healthcare Review Adverse Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: A Literature Review Giuseppe Davide Albano 1,†, Francesco Amico 1,†, Giuseppe Cocimano 1, Aldo Liberto 1, Francesca Maglietta 2, Massimiliano Esposito 1, Giuseppe Li Rosi 3, Nunzio Di Nunno 4, Monica Salerno 1,‡ and Angelo Montana 1,*,‡ 1 Legal Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
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[email protected]; Tel.: +39-095-3782153 † These authors contributed equally to this work. ‡ These authors share last authorship. Abstract: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are a large group of molecules including endoge- nously produced androgens, such as testosterone, as well as synthetically manufactured derivatives. AAS use is widespread due to their ability to improve muscle growth for aesthetic purposes and athletes’ performance, minimizing androgenic effects. AAS use is very popular and 1–3% of US inhabitants have been estimated to be AAS users. However, AASs have side effects, involving all organs, tissues and body functions, especially long-term toxicity involving the cardiovascular system Citation: Albano, G.D.; Amico, F.; and the reproductive system, thereby, their abuse is considered a public health issue.