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Aims: Nowadays, using the derivatives of steroids has been increased among athletes, despite their vast gradient side effects. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 17&alpha-alkyl steroids and 17&beta-hydroxy steroids on levels of liver enzymes and hematological factors in male bodybuilders.

Materials & Methods: In this causal comparing study in 2014, 24 male bodybuilders of Mashhad City, Iran, were entered to the study by census method. The samples were divided into three groups (each 8 persons) consumers of oral steroids (17&alpha-alkyl), consumers of injected steroids (17&beta-hydroxy) and athletes without the experience of using steroids. The blood samples from cubital vein for measurements of the liver enzymes and hematological factors were taken 48 hours after training following 12 hours of overnight fasting. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in SPSS 19 software.

Findings: The level of ALT and AST enzymes in the first group were increased over the second (p=0.032) and third (p=0.001) groups significantly. The amount of red blood cells were significantly higher in second group then first and third groups and in first group than control group (p=0.01). The levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin in the first and second groups significantly were higher than third group (p=0.01). However, there were no significant differences in values of lymphocytes, Neutrophils, ALP, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC and PLT between the groups.

Conclusion: AST and ALT enzymes merely increase by taking oral steroids (17&alpha-alkyl) however, increase in erythrocyte, hematocrit and hemoglobin are expected by taking any form of medication.

Keywords: Alkaline Phosphatase, Alanine Aminotransferase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Steroids
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