Abstract
The effect of anabolic steroid (19-norandrosterone phenylpropionate) on the lipoic acid metabolism was observed in young rats, fed on 5 % casein diet for 4 weeks (group 1,2), 5% casein for 2 weeks then 18 % casein for another 2 weeks (group 3,4), and 18 % casein for 4 weeks (group 5,6). The groups 2,4 and 6 were injected with 0.5 mg of the steroid in every 2 days for last 2 weeks. The effect of the steroid was most effective in group 4,which showed remarkably higher weight gain, serum protein, serum lipoic acid levels, hepatic contents of nitrogen and lipoic acid than the control group (group 3). By the steroid injection, the hepatic content of lipoic acid was not changed in low protein-diet group (group 2), but in 18 % casein diet group (group 6) rather decreased. Though the steroid caused an increase of the weight of kidney, while the content of liopic acid usually decreased.
