Novel kidney injury biomarkers among anabolic androgenic steroids users - evidence of subclinical kidney disease

Abstract

Background: Kidney injury associated with the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has been described. The aim of the study was to investigate new kidney injury biomarkers among bodybuilders using anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a group of AAS users (n = 28) and a group of non-users (n = 29). Blood and urine samples were collected for analysis, including kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), creatinine and cystatin. Results: Laboratory tests evidenced a higher creatinine level in AAS users (1.04 0.17 mg/dL) in comparison to non-users (0.88 0.14 mg/dL), P < 0.001. Median levels of MCP-1 pg/mg-creatinine were higher in AAS users (50.66 pg/mg-creatinine, range 31.99 - 255.25 pg/mg-creatinine vs. 33.26 pg/mg-creatinine, range 22.82 - 102.98 pg/mg-creatinine, P = 0.039). KIM-1 levels were not significantly different between the two groups (0.47 0.34 ng/mg-creatinine vs. 0.69 0.47 ng/mg-creatinine, P = 0.065). Cystatin C levels showed a tendency to be higher in AAS users (0.64 0.46 mg/L vs. 0.43 0.36 mg/L, P = 0.059). Conclusions: There is subclinical kidney injury among AAS users, evidenced by MCP-1 increase. Continuous renal function monitoring and early detection of kidney injury is very important for AAS users, and more important is patient counseling to avoid these substances use, unless otherwise prescribed for treatment of some medical condition.