Plaintiff attorneys filed dozens of lawsuits this week against several manufacturers of the dietary supplement androstenedione, alleging the companies falsely market the substance as effective. The lawsuits, which were filed yesterday in six states, say androstenedione, a muscle enhancer first made popular by former baseball player Mark McGwire four years ago, is not effective at promoting muscle growth or increasing testosterone levels. Numerous companies promote androstenedione, more commonly known as andro, as a safe alternative to anabolic steroids.

Attorneys who filed the suits cite the fact that several studies have proven that the supplement does not work. In 1999, for example, an Iowa State University study found no differences in andro compared to a placebo. An East Tennessee University report recently revealed that andro actually increases estrogen levels in men, not testosterone. Attorneys are seeking class-action status for the lawsuits.