Structurally different anabolic androgenic steroids reduce neurite outgrowth and neuronal viability in primary rat cortical cell cultures

The illicit use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) among adolescents and young adults is a major concern due to the unknown unpredictable impact AAS on developing brain consequences this mental health, cognitive function behaviour. present study aimed investigate effects supra-physiological doses four structurally different (testosterone, nandrolone, stanozolol trenbolone) neurite development cell viability using an in vitro model immature primary rat cortical cultures. A high-throughput screening image-based approach, measuring length number neurons, was used for analysis outgrowth. In addition, expression Tubb3 gene (encoding protein beta-III tubulin) were investigated. Testosterone, trenbolone elicited adverse outgrowth as deduced from observed reduced per neuron. Trenbolone only that indicated by decreased neurons declined mitochondrial function. Moreover, downregulated mRNA expression. neither inhibited nor supressed selective androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, flutamide, suggesting result another mechanism or mechanisms action are operating apart AR activation. results demonstrate possible AAS-induced detrimental effect neuronal regenerative functions. An these events, essential maintaining normal function, could possibly contribute behavioural alterations seen users.