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Anabolic Research Update May 2002 |
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Written by Bryan Haycock, MS
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Monday, 06 May 2002 |
Catch this Virus and You’ll be Growing in No Time!Title: Expression of the human androgen receptor in eukaryotic cells using a recombinant adenovirus vector yields high levels of the soluble, functional receptor protein.Researchers: Zoppi S, Allman DR, Gerard RD, McPhaul MJ.
Source: Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 2001 Dec;27(3):321-8 Research SummaryThe androgen receptor (AR) and closely related members of the steroid receptor family have proven difficult to obtain in native form in large quantities. In the case of the human AR (hAR), high-level expression in prokaryotic or non-mammalian cells leads to the synthesis of a high proportion of non-binding, insoluble, or degraded forms of the receptor protein. To circumvent these difficulties, we have constructed a recombinant adenovirus that directs the expression of hAR under the control of a potent, constitutive promoter. Infection of eukaryotic cells with this recombinant virus leads to the synthesis of large quantities of the intact AR. In contrast to expression methods designed to direct the full-length AR in bacteria, yeast, and insect cells, AR expressed in mammalian cells using this adenoviral vector accumulates at high levels, retains many properties of the native AR, and is not rapidly proteolyzed. This method will prove useful for large-scale preparations of hAR for use in functional and structural studies. Discussion What these researchers did was to modify a virus (adenovirus) by taking out its original mRNA and replace it with mRNA for the androgen (testosterone) receptor (AR). Up to this point, it has been difficult to get mammalian cells to make viable working ARs in large quantities. Now, by using an engineered virus, researchers can “infect” a cell with mRNA for the human androgen receptor.Researchers have also been able to do this with IGF-1 mRNA.1 Infection of mice with this IGF-1 adenovirus leads to not only muscle growth, but complete inhibition of age-associated muscle loss. Just think, die when you’re 80 years old and have a body of a 25-year old!I find this kind of technology interesting because of the possibilities. With viral mediated genetic engineering you can change the genes of an “adult.” You literally use the virus as a microscopic syringe and inject the genes you want right into the cell. In this case, you could increase the number of androgen receptors in muscle cells. Add to that the ability to increase expression of IGF-1 “within” the cell itself, and you have some serious genetic modification.In essence, you can increase the level of any protein that you might want. It could be a hormone androgen receptor or even an enzyme. With all the hubbub about myostatin binders, you could even have muscle cells produce proteins that would effectively block myostatin from working at all.2 It’s all very exciting as science turns what was once science fiction into reality. References1. Elisabeth R. Barton‑Davis, Daria I. Shoturma, Antonio Musaro, Nadia Rosenthal, and H. Lee Sweeney. Viral mediated expression of insulin‑like growth factor I blocks the aging‑related loss of skeletal muscle function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1998 Dec 22;95(26):15603‑72. Thies RS, Chen T, Davies MV, Tomkinson KN, Pearson AA, Shakey QA, Wolfman NM. GDF-8 propeptide binds to GDF-8 and antagonizes biological activity by inhibiting GDF-8 receptor binding. Growth Factors. 2001;18(4):251-9.
Chew on This!Title: Masseteric hypertrophy associated with administration of anabolic steroids and unilateral mastication: a case report.Researchers: Skoura C, Mourouzis C, Saranteas T, Chatzigianni E, Tesseromatis C.
Source: Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2001 Nov;92(5):515-8 Research SummaryIn this report they present a patient with unilateral masseteric hypertrophy (one side of his jaw muscles grew) who used anabolic steroids and was chewing entirely unilaterally for one month. Computed tomography and histologic examination were used to confirm the diagnosis. The combined action of unilateral mastication and anabolic steroid use is probably responsible for the rapid development of unilateral masseteric hypertrophy. DiscussionOf all the side effects of using anabolics, I have never once heard that unilateral masseteric hypertrophy could occur. Incurable hiccups yes, but unlilateral masseteric hypertrophy? Seriously, what happened to this guy was that during a cycle, he only chewed on one side of his mouth. He probably had a bad tooth on the other side, or something. The result was that only one side of his jaw muscles grew. So what? Well, this can cause quite a few problems. For one, it pulls your jaw out of alignment, which can be quite painful. Unilateral masseteric hypertrophy can also cause your teeth to wear incorrectly as your jaw is pulled out of alignment and this, in turn, can give you potentially serious dental problems.The solution? If you are going to chew gum during a cycle, which a lot of guys do, just make sure you chew it on both sides. Most people have a dominant side that they chew on and they don’t get a lopsided jaw. However, put someone on a cycle of testosterone and everything grows better, including the old chew muscle.
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