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Steroids pose risks to health, 'spirit' of sports

BY JOHN JEANSONNE | john.jeansonne@newsday.com

December 14, 2007

Yesterday's Mitchell Report on chemical cheating in baseball, at last putting on record the decade-old reports of widespread steroid use in the sport, provided the shock value of marquee names and a public-relations spin of future commitment, but barely touched on the major concerns of anti-doping experts.

"Three things," said Dr. Gary Wadler, a Manhasset-based expert on drugs in sport and a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency. "The potential to enhance performance, the risk of health and the violation of the spirit of sport."

When the anti-doping agency, which polices drug use in international sports (but not in the four major North American professional leagues), compiles its regular update of banned substances, it bases its decisions on applying at least two of those three principles. Plus, added Wadler, who will assume the chairman's role of the agency's banned-list committee in January, "One of the mundane issues here is that we are a country of laws."

Anabolic steroids and human growth hormone, the two banned substances dealt with in the Mitchell Report, cannot be bought or sold legally without a physician's prescription. "These are very dangerous drugs," Wadler said.

An anabolic steroid is a synthetic derivative created in a laboratory of testosterone, and therefore can help athletes build muscle mass and strength, facilitating more intense training and faster recovery from physical exertion. But steroid health dangers include the feminization of males and masculinization of females, voice changes, cardiovascular disease, stunted growth in teenagers, clotting abnormalities, alterations in cholesterol, male impotence and psychiatric effects including paranoia, irritability, so-called "roid rage," profound depression and dependency.

Human growth hormone is technically not a steroid though it acts similarly. It is a chemically manufactured version of a substance produced by the pituitary glad that builds muscle and strengthens connective tissue. It also sometimes is said to improve vision, especially when used in combination with steroids or insulin.

Adverse health effects from human growth hormone use include enlargement of the heart, liver and jawbones, diabetes, hypertension, and increased risk of colon cancer and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Former Sen. George Mitchell, in presenting his report yesterday, did mention that "the illegal use of these [two substances] may cause serious harm to the user" and that the use by star players "encourages young athletes to use them, and ... the abuse of steroids and others substances can have more serious effects on young people than on adults."

Furthermore, Mitchell acknowledged, the "illegal use in baseball victimizes the majority of players who don't use them" - by creating an uneven playing field or by presenting all players with the sense that they cannot compete unless they too resort to banned substances.

HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE EFFECTS

Face and Head: Said to improve vision; enlargement of jawbones

Upper Body: Builds muscle and strengthens connective tissue; carpal tunnel syndrome

Heart: Enlargement; hypertension

Liver: Enlargement

Pancreas: Diabetes

Colon: Increased risk of cancer

STEROID EFFECTS

Brain: Increases aggressiveness; Causes paranoia, irritability, so-called "roid rage" and depression

Face and Head: Severe acne and hair loss

Upper Body: Builds muscle mass and boosts strength, stamina

Heart: Can lead to heart attack or high blood pressure; alterations in cholesterol

Liver and Kidneys: Can cause dysfunction, failure, cysts or internal bleeding

Ligaments and Tendons: Can lead to injury

Reproductive System: Male impotence

COMPILED BY JOHN JEANSONNE