PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - F M Grace AU - B Davies TI - Raised concentrations of C reactive protein in anabolic steroid using bodybuilders AID - 10.1136/bjsm.2003.005991 DP - 2004 Feb 01 TA - British Journal of Sports Medicine PG - 97--98 VI - 38 IP - 1 4099 - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/38/1/97.short 4100 - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/38/1/97.full SO - Br J Sports Med2004 Feb 01; 38 AB - Objective: To examine levels of C reactive protein in users of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) compared with age matched control groups consisting of AAS using (but abstinent)/resistance trained and non-drug using/sedentary controls. Method: Subjects included AAS using bodybuilders (n  =  10); bodybuilders who denied AAS use (n  =  10); sedentary controls (n  =  8). Venous blood was sampled, from which serum concentrations of C reactive protein, male sex hormones, and cardiac troponin T were determined. Results: A significantly altered hormonal profile in the AAS using group provided indirect confirmation of AAS use. C reactive protein concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the AAS using bodybuilders. There was no relation between C reactive protein and cardiac troponin T. Conclusion: AAS using bodybuilders had significantly higher C reactive protein concentrations, indicating a greater propensity to develop peripheral arterial disease.