ERYTHROPOIETIN (EPO), is an anabolic protein clinically prescribed to help anemic patients build up tissues such as red blood cells, thereby increasing their oxygen supply. EPO has now been usurped by athletes seeking increased stamina and performance in endurance contests such as cycling and long distance running. The pharmacologic rationale is apparent.
ALL STEROIDS HAVE the fused, clyclic molecular structure termed the steroid nucleus. And, they are all chemically related to the natural body steroid testosterone, the male sex hormone. Anabolic steroids such as nandrolone and oxymetholone are prescribed by physicians for patients who need to increase their appetite or their tissue-building processes generally. Weight lifters, football linemen and others are now using anabolic steroids in the anticipation of building body mass and gaining a competitive edge. Testosterone itself is used supposedly to enhance sports competitiveness. So also are many other synthetic anabolic steroids not found naturally occurring. A few of these are: clostebol, Equipoise, ethylstrenol, kabolin, methandriol, Diabinol, Anavar, Winstrol (stanozolol) and Finaject. (Trade names are in cap.)

PHARMACOLOGICALLY, all anabolic steroids used in sports are relatives of testosterone, and all therefore can have masculinizing effects on the human body. Manifestations of this can be: testicular atrophy, changes in prostate gland or seminal vesicles, male pattern baldness, increased cholesterol and fluid retention, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, heart attack, and acute masculinization in women (as seen in photos of East German women swimmers in the 1960s). There is some evidence that anabolic steroids can stunt growth in children. Generally, however, there is a dearth of pharmacologic information on long term use. One weight lifter admitted to taking 100 mg of oral and injectable anabolics every day. He could have used the "stacking" or "pyramiding" regimen in which progressively increasing doses of one or more products are taken 3-4 months before competition, reaching a dosage peak at mid-cycle and then tapering off.

USERS BEWARE. Oral anabolic steroids can be detected in body fluids for several weeks after last dose. After injection into muscle tissue, detection is possible months after last use. This is because drug release from muscle is slow compared to elimination from body fluids.

ANDROSTENEDIONE , like human growth hormone (hGH) and testosterone, is produced naturally in the body.In 1998 androstenedione was added to the International Olympic Committee's list of banned substances, but it is not a U.S. federally controlled substance, and is sold legally in nutrition stores (it is derived from Mexican yams). When this anabolic steroid precursor is ingested, it is quickly converted in the liver to terstosterone, providing a high but brief (less than a day) spurt of the latter. An Olympic gold medalist failed a urine test for androstenedione when an inspection team showed up unannouced at his home training base. A famous hone run hitter openly admits to frequent use of this drug.

THE LEGALITY and ethicality of using performance-enhancement drugs in sports competition are the subject of considerable debate. There is also reasonable doubt if the drugs are doing all that much, or if the concurrent physical exercise or placebo effect are to be credited. The sports-loving public generally agrees that winning a contest with the help of a drug is unfair, and that drug use in sports is to be condemned.