell receptor sites. Now the steroid molecule can increase protein synthesis, increase nitrogen retention, make metabolic changes, and increase size and strength of skeletal muscle cells. These all lead to bigger and stronger muscles (Collins 1). Some names of popular steroids include Nelvar, Deca-Durabolin, Anavar, Winstrol, Stanozolol, Dianabol, and Anadrol-50 (Nuwer 17).

Sub-point A: According to an article on the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a website filled with information on drugs, last updated on March 2016, anabolic steroids are synthetic (lab made) variations of the male sex hormone testosterone. The proper term for these compounds is anabolic-androgenic steroids. "Anabolic" refers to muscle building, and "androgenic" refers to increased male sex characteristics. Some common names used for anabolic steroids are Gear, Juice, Roids, and Stackers.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic substances which increase skeletal muscle growth and increase male hormone production. Steroids are legal only through prescription. They are often prescribed for ailments

     Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic substances which increase skeletal muscle growth and increase male hormone production. Steroids are legal only through prescription. They are often prescribed

Steroids are laboratory-made versions of the human hormone testosterone, which aids growth of muscles, bones and skin. Testosterone is primarily a male hormone, though females produce trace amounts. Doctors, for medical uses, may legally prescribe steroids. Steroids for muscle building are obtained illegally; they are produced overseas or in clandestine laboratories in the U.S. For all the health risks, research shows steroids do work when it comes to building muscle and power.

Anabolic steroids are subsidiaries of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone, they help the body hold dietary protein and in turn it builds muscle and strength. Steroids can be

In 1935, testosterone was first discovered and isolated from bulls’ testis (Schänzer, 1996) and by 1939 exogenous testosterone was said to be used to aid performance (Wu and Kovac, 2016). It wasn’t official until the 1950’s when the first reports came out of anabolic steroid use, especially among the German rowing team in 1952 and the Russian weightlifting team in 1954 (Wu and Kovac, 2016). Governing bodies such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) then undertook a fight against doping (use of performance enhancers) banning the use most anabolic steroids in 1974 (Schänzer, 1996).

When taking steroids there can be different types like Anadrol, Oxandrin, Dianabol, Winstrol, Decca-Durabolin, and Equipoise. These different types can and are used today Illegal/Legal.

Sterols, are also known as steroid alcohols, are a class of chemicals that play multiple important roles in the body. They can dissolve in fat like molecules and can dissolve in water. The most widely known human sterol is cholesterol. (Timberlake, 2008).

Overall steroids are illegal, and dangerous, but they are still used by many people. Steroids go straight to the bloodstream, quicker if they are injected. When taken orally they first go through the liver. Basically steroids work like this: "A steroid enters the bloodstream and is carried into the muscle cell by diffusion then it binds to a receptor site. (These are certain areas in a cell that are receptive to free-floating molecules in the blood). The connection formed lets the steroid send a message to the receptor site to have some sort of a metabolic change in the cell. This is primarily increased protein synthesis and nitrogen retention" (Taylor 143-145). This leads to increased size and strength in the muscle cell.

In male patients, testosterone also helps the male reproductive organs. Mistaken as only a male hormone, testosterone is also found in females. Although for females it is in lower dosages or smaller amounts. The average adult male in one day can produce a total amount anywhere from 2.5-11 milligrams of testosterone. An average steroids abuser injects themselves with 100 or more milligrams of testosterone a day (Anabolic Steroids). Originally, steroids were developed to increase strength of German soldiers in the 1930’s during World War II (Anabolic Steroids). Modern medicine restricts the use of anabolic steroids with only a couple exceptions such as bone marrow stimulations, growth stimulations, stimulations of appetite, and perseveration of muscle mass. Anabolic steroids also are used to help treat breast cancer and angioedema which side effects can result in swelling of the face, arms, legs, throat, windpipe, bowels, or sexual organs(Anabolic Steroids). There are many different types of steroids some of the most common legal types in the United States including boldenone (Equipoise), ehtlestrenol (Maxibolin), fluoxymesterone (Halotestin), methandriol, methandrostenolone (Diannabol), methyltestosterone, nandrolone, (Dyrabolin DecaDurabolin), oxandrolone (Anavar), oxymetholone (Anadrol), stanozolol (Winstrol), testosterone including sustanon, and trenbolone (Finajet). This is not including the many illegal imitation anabolic

However, steroids should remain illegal because they physically deteriorate the whole body system. When injected one risks the chances of developing hematoma and contracting AIDS. In women steroids contribute to the growth of facial hair, enlargements of the clitoris, shrinkage of the uterus, sterility, deepening of the voice, decrease in breast size and irregularity of the menstrual cycle. In men steroids cause shrinkage of the testicles, decrease in sperm count, sterility, impotence, prostate enlargement and growth of female breast. In both men and women hair loss, liver ailments, acne, atherosierosis and cancer are very common. This dangerous drug shortens the life span up to twenty years and increases the chance of obtaining diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. The side effects and reactions from enduring anabolic steroids are endless.

“Some athletes take a form of steroids — known as anabolic-androgen steroids or just anabolic steroids — to increase their muscle mass and strength. The main anabolic steroid hormone produced by your body is testosterone. Testosterone has many risks some of them are Anabolic effects promote muscle building. Androgenic effects male traits, such as facial hair and a deeper voice. Men get some major risks from taking this type of drug like some are prominent breasts Baldness, Shrunken testicles, Infertility, and Impotence.”(Mayo Clinic)