Laxmi S. Inamdar (Doddamani)

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are derivatives of testosterone being abused by athletes and non-athletes. The present investigation aims to evaluate the impact of one of the AAS compounds Stanozolol (ST) on antioxidant system, AChE activity in brain and histopathology of kidney in female mice. Adult female mice were assigned to four experimental groups (n=5) and different doses of ST (0.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg bwt, respectively) were administrated s.c. for 30 days. On 30th day the brain and kidney were removed, frozen and stored at -80 ⁰C, for antioxidant and AChE enzyme activities. Kidney was processed for histopathological analysis.   A significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as glutathione (GSH) and augmented level of malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in brain and kidney homogenates of medium and high dose treated groups were noticed as compared to control. Significant reduction in AChE activity was perceived in the brains of entire treatment group as compared to control. The degree of impact of ST is more pronounced in brain in contrast to kidney. Histopathological analysis of kidney encountered changes in histoarchitecture of kidney that include shrunken glomeruli with minimized capillary tuft and increased glomerular space.  At certain regions enlarged glomeruli with infiltration of endothelial cells leading to hyperplasia, hemorrhage and tubular necrosis were noticed in high dose treatment group. It is inferred that ST induces alterations in local redox antioxidant cascade in brain and kidney in dose dependent fashion. Besides, it alters neurotransmitter activity and impairs renal function in female mice.