Coronary inflammation by computed tomography pericoronary fat attenuation in young male anabolic androgenic steroid users

Abstract Background The illicit use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has been associated with diminished cholesterol efflux mediated by HDL, remarkable decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) plasma concentration and subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD). Inflammation is the key to atherogenic process atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. pericoronary mean fat attenuation (pFAM) emerged as a marker inflammation can predict future cardiovascular events, which measurable from standard computed tomography angiography (CCTA). However, whether AAS abuse role pFAM young male users unknown. Purpose aim this study was evaluate could leads higher premature users. Methods Twenty strength-trained (AASU) age 29±5 yr, 20 age-matched nonusers (AASNU), 10 sedentary controls (SC) were enrolled study. Coronary assessed pFAM-CCTA right (RCA), left anterior descending (LDA) circumflex (Cx). Results RCA significantly AASU compared AASNU SC (−64.59±9.45 vs. −79.21±6.67 −80.97±7,91 Hounsfield Units (HU), respectively, p<0.001]. Also, LAD (−72.83±7.21 −79.41±6.72 −80.97±7.72 HU, p=0.006). no difference Cx between AASU, (−74.30±5.85 −79.77±7.13 −78.19±5.82 p=0.069) found. Conclusion This indicates that may be LAD. linked early development CAD Funding Acknowledgement Type funding sources: Other. Main source(s): Fundação Zerbini