Altered Serum Lipoprotein Profiles in Male and Female Power Lifters Ingesting Anabolic Steroids

In brief: Serum lipoprotein profiles were measured in nine male and three female power lifters who were taking anabolic steroids. Male steroid users had higher total serum cholesterol, lower HDL-C, and lower HDL-apoprotein A-I (apoA-I) levels than a weight-trained reference group that did not use steroids. Female steroid users showed similar trends. Mean serum HDL-C and HDL-C to total cholesterol ratio were lower in male steroid users than in a young male South African population at high risk for atherosclerosis. The ratio of HDL3-C to total HDL-C was higher in steroid users than in the reference group. Ratios of apoA-I to apoA-II were similar in the two groups. These unfavorable lipid profiles suggest that male and female steroid users may face an increased risk of coronary artery disease.