According to a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, California, athletes using anabolic steroids for gaining muscle strength and mass may end up destroying their kidney function.

It was revealed in the paper that long-term habitual use of steroids can lead to severe harmful effects on the kidneys, a fact that was not recognized till now.

From News-Medical.Net:

Reports of professional athletes who abuse anabolic steroids are increasingly common. Most people know that using steroids is not good for your health, but until now, their effects on the kidneys have not been known. Leal Herlitz, MD (Columbia University Medical Center) and her colleagues recently conducted the first study describing injury to the kidneys following long-term abuse of anabolic steroids. The investigators studied a group of 10 bodybuilders who used steroids for many years and developed protein leakage into the urine and severe reductions in kidney function. Kidney tests revealed that nine of the ten bodybuilders developed a condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a type of scarring within the kidneys. This disease typically occurs when the kidneys are overworked. The kidney damage in the bodybuilders has similarities to that seen in morbidly obese patients, but appears to be even more severe.

When the bodybuilders discontinued steroid use their kidney abnormalities improved, with the exception of one individual with advanced kidney disease who developed end-stage kidney failure and required dialysis. Also, one of the bodybuilders started taking steroids again and suffered a relapse of severe kidney dysfunction.

Dr. Herlitz remarked that athletes using anabolic steroids to gain an advantage and their doctors must completely understand and realize the potentially serious risks to the kidney. This study was conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Vivette D’Agati, MD at Columbia Univeristy Medical Center.