The effect of anabolic steroids on the biomechanical and histological properties of rat tendon.

TLDR

Twenty‑four male rats were allocated to four groups varying in anabolic steroid use and exercise, and their tendons were examined by biomechanical testing and histological analysis. Anabolic steroids increased tendon stiffness and reduced elongation at failure, significantly altering energy at failure, toe‑limit and initial elongation, while force at failure remained unchanged; light microscopy showed no structural changes, but electron microscopy revealed altered collagen fibril sizes.

Abstract

Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups, with anabolic steroids and exercise as variables. Biomechanical tests and histological evaluations were performed. The results of the biomechanical tests suggested that anabolic steroids produce a stiffer tendon, which fails with less elongation. The energy at the time when the tendon failed, the toe-limit elongation, and the elongation at the time of the first failure were all affected significantly. Changes in the force at failure were not statistically significant. No alterations of structure were noted when the specimens were viewed with light microscopy. Alterations of the sizes of the collagen fibrils were noted on electron microscopy.