Nandrolone decanoate increases the volume but not the length of the proximal and distal convoluted tubules of the mouse kidney

Anabolic androgenic steroids are widely used by athletes for increasing their muscle mass. These drugs are also used by some patients with chronic renal disease. But the effect of these drugs on the renal structure has received less attention. To investigate which parts of the kidney are affected by these drugs, mice kidneys were studied stereologically after injection of nandrolone decanoate (ND), an anabolic androgenic steroid. The treated group received nandrolone decanoate intraperitoneally (solved in olive oil) in doses of 3 mg/kg of body weight and administered in one, two and three doses, respectively, in the first, second and third week of treatment. The mice in the control group received an olive oil solution. One week after the last injection, the mice were anaesthetized and their kidney removed. The analysis of data revealed that the weight of kidney was increased ∼30% (p ≤ 0.006) and its volume increased ∼25% (p ≤ 0.02) in ND treated mice in comparison with the control group. The volume of the cortex increased in ND treated animals ∼44% (p ≤ 0.006). Proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and distal convoluted tubules (DCT) volume increased ∼25% (p ≤ 0.02) and ∼68% (p ≤ 0.02) in ND treated mice. The volume of glomeruli, other ducts, connective tissues, vessels and the length of PCT, DCT, collecting and Henle's ducts and vessels did not show significant differences. Conclusion: ND can increase the volume of the renal cortex and its two main parts, i.e. PCT and DCT in mice.