# Silent Threats to the Liver: Acute Hepatotoxicity Attributed to Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs)

**Authors:** Bola Habeb, Otto Valdes, Sandy Khair, Erica S Thomson

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.85500 · 2025-06-07

## TL;DR

SARMs, used for muscle gain, can cause sudden liver damage through harmful effects like oxidative stress and lipid changes.

## Contribution

Highlights the link between SARMs and acute liver injury, emphasizing safety concerns and the need for regulation.

## Key findings

- SARMs cause liver damage via oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disruption.
- Clinical evidence shows acute hepatotoxicity linked to SARM use.
- Regulatory oversight is needed due to rising non-medical SARM usage.

## Abstract

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their potential to improve muscle mass and athletic performance with reduced androgenic side effects compared to traditional anabolic steroids. However, despite their growing popularity, there is increasing evidence linking SARMs to acute liver injury, raising concerns regarding their safety profile. SARMs can disrupt normal liver function through various pathways, including oxidative stress, alterations in lipid metabolism, and direct hepatocellular toxicity. This article explores the association between SARMs and acute liver injury, examining the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity, clinical manifestations, and potential therapeutic approaches. The findings underscore the need for further research and regulatory oversight in using SARMs, particularly in non-medical and performance-enhancing contexts.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** acute liver injury (MESH:D017114), hepatocellular toxicity (MESH:D006528)
- **Chemicals:** Selective Androgen Receptor (-), lipid (MESH:D008055)

## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12230875/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12230875