Methandrostenolone (slang name: Methane) is an oral anabolic steroid originally synthesized by Dr. John Ziegler and released in the United States in the early 1960s by Ciba. Initially, methandrostenolone was used to accelerate recovery and treat burns and even to increase overall tone in women, but it soon became widely used in bodybuilding as a means of increasing muscle mass until it was banned by the FDA.
It is also known under the names: Dianabol, Danabol, Nerobol, Naposim, DBOL, and Metandienone. In bodybuilding, the slang name “Methane” is widely used. Less common brand names include: Methanoger, Anabolin, Bionabol, Dehydromethyltestosterone, Metastenol, Novabol, Perabol, Perbolin, Pronabol, Stenolone, Anabol, Vanabol, Dianoget, and many others. An injectable form of Dianoget from Golden Dragon Pharmaceuticals (Hong Kong) has appeared. Today, there is a large amount of discrediting information about Danabol. Authors exaggerate its toxic properties and underestimate its anabolic activity. Nevertheless, practice shows that a course of methandrostenolone lasting about 6 weeks at a dose of 30 mg per day can increase muscle mass by 8-10 kg, followed by a loss of 2-5 kg (the so-called rebound phenomenon). The rebound phenomenon can be minimized if the course is designed correctly.
Pharmacological action of Methandrostenolone
- The main effect of methandrostenolone is a rapid increase in muscle mass due to the activation of protein synthesis and glycogenesis.
- At the same time, strength indicators increase.
- Appetite increases.
- Fat is burned insignificantly.
- The skeletal system is strengthened.
- Methandrostenolone has a relatively weak androgenic effect (50% compared to testosterone), but it does occur in vivo.
- Studies have shown that side effects begin to appear in most cases when the dose of Danabol exceeds 30 mg per day.
Study of the effects of long-term use of methandienone
Data from 6 bodybuilding athletes were studied. All took methandrostenolone (Dianabol) independently. One of the athletes used the drug continuously for several years, while the other five took it for 7-10 months in courses lasting from 3 weeks to 3 months with equal breaks in between to avoid side effects. In addition, they consumed large amounts of protein and trained up to 6 times a week for 2-3 hours.
Blood parameters, liver and endocrine system functions, including testosterone, LH, FSH, and other laboratory parameters, were evaluated.
The results of clinical analyses for each athlete who took methandienone:
- None of the athletes reported sexual dysfunction.
- Blood parameters were normal, with one athlete having elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit.
- Liver function tests showed elevated AST and alkaline phosphatase in 2 subjects.
- Testosterone levels were below normal in 4 of the 6 subjects who were still on the course.
- LH was significantly reduced in 4 and relatively low in 2.
- FSH was slightly decreased in 3 subjects but significantly increased in 1.
- The thyroid hormone thyroxine was normal.
- The athlete with the longest history of dianabol use (several years) had elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and uric acid.
