Vnitr Lek 2020, 66(1):28-33 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2020.005

Hepatotoxicity induced by bodybuilding supplements

Martina Jakabovičová, Zuzana Ďurkovičová, Tereza Hlavatá, Mária Szántová

III. interná klinika LF UK a UN, Nemocnica akademika Ladislava Dérera, Bratislava

Bodybuilding supplements are known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), as well as dietary supplements with their addition. Without medical indications, they are illegal but easily accessible and harmful, capable of causing various forms of liver damage from the transient increase in serum enzymes through acute cholestatic syndrome to the development of hepatic tumours in long-term use. The strongest hepatotoxic effects are associated with alkylated forms, although tumours have also been associated with unmodified or esterified testosterone. Since the 1980s, they have been widespread not only in top-level sport but also in the general population to improve athletic performance and body shaping. According to epidemiological studies, there has been an increase in their use in recent years. The paper provides an overview of the most common clinical forms of hepatotoxicity resulting from using AAS.

Keywords: anabolic‑androgenic steroids, herbal and dietary supplements (HDS), hepatocellular carcinoma, prolonged jandice, testosterone.

Published: February 21, 2020  Show citation