Written by Jose Antonio
05 October 2006
 

Anabolic Edge

By Jose Antonio, PhD

 

Bet You Didn't Know...

            THG: No Estrogenic Effect

There's a reason why THG was used by athletes. Though some consider it the first designer steroid (aren't all steroids designer by nature?), THG exhibits potent androgenic activity and therefore, may promote ergogenic effects in athletes. THG, made famous by the Balco scandal, is a steroid that looks structurally like trenbolone, a veterinary steroid. Using in vitro bioassay, the investigators examined the biologic interactions of THG with the human androgen receptor (AR), progesterone receptor (PR) and estrogen receptor (ER). THG agonist activity in the AR bioassay was compared with that of gestrinone, its parent compound, the structurally similar steroid trenbolone, and nandrolone, used as a positive androgen control. THG strongly activated AR transactivation when compared with the other steroids. THG also exhibited progestin activity greater than progesterone. On the other hand, gestrinone and trenbolone had less progestin activity than progesterone. No ER agonist or antagonist activity was observed. None of the steroids caused cellular toxicity.  Thus, you could conclude that THG is a strong androgen and progestin with no estrogenic effects.1

 

            T and Stroke

            Testosterone replacement therapy may help stroke victims during recovery. OK, so it's in rats. But still, it's promising research. So, next time your pet hamster has a stroke, stick a 28-gauge needle in its hamster ass and give it a shot of Deca. (I'm joking). Scientists found testosterone's possible benefits in a study conducted on castrated rats that had suffered strokes. I'll tell you what- if I were castrated, I'd probably have a stroke, too! During recovery, half   the rats received testosterone and half received a placebo. The rats receiving the testosterone showed significant improvements in neural function versus the rats that got placebo. The moral of the story:  T is good.2

 

 

Big Muscles and Myostatin

            Twenty-two untrained males were randomly assigned to a placebo group (PLC) or myostatin binder group (MYO that contained cystoseira canariensis) in a double-blind fashion. Blood was obtained before and after six and 12 weeks of training. The PLC and MYO groups trained three times per week using three sets of six to eight repetitions at 85 to 90 percent of one repetition maximum. MYO ingested 1,200 milligrams per day of cystoseira canariensis. After training, total body mass, fat-free mass, muscle strength, thigh volume/mass and serum myostatin increased for both groups, but there was no difference between groups. So, does this stuff not work? According to the dosages used in this study (and the treatment duration), no. Is it possible higher doses and longer treatment periods might be better? Perhaps.3  

 

Bitch Tits

We all know that too much T results in big TiTTies. Guys usually don't like getting big ol' boobies. Anyhow, a case study reported a young weight-trainer who developed gynaecomastia due to oral intake of an herbal tablet containing tribulus, which he used as a steroid alternative for bodybuilding.4   Apparently, the authors think it was the "trib" that caused his boob growth.  Haha... morons; maybe they shoulda checked the needle marks on his ass.

 

12-Ounce Curls

            If you're drinking beer while reading this fascinating column, you better put it down; that is, if you're interested in getting huuuge. According to cell biologists, protein synthesis rates are diminished after chronic alcohol consumption through changes in both mRNA translation initiation and elongation. How long this inhibition lasts isn't entirely known. Thus, scientists examined the effect of removal of alcohol from the diet of rats for 72 hours after chronic alcohol exposure (16 weeks) on rates of protein synthesis and potential mechanisms for controlling mRNA translation in heart, skeletal muscle and liver. They found that alcohol withdrawal from the diet restored protein synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle to values obtained in pair-fed control rats not exposed to alcohol. "These studies indicate that changes in protein metabolism observed during chronic alcohol intake are reversible and do not, at this stage, represent an irreversible change in cardiac or skeletal muscle." 5 Now, this study was basically done in alcoholic rats. What effect would there be if you were a once-a-day beer or wine drinker? If you're a pro athlete, would it be smart to just skip the spirits all together? 

 

Leu Improves Mitochondrial and Sarcoplasmic Protein

            Leucine is turning out to be the anabolic amino acid. It has a major anabolic impact on muscle protein synthesis in young and old animals. In fact, in adult and old rats, leucine stimulates mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic protein synthesis, but not myosin heavy chain synthesis in old rats. In conclusion, "Synthesis of specific muscle protein is activated by leucine supplementation, but MHC may be less sensitive to anabolic factors with aging."6 Remember that muscle protein can be divided into a contractile component (e.g., myosin and actin) and a non-contractile component (i.e., everything else, such as the sarcoplasm and organelles). Leucine takes care of the non-contractile component apparently. What about the contractile component? Lift weights and take creatine (or T).7

 

Gene Doping

Scientists are close to being ready to run clinical trials on medicines that alter gene production (genetic manipulation; gene therapy) with the hopeful result of bigger, stronger muscles. The researchers are focusing on using insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) as a mode to enhance muscles. IGF-1 is a hormone in the growth hormone family that's responsible for muscular growth (and many other functions). In fact, many people consider IGF-1 to be the active growth hormone in the body. You can inject IGF-1 (in a fashion similar to receiving vitamin injections or a shot of cortisone). However, when IGF-1 is injected, it doesn't have long-lasting action in the body (its half-life is short).  Since the IGF-1 itself is short-acting and difficult to deliver to just the muscles you want to enhance, scientists needed an alternative delivery system. This alternative system (think fuel cell cars versus gasoline powered vehicles) believe it or not (and do not be scared) is a virus. Yup, using a deadened virus (known as a adeno-associated virus) to act as a Trojan horse, the IGF-1 is delivered directly to human muscles and welcomed with huge open arms, much the way Anna Nicole Smith used to welcome candy bars and pizza. The University of Pennsylvania scientists who developed this AAV-IGF-1 therapy first started out by testing it in young mice. The mice responded by growing muscles that were about 30 percent larger than what they normally would be. To further test if the manipulation of localized IGF-1 levels in the muscle was the answer, this research group bred mice that over-produced IGF-1 only in their skeletal muscles. The result was mice with 50 percent larger muscles. If you want to see this renowned scientist, come to the second annual International Society of Sports Nutrition conference. Dr. Lee Sweeney will fill you in on the latest in genetic manipulation of skeletal muscle.

 

References

1.         Death, A.K., et al., Tetrahydrogestrinone is a Potent Androgen and Progestin. Obstet Gynecol Surv, 2004. 59(10): p. 714-6.

2.         http://www.heartcenteronline.com/myheartdr/home/research-detail.cfm?reutersid=4746

3.         Willoughby, D.S., Effects of an alleged myostatin-binding supplement and heavy resistance training on serum myostatin, muscle strength and mass, and body composition. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab, 2004. 14(4): p. 461-72.

4.         Jameel, J.K., et al., Gynaecomastia and the plant product "Tribulis terrestris." Breast, 2004. 13(5): p. 428-30.

5.         Vary, T.C., A.C. Nairn, and C.H. Lang, Restoration of protein synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle after withdrawal of alcohol. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 2004. 28(4): p. 517-25.

6.         Guillet, C., et al., Mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic proteins, but not myosin heavy chain, are sensitive to leucine supplementation in old rat skeletal muscle. Exp Gerontol, 2004. 39(5): p. 745-51.

7.         Ventrucci, G., et al., Effects of a leucine-rich diet on body composition during nutritional recovery in rats. Nutrition, 2004. 20(2): p. 213-7.