Increased concentration of 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol in HDL from young anabolic androgenic steroid users

Abstract Background:Oxysterols are cholesterol oxidative derivatives that play an important role in cell cholesterol homeostasis. However, HDL particles enriched with oxysterols, especially the 7-ketocholesterol, have lower ability to mediate cell cholesterol removal by the reverse cholesterol transport. Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) misuse is associated with diminished cholesterol efflux and increased atherogenesis in young men. Unknown is whether the concentration of oxysterols is altered in AAS users. Methods: In this subanalysis, we evaluated six AAS users (AASU) and 6 AAS nonusers (AASNU) involved in strength training, and 6 sedentary men (SC). Oxysterols were evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in HDL particles isolated by ultra centrifugation. Results: AASU presented higher levels of 7-ketocholesterol (104.1 ± 64.0 vs.43.7 ± 8.3 and 43.2 ± 9.1 ng/mg C; p < 0.05) and 7β-hydroxycholesterol (15.5 ± 5.6 vs. 10.1 ± 2.0 and 8.1 ± 1.0 ng/mg C; p < 0.05) in HDL compared to AASNU and SC, respectively. 7α-hydroxycholesterol (10.7 ± 4.2 vs. 8.0 ± 1.5 and 6.8 ± 2.2 ng/mg C; p = 0.089) and 27 hydroxycholesterol (25.6 ± 7.2 vs. 28.0 ± 7.0 and 21.8 ± 3.2 ng/mg C; p = 0.235) were similar among groups. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that AAS abuse increases 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol in HDL that may be related to HDL impaired function and increased atherosclerotic coronary disease in young AAS users. The clinical implication of this finding should be considered in future, larger, long-term studies.Trial registration:This is a cross-sectional pilot observational study from a retrospectively registered study NCT03450837.