Liver injury associated with the use of selective androgen receptor modulators and post-cycle therapy: Two case reports and literature review

Liver injury associated with the use of selective androgen receptor modulators and post-cycle therapy : Two case reports and literature review / Tomas Koller, Petra Vrbova, Iveta Meciarova, Pavol Molcan, Michal Smitka, Svetlana Adamcova Selcanova, Lubomir Skladany. - (World Journal of Clinical Cases 9 (2021) 16 (6 June); p. 4062-4071)

  • PMID: 34141767
  • PMCID: PMC8180234
  • DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i16.4062


Abstract

Background: Muscle growth promoters are being developed for the treatment of disease-induced loss of muscle mass. Ligandrol and ostarine are selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) with a non-steroidal structure and a presumably more favorable side effect profile. In recent years, these substances with or without "post-cycle therapy" (PCT) are often misused by amateur athletes aiming to promote muscle growth. At the same time, reports on their toxic effects on organ systems are emerging.

Case summary: We report two cases of liver injury in young men who used ligandrol and/or ostarine for a few weeks followed by the use of substances for PCT. Acute liver injury occurred in both cases after stopping SARMs while on PCT. The clinical picture was dominated by jaundice and fatigue. The biochemical pattern showed a mixed type of injury with normal alkaline phosphatase and high concentrations of bilirubin and serum bile acids. Histological evidence showed predominantly cholestatic injury with canalicular bile plugs, ductopenia, and mild hepatocellular damage without significant fibrosis. The patients recovered from the condition after 3 mo. The off target effects of SARMs were likely idiosyncratic, but our report highlights the yet unrecognized effects of other toxic substances used for PCT, supra-therapeutic doses, and the complete absence of monitoring for adverse effects.

Conclusion: Among muscle-building amateur athletes, SARMs (ligandrol or ostarine) and/or substances in PCT may cause cholestatic liver injury with prolonged recovery.

Original document

Parameters

Science
Case report
Review
Date
6 June 2021
People
Koller, Tomas
Meciarova, Iveta
Molcan, Pavol
Selcanova, Svetlana Adamcova
Skladany, Lubomir
Smitka, Michal
Vrbova, Petra
Country
Slovakia
Language
English
Other organisations
Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita v Bratislave - Slovak Medical University in Bratislava (SMU)
Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave - Comenius University in Bratislava
Doping classes
S1. Anabolic Agents
Substances
Enobosarm (ostarine)
LGD-4033 (ligandrol)
Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs)
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Health effects
Kidney / liver disease
Document category
Scientific article
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Date generated
21 September 2021
Date of last modification
1 December 2021
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