Effect of an anabolic steroid (Deca-Durabolin) and vitamin C on two Hind Limb Muscles of young Male Albino Rats.

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of an anabolic steroid compound (Deca-Durabolin) used by athletes to increase muscle mass alone or accompanied with vitamin C on two hind limb muscles (soleus and tibialis anterior) of young male albino rats. Rats were treated with Deca-Durabolin intramuscularly once a week with the therapeutic dose or an over dose (0.45 or 45 mg/ kg b.wt) alone or in combination with the therapeutic dose of vitamin C (9 mg/ kg b.wt/ day by gavage) for six weeks. The results indicated that Deca-Durabolin administration alone or in combination with vitamin C increased the absolute muscle weight and significantly increased the muscle fiber number, diameter, cross sectional area and the number of nuclei per fiber. However, the muscle to body weight ratio and the myonuclear domains were not affected significantly in all treated groups when compared to the control. The results also showed that total protein, DNA and glycogen content were increased in both muscles. Histological examination of the stained sections from Deca-Durabolin treated rats revealed the presence of areas of inflammation and necrosis in myofibers of both muscles. Co-administration of vitamin C relatively counteracts these alterations. The results showed that the intensity of Deca-Durabolin effect was dose dependent. Co-administration of vitamin C can reduce the deleterious effects of Deca-Durabolin.