Effect of anabolizing steroids on the craniofacial development of rats

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate if the use of anabolizing steroids (AAS) could alter the development of the craniofacial skeleton of rats, as well as to comparatively analyze the activity of alkaline and acid phosphatases.

Methods: Sixteen female adult rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided in two groups (n=8/group). The experimental group received weekly two injections of deca durabolin 5 mg/Kg body weight) in the gastrocnemy muscle for sixty days, while control group received injections of fisiologic serum. After the experimental period the rats were killed. Serum was collected for the assay of phosphatases activity (colorimetric method) and cephalic skeleton was collected for craniometric assays. Data were tested for significant differences using t test (p<0.05).

Results: During the experimental period, animals from both groups consumed nearly the same amount of diet. The experimental group had significantly higher values for total skull length, face height, skull width and interzigomatic distance when compared to control (p<0.05). No significant differences were detected for the activity of total acid phosphatases between control (5.95±1.31 UI/L) and experimental (5.25±0.96 UI/L) groups. The same was observed for alkaline phosphatases (34.15±16.82 UI/L and 24.22±5.55 U.I./L for control and experimental groups, respectively).

Conclusions: The use of AAS caused significant changes in the development of the craniofacial skeleton of rats, both for skull and face, but the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases were not significantly altered.