Written by Dan Gwartney, M.D.
02 June 2009

Nandrolone Cypionate - A Quicker Form of Deca

 

 

From time to time, a "new" steroid emerges and gains great attention. Bodybuilders eagerly anticipate adding a new weapon to their chemical arsenal, hoping the newly modified androgen will somehow allow them to break personal records and pack an extra inch into their shirtsleeves. It's important to put aside the emotional reaction that accompanies any novel introduction and evaluate these "new" entries on a more objective basis.
There truly has not been much in the way of novel steroids in the last three decades, as the existing drugs appear to cover all the bases therapeutically; the number of treatments using anabolic steroids has decreased; the public stigma and increased regulation hinders business growth; and the drugs are no longer protected by patents, making them less profitable. Only recently has the public become aware of an underground research and development presence within the black market serving professional and Olympic athletes.1,2 Unfortunately, the primary aim of these new steroids is to avoid detection rather than improve the safety or efficacy of the drugs.

Improving Upon Deca
There have been a few steroids newly released on the market in the last several years. However, for the most part, it's a bit of a stretch to call them new. One recent entry into the anabolic pharmacopoeia is nandrolone cypionate (CAS registry #601-63-8). This drug has been manufactured in the past by a small number of companies, but it's now encountered most commonly as the SYD GROUP product Anabolic DN.3 SYD GROUP is a veterinary drug company utilizing a manufacturing plant located in Australia and distributing primarily throughout Mexico. SYD GROUP has received positive reports based upon the experiences of bodybuilders who have used SYD GROUP products, as well as claims appearing on message boards that the products' contents have been verified in laboratory analysis.
Considering the sources of this information are not readily identified and that this will appear in the U.S. as a diverted product on the black market, the usual precautions should be taken with this product. As with other anabolic steroids, sale or possession of nandrolone cypionate is a federal felony. No SYD GROUP counterfeit products have been reported; recent label changes (including a hologram) should make it difficult to produce a convincing imitation and the company provides batch numbers and expiration dates on it website.
Nandrolone cypionate is a 17-B ester of nandrolone, similar to the familiar and extremely popular steroid Deca-durabolin. Whereas Deca has a 10-carbon ester (decanoate) attached to the nandrolone molecule, Anabolic DN has an eight-carbon ester (cypionate). The difference between esters affects several properties of a steroid. In general, the longer the ester, the slower it's released, the less potent per milligram and the delay to effect is longer.6 Deca provides excellent results to male and female bodybuilders, but a common complaint is that it requires either a long cycle or it has to be stacked with fast-acting injectables or orals. By bonding nandrolone to a shorter ester, users are in effect provided with a faster-acting, slightly more potent version of Deca.



Changing to a shorter ester would be viewed as a negative alteration for the therapeutic use of nandrolone in many cases; shorter esters require more frequent injections and have higher peaks. However, for the bodybuilder, this may be seen as a positive. Bodybuilders typically cycle anabolic steroids for a period of six to 12 weeks. As Deca has both a slow onset of action and long half-life, Deca cycles often last 12 to 16 weeks. A quicker-acting version of nandrolone would allow for a quicker onset of action, quicker results and a comparatively shorter cycle. Having a shorter half-life, Anabolic DN would clear the system quicker, allowing natural testosterone production to be restored in a shorter time.7 For those subject to drug testing, users of Anabolic DN would not test positive for as long as those who use an equivalent amount of Deca. Female users suffering from androgenic side effects could anticipate a quicker resolution of the problems compared to Deca, though the time course would still be slow.

Establishing a Trend
Anabolic DN represents a trend in steroid development. Foreign manufacturers are recognizing that there's a demand for both different esters of established steroids and higher concentrations. Nandrolone is extremely popular, but as previously stated, it's slow acting in its most common form (Deca). There are fast-acting, very short chain nandrolone esters, such as the drug Durabolin.8 Durabolin elicits a rapid response, but requires frequent injections, as it is quickly cleared from the system. Most recreational users prefer a form that provides a response within the first week to 10 days, but does not require an injection every other day.
Another trend demonstrated by Anabolic DN is the high concentration, 300 milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml).3 Deca and most testosterone esters traditionally have concentrations no higher than 200 mg/ml. However, the demand for high-concentration products by bodybuilders has inspired some manufacturers to produce higher-concentration products. This is achieved through the use of additives such as benzyl alcohol and/or benzyl benzoate. One drawback to such preparations is the tendency to cause injection site pain and swelling. However, most users report Anabolic DN injections are tolerable.



The benefits of Anabolic DN are derived from its steroid component, nandrolone. Nandrolone is also known as 19-nortestosterone (19-NT). 19-NT is similar to testosterone, with the exception of a carbon atom missing from one end of the molecule (carbon 19). Though 19-NT retains its anabolic properties, much of the androgenic effect of the steroid is removed. Additionally, the metabolism of 19-NT imparts different effects than the metabolism of testosterone. Two primary enzyme systems metabolize testosterone; aromatase and 5-A reductase. These same enzyme systems also act on 19-NT, but the end result is different.



Aromatase is an enzyme that converts androgens into estrogenic hormones.9,10 This is the mechanism that leads to side effects such as gynecomastia- the development of breast tissue in males.11 Testosterone and androstenedione are natural precursors for this enzymatic conversion, which takes place in eight steps in humans. The conversion of androgens to estrogens requires the formation of three double bonds in the first ring, with the removal of carbon-19.



This explanation suggests that a steroid without carbon-19 (e.g., 19-NT) would aromatize more rapidly, but in fact the enzymatic process is much less efficient and requires a separate enzyme pathway.12 19-NT is not naturally present in appreciable amounts in humans and does not serve as a preferred precursor to the aromatase system.13 Compared to testosterone, 19-NT is only converted to estrogen at a 10-20 percent efficiency rate.14-16 This explains why many bodybuilders do not suffer estrogenic side effects when using Deca or other nandrolone-based drugs. Some do develop gynecomastia. When this happens, it may be due to the presence of other anabolic steroids or the ability of 19-NT to bind to and activate progesterone receptors.17 Progesterone is another female hormone.
Due in part to its mild estrogenic burden, progesterone-like properties and androgenic structure, 19-NT will shut down natural testosterone production.7 Given that 19-NT does not have a strong androgenic component, many users suffer from a decreased libido and occasionally impotence, unless they also stack an androgenic steroid in the cycle. This is referred to as "Deca dick" in gym slang, but would apply to any 19-NT based steroid.



One would assume that any anabolic steroid cycle would actually increase libido and erections, given that androgen levels are elevated. However, 19-NT is less androgenic than testosterone, despite binding well to the androgen receptors. Even more importantly, 19-NT does not convert to a more potent androgen under the influence of 5-A reductase, as does testosterone. In many tissues, including the prostate and hair follicles, testosterone is converted to a more potent androgen by the enzyme 5-A reductase. When the same enzyme system acts on 19-NT, the resulting steroid is actually less androgenic than 19-NT.18 This accounts for the popularity of Deca and other 19-NT steroids among men suffering from hair loss or prostate enlargement, as well as women.

Popularity Plus
Deca is commonly cycled for 10-16 weeks at a dose of 400- 800 mg/week.5 Most users stack Deca with an androgenic oral to accelerate the anabolic effect and avoid the onset of a decreased libido or impotence. Nandrolone cypionate is being used in a similar fashion, though some users are satisfied with shorter cycles of eight to 12 weeks and are using higher doses with the higher concentration present in Anabolic DN.



Nandrolone has been one of the most popular derivatives of testosterones ever developed. It is considered to be well tolerated, giving moderate strength and mass gains with a low risk of side effects. In its most popular form, nandrolone decanoate (Deca durabolin) has earned a loyal following among bodybuilders.



Though Deca has a slow onset and does not provide outstanding gains in single drug cycles, it's mild enough to use in longer cycles and stacks extremely well with more androgenic steroids. Even to this date, one of the most popular cycles remains the tried and true "Deca and D-bol" stack. The downsides to Deca include its slow onset and the prolonged delay in clearing the drug, both in terms of drug detection and restoring natural testosterone production. By supplying nandrolone (19-NT) as the cypionate ester, a faster onset of action can be achieved and a quicker clearance after the cycle ends. Additionally, by using a shorter ester chain, each dose will be slightly more potent, as the nandrolone component will account for a greater percentage of the molecular weight.



Nandrolone cypionate is currently circulating as the SYD GROUP product Anabolic DN. Though this drug will offer the same benefits as Deca, in a slightly more advantageous form, the same precautions and warnings should be heeded. Side effects can occur with Anabolic DN such as are seen with Deca, though these side effects may be expected to occur slightly more frequently as the peak dose will be higher after each injection. The drug is distributed through the black market, though the inclusion of a hologram on the bottle and the public listing of batch numbers and expiration dates does offer some protection to potential buyers. Anabolic DN is a controlled substance as defined by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; thus, the sale or possession of this steroid is a federal felony.

References

  1. Catlin DH, Ahrens BD, et al. Detection of norbolethone, an anabolic steroid never marketed, in athletes' urine. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom, 2002;16(13):1273-5.
  2. Catlin DH, Sekera MH, et al. Tetrahydrogestrinone: discovery, synthesis, and detection in urine. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom, 2004;18(12):1245-9.
  3. SYD Group S.A. de C.V. Product Name: Anabolic DN Injection. Available on http://www.veterinaria.com/mx accessed February 3, 2005.
  4. Controlled Substances Act. United States Code Service - 21 USCS Section 802. Lawyers Cooperative Publishing;1996.
  5. Llewellyn W. Deca-durabolin (nandrolone decanoate). Anabolics 2004. Molecular Nutrition Press, Jupiter, Fl;2004:88-91.
  6. Gooren LJ, Bunck MC. Androgen replacement therapy: present and future. Drugs, 2004;64(17):1861-91.
  7. Boyadjiev NP, Georgieva KN, et al. Reversible hypogonadism and azoospermia as a result of anabolic-androgenic steroid use in a bodybuilder with personality disorder. A case report. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 2000 Sep;40(3):271-4.
  8. Llewellyn W. Durabolin (nandrolone phenylpropionate). Anabolics 2004. Molecular Nutrition Press, Jupiter, FL;2004:99-100.
  9. Simpson ER, Mahendroo MS, et al. Aromatase cytochrome p450, the enzyme responsible for estrogen biosynthesis. Endocr Rev, 1994;15:342-55.
  10. Dintinger T, Gaillard JL, et al. Androgen and 19-norandrogen aromatization by equine and human placental microsomes. J Steroid Biochem, 1989 Nov;33(5):949-54.
  11. Braunstein GD. Aromatase and gynecomastia. Endocr Relat Cancer, 1999 Jun;6(2):315-24.
  12. Auvray P, Nativelle C, et al. Study of substrate specificity of human aromatase by site directed mutagenesis. Eur J Biochem, 2002;269:1393-1405.
  13. Reznik Y, Dehennin L, et al. Urinary nandrolone metabolites of endogenous origin in man: a confirmation by output regulation under human chorionic gonadotrophin stimulation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2001;86:146-50.
  14. Gaillard JL, Silberzhan P. Aromatization of 19-norandrogens by equine testicular microsomes. J Biol Chem, 1987 Apr 25;262(12):5717-22.
  15. Thompson EA, Siiteri PK. Studies on the aromatization of C-19 androgens. Ann NY Acad Sci, 1973;212:378-91.
  16. Gual C, Morato T, et al. Biosynthesis of estrogens. Endocrinology, 1962;71:920-5.
  17. Beri R, Kumar N, et al. Estrogenic and progestational activity of 7alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone, a synthetic androgen. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 1998 Nov;67(3):275-83.
  18. Sundaram K, Kumar N, et al. Different patterns of metabolism determine the relative anabolic activity of 19-norandrogens. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 1995 Jun;53(1-6):253-7.
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