As per a recently concluded study, power lifters who used steroids in the past but no longer remain on steroids benefit from advantages even years later. It was revealed that changes made to their shoulders and quadriceps gave them a competitive edge over others while the drugs were no longer traceable.

The research conducted by Anders Eriksson and Lars-Eric Thornell, Department of Integrative Medical Biology Section, brought out the fact that there is a great possibility that a high number of nuclei in the muscle found by them in previously doped power lifters lead to increased muscle mass in the quadriceps and shoulder regions.

From Bio-Medicine.org:

The researchers examined data in two muscles: the vastus lateralis, found in the quadriceps, and the trapezius, a part of the shoulder-neck muscle. Each muscle is key to power lifting.

Three groups were examined. One group was comprised of seven power lifters who had previously used anabolic steroids for long periods of time but stopped their usage some years ago (PREV). One group was currently power lifting but did not use steroids (P). The third group was power lifting and taking steroids (PAS). The researchers examined muscle fiber distribution, fiber area, subsarcolemmal and internal myonuclei number per fiber, myonuclei expressing androgen receptors, satellite cell numbers per fiber, and proportion of split fibers in each muscle for each individual.

Findings

The researchers found that several years after anabolic steroid withdrawal, and with no or low current strength-training, the muscle fiber area intensity, the number of nuclei per fiber in the quadriceps was still comparable to that of athletes that were currently performing high intensity strength-training. They also discovered that the shoulder-neck fiber areas were comparable to high-intensity trained athletes and the number of nuclei per fiber was even higher than found in the current steroid-using group.

In a nutshell, it can be concluded that previously doped power lifters have an advantage over non-doping or present-day doping athletes indulging into high intensity strength-training due to a high number of nuclei per fiber.

Tags: anabolic steroids, doped power lifters, increased muscle mass, power lifters, steroids

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Squalamine, a chemical discovered from the liver of the sharks, has been proven to be highly effective in putting brakes on the formation of new blood vessels that are destined to feed brain cancer and tumors. This fact was confirmed by lab studies at the Johns Hopkins Medicine, Maryland.

The study revealed that Squalamine inhibits the growth of gliomas (brain cancers) that are implanted in the flanks of rats after disabling growth of blood vessel.

Henry Brem, M.D., director of neurosurgical oncology at Hopkins and senior author of the study, told that squalamine may prove to be an effective option for treating humans for curing brain tumor and other diseases that are dependent on new blood vessel growth.

From News.Bio-Medicine.Org:

Named for the shark genus Squalus, squalamine was discovered in 1992 by scientists who founded Magainin Pharmaceuticals, which processes the chemical and funded the Hopkins studies. Squalamine is the first of a new class of naturally occurring molecules, aminosterols, under development for human therapies.

Squalamine is isolated from the tissues of the dog shark. It blocks or interferes with several steps in a cascade of events involved in blood vessel growth. Based on the Hopkins laboratory work, it is currently in Phase I clinical trials at the University of Texas (San Antonio) and at Georgetown Cancer Center.

In the lab tests, squalamine proved as effective as carmustine (chemotherapeutic agent) for slowing down the growth of gliomas. It also slowed down the growth of new blood vessels that was caused by tumors in the eyes of rabbits.

Tags: brain cancer, carmustine, chemotherapeutic agent, gliomas, squalamine

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Caudal epidural injections (CEIs) with steroids can provide fast relief to patients who suffer with low back pain. In a study of Dr. Fares E. Sayegh and his colleagues found that patients who participated in the study showed improvements in symptoms from the first week of injection.

The team analyzed the data of the 183 patients with severe chronic low back pain and sciatica who were randomized to receive CEIs with xylocaine, betamethasone dipropionate and betamethasone phosphate, or injections with xylocaine and water for injection (WFI).

From Modern Medicine:

Caudal epidural injections (CEIs) with local anesthetic, with or without steroids, may help patients with low back pain, but the steroids may help provide faster relief, according to research published in the June 15 issue of Spine.

The researchers found that both groups showed improvements in symptoms from the first week following injection, but the rate of decrease in Oswestry Disability Index score was more rapid in the steroid group. Although both groups showed improvements in the straight leg raising test, the improvement was faster in the steroid group.

“CEIs containing local anesthetic and steroid or WFI could be effective in relieving the symptoms of patients suffering from low back pain and sciatica. The injection of steroid with local anesthetic leads to greater and faster relief during the first week after the CEI and this improvement is maintained even one-year later. The clinical symptoms of the WFI-group patients are relieved in a more progressive way and not as much and as fast as of the steroid-group’s patients, even one year after the CEI,” the authors write.

In conclusion, the team pointed out that CEIs containing local anesthetic and steroid or WFI are both effective in treating the symptoms of low back pain and sciatica. However, injection with steroids results to greater and faster relief.

Tags: Caudal epidural injections, CEI, low back pain, sciatica, steroid

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A German national, Francesco Gigliotti, was arrested at Southwest Florida International Airport Tuesday after he allegedly smuggled steroids into the country. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent searched Gigliotti’s bag when he arrived at RSW. According to a Lee County Port Authority report, upon searching Gigliotti’s bag, the agent found a container of Deca-Durabolin (steroids), 250 milligrams of Enanthate (testosterone), two plastic syringes and four hypodermic needles.

From News-press.com:

A German national was arrested at Southwest Florida International Airport Tuesday after he allegedly smuggled steroids into the country.

Francesco Gigliotti, 45, of Cologne, was searched by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent when he arrived at RSW. Upon searching Gigliotti’s bag, the agent found a container of Deca-Durabolin (steroids), 250 milligrams of Enanthate (testosterone), two plastic syringes and four hypodermic needles, according to a Lee County Port Authority report.

Gigliotti faces five felony charges, including: two counts of possessing felony drugs, steroids and testosterone; two counts of smuggling steroids; and one count of possessing drug paraphernalia.

The report lists Gigliotti’s Cape Coral address as 338 SE 32nd Terrace. His permanent address is listed as Cologne.

The 45-year old, Francesco Gigliotti, is now facing five felony charges, including two counts of possessing felony drugs, steroids and testosterone; two counts of smuggling steroids; and one count of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Any kind of anabolic steroid is governed by the Controlled Substance Act. Anyone using, buying and possessing them without a prescription from a doctor will be given legal penalties such as monetary fines and prison terms. Many individuals continuously import and trade anabolic steroids, despite its legal consequences, due to high profit and great demand from bodybuilders and athletes. Some steroid users avail their supplies from illegal traders such as Francesco Gigliotti, since they use them as part of their fitness routines.

Tags: anabolic steroids, Deca Durabolin, Enanthate, Francesco Gigliotti

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A steroid nasal spray is far effective than antihistamine pills when it comes to quashing symptoms of allergy as per a recent study.

During the study, it was revealed that Flonase, nasal spray fluticasone, helps in relieving allergy symptoms far better than Claritin, antihistamine loratadine. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid preparation that fights against symptoms of allergy by minimizing the level of inflammation that happens in the nose when an individual is exposed against allergy triggers such as dust mites.

From Bio-Medicine.org:

Using a steroid nasal spray to quash allergy symptoms may work better than antihistamine pills. Researchers say that when used on an “as-needed”, rather than daily basis, the nasal spray fluticasone (Flonase) relieves allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing and congestion more effectively than the antihistamine loratadine (Claritin).

Dr. Robert M. Naclerio and his colleagues at the University of Chicago in Illinois remarked that patients with seasonal allergies are always advised to take steroid nasal sprays or antihistamines on a daily basis but they tend to overrule the advice.

Tags: antihistamine loratadine, antihistamines, claritin, corticosteroid, flonase, fluticasone, seasonal allergies, steroid nasal sprays

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In a clinical trial that was conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and part of the National Institutes of Health, it was revealed that a low dosage regimen of steroids can prove to be an excellent option for treating bone marrow cancer patients rather than persisting for the standard dose of dexamethasone.

The trial revealed that low doses of dexamethasone, a steroid, with lenalidomide can work wonders on patients who are fighting against newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. It was also revealed that the combination of dexamethasone and lenalidomide brought fewer side-effects.

From Bio-Medicine.Org:

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells that are found in blood and bone marrow.

Survival chances improved considerably when a low dose of the steroid dexamethasone combined with lenalidomide was tried on patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

The clinical trial was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and conducted by a network of researchers led by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG).

The significance of the results lies in that a low dose regimen has been found to be more effective than the standard dose of dexamethasone.

Researchers found that patients in the study who received a lower dose regimen had a one-year survival of 96 percent compared to 86 per cent for patients treated in the case of those with the standard-dose of dexamethasone and lenalidomide.

In addition, there were fewer side effects associated with the low-dose dexamethasone and lenalidomide.

As per noted study chair Vincent Rajkumar, the combination of lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone is extremely positive and truly represents a potential step ahead for treating multiple myeloma.

Tags: bone marrow cancer, dexamethasone, lenalidomide, multiple myeloma, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

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A businessman, Michael Kehoe, was caught with around 80,000 steroids which he claimed were for personal use. He said he had them for himself and would occasionally give them away to friends. Kehoe, of Orwell Park, runs two businesses in the fitness industry; The Supplement Store on Camden Street and IrishLifting.com, a website selling specialized gym equipment.

Gardai and Customs Officers got a warrant to search the house where Kehoe was living with his girlfriend. Almost 80,000 tablets were found consisting of six different types of steroids, including ‘Angel Dust‘, ‘Pink Thai‘ and ephedrine. Judge Pat McCartan fined Kehoe €2,000 on each of the three counts with six months in jail if he fails to pay. He also ordered him to pay costs to the prosecution of €3,000.

From IrelandOn-Line

A successful businessman has escaped with a fine after been caught with around 80,000 steroids he claimed were for personal use.

Liam Wright of the Irish Medicines Board testified that there was a “commercial quantity” of the drugs and he did not think they were for personal use. He said they would be supplied to athletes in gyms and other sporting organizations.

They also found glass vials, a tablet moulding device, used needles, and price lists for anabolic steroids. There were payment documents relating to purchases from Russia, Pakistan and China and packaging originating from Thailand.

Mr. Wright said all these drugs were banned in Ireland and people usually sourced them illegally on the internet. Their total value was estimated at around €20,000.

However, according to the defense counsel of Kehoe, said that his client suffers from Male Body Dysmorphia, a psychiatric disorder where the patient is obsessed with his body image. He said Kehoe became part of a “culture of steroid abuse” through the people he was training and mixing with.

Tags: Michael Kehoe, steroids

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Patients who suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis can safely use daily steroid-saline nasal lavage every day for 30 days. This is because study shows that this treatment has no harmful effect on adrenal sufficiency.

In the study made by the group of Dr. Jay Piccirillo, they found out that the therapy offered a clinically significant improvement in symptoms. However, they clarify that the treatment protocol is off-label and still requires a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess other risks, such as potential loss of bone mineral density, as well as benefits in chronic rhinosinusitis.

From Medpage today:

Nine patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were instructed to administer 0.25 milligrams of budesonide, diluted with 5.0 milliliters of isotonic saline daily for 30 days.

Their blood cortisol levels were measured before and after the 30 days using the standard cosyntropin stimulation test. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20).

Analysis showed:

• There was little difference in average post-stimulation cortisol levels at baseline and after 30 days — 33.9 micrograms per deciliter compared with 35.2

• After 30 days, no patient had a post-stimulation cortisol level below the critical level (18 to 20 micrograms per deciliter) that would indicate adrenal insufficiency

• The total SNOT-20 score was 2.4 on average at baseline and 1.4 at the 30-day visit, an improvement that was both statistically and clinically significant (at P=0.02)

Although the use of the medication as part of nasal lavage has not been approved by the FDA, the researchers said that the off-label use of medications is legal and an accepted part of medical practice. The decrease in SNOT-20 scores, which is consistent to all patients, shows that the intervention is effective. They claim that the study will help physicians who want to use the method explain potential risks and benefits to patients.

Tags: chronic rhinosinusitis, Dr. Piccirillo, steroid lavage

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Low dose of steroids are beneficial in treating sepsis. The latest meta-analysis indicates that steroids are useful but only when started later and delivered in lower doses over a longer period. The analysis also confirmed that a delayed, low-dose five- to seven-day steroid regimen followed by steroid taper for an equal period is effective regardless of response to corticotropin stimulation test. The new meta-analysis was headed by Dr. Peter C. Minneci of the critical care medicine department of the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland.

From Medscape today:

The difficulty with steroid use is that most published articles provide little evidence to back up claims of efficacy. For example, Dr. Minneci said a literature search identified 1,324 articles, of which 162 were clinical trials, but most of those were not randomized.

“Studies published after 1997 consistently report a beneficial effect for steroids. Four studies report a mortality benefit,” Dr. Minneci pointed out.

Analysis indicates several differences in steroid use in the earlier studies compared with the more recent studies. “The newer studies generally enrolled sicker patients — for example, control mortality in the recent studies is 57% while in the earlier studies it was 34%, and 100% of patients in the recent studies are on vasopressors,” Dr. Minneci said.

There are some arguments whether steroids are beneficial to sepsis patients because of the many meta-analyses conducted years ago. However, there are important things that medical experts consider like in the studies published before 1989, steroids were initiated in less than two hours, while in the later trials steroid therapy was started at 23 hours and administered for an average of six days rather than one day, which was the case in the earlier studies. As pointed out by Dr. Minneci, none of the earlier studies used steroid tapers, while all of newer studies used tapers.

Tags: Dr. Minneci, sepsis, steroids

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Recent developments in pharmaceuticals and technology now give us more choices for treating intraocular inflammation. Newer developments in eye drops now give us different “strengths” of steroid eye drops. New drug delivery systems will be giving us sustained release of steroids.

Steroid eye drops have been the mainstay of anti-inflammatory treatment for decades indicated for most types of ocular surgery and inflammatory conditions of the eye.

From Gerson Lehrman Group:

The gold-standard of anti-inflammatory eyedrops has been prednisolone acetate 1%. Prednisolone acetate 1% has been effective in controlling intraocular inflammation as well as inflammation of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva.

Durezol (difluprednate) was recently released as a topical synthetic steroid indicated for post-surgical inflammation. The drug reportedly has no rise in intraocular pressure, yet has the same anti-inflammatory “power” as prednisolone acetate 1%.

Vexol (timexolone) is known as a “soft” steroid. It has less anti-inflammatory properties and is indicated for treatment of inflammatory conditions of the anterior segment and surgery.

Lotemax (loteprednol etabonate) is also a “soft” steroid, has decreased anti-inflammatory properties, does have IOP spikes and is indicated for inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea and anterior segment.

LASIK surgery is commonly treated with prednisolone acetate 1% 4x/day for about one week. There is generally limited corneal and anterior segment inflammation.

Intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) have been popular over the past several years. In this modality, the steroid is injected directly into the vitreous. Recently, FDA approved another new treatment – the Ozurdex. This drug is injected into the vitreous cavity and releases dexamethasone for a limited time. It is indicated for the treatment of macular edema caused by vein occlusions. The off-label use for intraocular inflammation is sure to follow for treatment of refractory uveitis and possible post-operative inflammation of the anterior segment and posterior segment (retina).

Tags: intraocular inflammation, prednisolone, steroid, steroid eye drops

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