Adverse effects of performance-enhancing drugs on the kidney in the male bodybuilders

Summary Objectives There are some reports, particularly case studies about adverse effects of performance-enhancing drugs on the renal function. However, there is very limited information about performance-enhancing drugs effects on the renal function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use a simple screening test to evaluate side effects of performance-enhancing drugs on the kidney among bodybuilding athletes in the south of Iran, Bushehr. Equipment and methods Personal information was collected via a face-to-face interview using a survey containing athlete's characteristics, exercise patterns and state of the performance-enhancing drug use. The bodybuilding athletes were classified according to the state of performance-enhancing drug use in the three stages as follows: (1) current performance-enhancing drug users, (2) non-current performance-enhancing drug users and (3) non-user athletes. The creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were measured as the main indices of renal function. Results The mean creatinine levels were significantly different among three studied groups ( F  = 7.35, df = 2, P F  = 7.35, df = 2, P F  = 5.83, df = 4, P F  = 1.00, df = 2, P  > 0.05). After adjusting for age, body mass index, alcohol and supplement use, the glomerular filtration rate levels of the current users were significantly lower than the non-current user and the non-user athletes. Moreover, the prevalence of acute kidney injury among the current users was significantly higher than the non-current and the non-user athletes ( X 2  = 10.40, df = 4, P