| Summary: | INTRODUCTION: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been associated with several biological processes of the human body, regulating, among others blood pressure and water and electrolytes balance. Moreover, RAS also regulates connective tissue growth. Recently, studies have shown that the use of nandrolone modifies the angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) activity and increases collagen deposition in the heart. OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to evaluate the Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) activity in the superficial flexor tendon (SFT) and in serum after load exercise in combination with anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) administration after training session and six weeks of detraining. METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar rats were used into two groups (G1 and G2) subdivided into four subgroups: Sedentary (S); trained (T); AAS-treated (Deca-Durabolin(r), 5mg/kg, twice a week) sedentary rats (AAS) and AAS-treated and trained animals (AAST). Trained groups performed jumps in water: four series of 10 jumps each, followed by a 30 sec interval between the series, for seven weeks. RESULTS: Training increased ACE activity in the SFT compared to the control group (p <0.05). Both AAS and AAST groups presented higher ACE activity levels (p < 0.05). The AAST increased the ACE activity only compared to the trained animals. Only the AAST group presented significant higher levels of ACE in the serum. In the G2 group, all experimental groups presented decreased ACE activity in the serum and in the tendon, as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that AAS administration and its combination with exercise increased ACE activity of tendons. AAS abuse could compromise tendon adaptation causing maladaptive remodeling.
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