Estimativa da densidade de neurônios da amígdala basolateral e central e avaliação comportamental de camundongos sob o uso de esteroides anabolizantes

Abstract

The anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, which possess anabolic and androgenic properties that promote increase in muscle mass and body weight. These drugs have been used in gyms and physical training centers without any criteria or control, representing a high health risk to users, including neurological, such as aggressive symptoms. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of AAS on neurons distribution act in specific brain areas: basolateral and central amygdala, as well as the impact of these drugs in mice behavior. 40 male mice of Swiss strain were used, from the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL – MG) bioterium, divided into 4 groups (n=10): G1: Control, G2: treated with anabolic steroid Deca durabolin®, G3: treated with anabolic steroid Durateston® and G4: treated in cycle with both anabolic steroids, concomitantly. Mice were treated for two months, receiving the AAS doses and practicing swimming. After the behavioral test with elevated plus-maze was performed mice were euthanized, the brains were removed and stored in 4% paraformaldehyde 0,1M. For the analysis of the estimation of neuron cell bodies density, simple random counting method was used. The result of neuron quantification shows that there was significantly decrease of neuron cell bodies in the analyzed regions in groups treated with anabolic steroids, in comparison with the control group. Behavior analysis in elevated plus-maze showed that mice treated with anabolic steroids presented a anxiolytic profile when compared to the control group.