Anabolic research Update

Welcome to Anabolic Research Update. Here you will find intelligent and
useful discussion of the latest research on muscle growth and fat loss. We
take for our topic research on any method of increasing muscle mass and/or
losing body fat. Scientific investigation into areas relevant to
bodybuilding has grown in leaps and bounds over the last 10 years. This
research has provided a wealth of knowledge never before available to
bodybuilders. And after all, knowledge is power, power to break new ground
and achieve goals.

What kind of gains can you expect from low dose Deca?

Title: Body composition and anthropometry in bodybuilders: regional changes
due to
nandrolone decanoate administration.

Researchers: Hartgens F, Van Marken Lichtenbelt WD, Ebbing S, Vollaard N,
Rietjens G, Kuipers H.

Source: International Journal of Sports Medicine  2001 Apr;22(3):235-41

Summary:
In a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled design 16 subjects
received weekly intramuscular injections containing 200 mg nandrolone
decanoate (ND) or placebo. Composition of total body and body parts were
assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), skinfolds and
circumferences. Measurements were performed at baseline, after 8 weeks ND
administration period and 6 weeks after drug withdrawal. DEXA revealed that
total body mass increased about 7 pounds and bone-free lean mass increased
by the same amount. Six weeks after drug cessation bone-free lean mass was
still increased compared to baseline levels. During ND administration
significant increments of bone-free lean mass of the trunk (+ 2.03 kg) and
legs (+ 1.08 kg) could be observed. Percentage fat of the legs decreased
during the drug intervention period (-1.9%) and remained lowered six weeks
after drug withdrawal. No alteration in any variable of the arms was
observed. Skinfolds did not change during the entire study period in both
groups. After 8 weeks ND administration circumference of the neck was
increased (+0.9 cm) significantly although all circumferences underwent
non-significant gains. In conclusion, the intramuscular administration of
nandrolone decanoate (200 mg per week) during eight weeks induced an
increase of body weight and bone-free lean body mass in bodybuilders that
was mainly situated in the trunk and legs as determined by DEXA. The changes
in the trunk were reflected in the circumferences but not the alterations in
the legs. Skinfolds were not able to detect changes of fat mass of body
parts. DEXA revealed that total fat mass and total percentage fat remained
unaffected by drug administration while percentage fat of the legs decreased
and remained lowered after drug cessation.

Discussion:
This study looked at the effects of low dose (200 mgs per week) nandrolone
decanoate. Deca DurabolinÒ or simply "Deca" was provided by Novartis, and is
one of the most popular steroids of all time.

There are several reasons for the popularity of Deca. One of the biggest
reasons is that Deca is actually more "anabolic" in muscle tissue but less
androgenic in the scalp and prostate than the testosterones. Two things are
responsible for this; one Deca binds more strongly to the androgen receptor
than testosterone, and two, 5a-reductase, the enzyme responsible for
converting testosterone to the more androgenic DHT, actually converts Deca
into a less androgenic compound. This greatly reduces Deca's androgenic side
effects.

Although Deca is more anabolic in muscle tissue it is less effective at
putting on overall size and bodyweight than testosterone milligram per
milligram. Deca doesn't cause retention of so much fluid and minerals in
muscle tissue as testosterone does. However, much of this weight seen with
other "class II" androgens drops quickly after removal of the drug. Deca's
gains tend to stick around a little longer because they are mainly protein
in nature and not water.

Although Deca has far less side effects than testosterone it is just as
inhibitory on testosterone production. Very small amounts will shut down
natural testosterone production. Which brings us to the present study. Only
using 200 milligrams per week is enough to shut down natural testosterone
production without providing enough androgen to give significant gains in
muscle mass. So it is no surprise that they observed very small increases in
muscle mass. These small increases were only seen in the legs and trunk,
nothing in the arms at all. An effective dose of Deca is more like 400
milligrams per week and upwards.

On a positive note, one interesting finding of this study was the reduction
in fat on the legs. It could be that Deca might be useful for increasing
cuts in the legs. Then again, if you are competing you are probably using
higher doses of other androgens that may be just as effective at their
respective dosages.

Bottom line, 200 milligrams per week of Deca won't do squat for you, accept
maybe cause a reduction in lower body fat.

What happens when I come off the gear?

Title: Body composition, cardiovascular risk factors and liver function in
long-term
androgenic-anabolic steroids using bodybuilders three months after drug
withdrawal.

Researchers: Hartgens F, Kuipers H, Wijnen JA, Keizer HA.

Source: Internationl Journal of Sports Medicine  1996 Aug;17(6):429-33

Summary:
The purpose of this study was to investigate body composition, muscle fiber
characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors and liver enzymes in long-term
androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) using bodybuilders three months after
drug withdrawal and in non-users (CO). Training and dietary data were
collected on all subjects. Anthropometry included weight, height, 8
skinfolds and 11 circumferences. Percentage fat (%FAT), fat mass (FM) and
lean body mass (LBM) were calculated. In a muscle biopsy from the vastus
lateralis muscle water content, fiber type distribution and diameters of
fiber type I and type II were determined. Age, height, training
characteristics, nutrition, skinfolds, %FAT and FM did not differ between
the groups. However, the AAS group had greater BW and LBM, and larger
circumferences of thorax, waist, upper arm and thigh than the CO group.
Muscle biopsy data were comparable, except for muscle fiber diameter of type
I which was larger in the AAS group. No differences in serum values of total
cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, nor in systolic and
diastolic blood pressure were observed. In both groups serum alkaline
phosphatase and gamma GT were within the normal range. This study suggests
that in long term AAS using body-builders, after a three months AAS free
period, BW is greater than in non drug users. This is reflected in larger
LBM, circumferences and diameter of muscle fiber type I. In addition, no
differences in fat mass, blood pressure, lipoprotein profiles and liver
enzymes exist between AAS users three months after interrupted drug use and
their non-drug using counterparts.

Discussion:
A few interesting points came out of this study. First and foremost was the
fact that 3 months after cessation of steroid use, all serum indicators were
completely normal, including liver values, cholesterol, blood pressure, and
triglycerides. This bodes well for the safety of anabolics.

Another interesting fact was that the 16 guys in the steroid group used a
total of over 25 different drugs. Everything from Anadur to Zenalosyn was
used. The most commonly used drugs among this group were Primobolan,
Test-Enanthate, Deca, Clomid and hCG. On average, each guy used 5 drugs per
cycle.

The researchers also took the time to analyze the drugs used by each subject
in the steroid using group. They found a lot of fakes (junk) and a lot of
counterfeits (good but not name brand). Contents of a lot of ampules were
diluted up to tenfold. They also found several contaminated ampules due to
non-sterile manufacturing practices. This poses a serious risk to users.

This study demonstrates once again that most side effects of steroid use are
temporary, and things return to normal once steroid use is discontinued.
And, as a warning, this study also documents the dangers of using black
market drugs. The study as a whole offers us both a sense of relief and
precaution concerning the safety of anabolic steroids.