Submitted by [deleted] t3_ysj8gc in askscience
morebass t1_iw176l0 wrote
Reply to comment by teatimewithbatman1 in Do all steroid hormones increase blood glucose and cause diabetes? by [deleted]
That was essentially the premise behind the development of SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators) but in trials they never quite panned out, and negative effects were still apparent (dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, elevated liver enzymes, suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, etc...) So right now it doesn't seem possible in practice with available drugs.
RazedByTV t1_iw377a0 wrote
Since you seem knowledgeable, is there a benefit (theoretical or practical) to a SARM over an Aromatase Inhibitor? Or a downside to an AI such as anastrazole, etc?
morebass t1_iw3era2 wrote
Do you mean a SERM? An aromatase inhibitor will effectively lower the body's estrogen by preventing androgens from being converted to estrogen via the aromatase enzyme. A SARM binds to and activates specific androgen receptors, to mimic the positive effects of something like testosterone, without the negatives (in theory but not in practice)
RazedByTV t1_iw42obg wrote
No, but somewhat similar end result if you use a SERM like enclomiphene (with one exception of estradiol levels being different). An aromatase inhibitor will cause testosterone levels to rise, and an excessive amount of inhibitor will tank estrogen levels if aromatase is inhibited too much. So it sounds like ideally, the SARM would avoid the negatives associated with increasing endogenous testosterone.
Edit for clarity: Lowering the (male) body's estrogen causes production of more testosterone, as the body uses estrogen level to determine how much testosterone to produce. Reduce conversion of testosterone using aromatase inhibitor, body has lower estrogen, and makes more testosterone. Trick body into thinking there is less estrogen using SERM, body makes more testosterone, and you end up with somewhat elevated estrogen.
morebass t1_iw4akmu wrote
I see, to answer your previous question, a SARM will decrease your body's ability to produce testosterone on its own as well as having the deleterious effects of high androgen levels, and since it is metabolized by the liver, effect hepatic function...
An AI lowers circulating estrogen which may boost "natural" testosterone (causing the same effects from higher androgen levels) as well as the negative effects of aromatase inhibitors in general (vision and hepatic involvement). Estrogen also serves to counteract some problems caused by high androgens, so lowering estrogen in order to increase testosterone may negatively effect blood pressure, cholesterol, lipids, joint health, electrolyte balance.
HarbingerDread t1_iw1yds7 wrote
Really makes you wonder how much steroids could advance if they were legalized and made available in the free market. Creating a legitimate marketplace and competition for steroid development could change the world as we know it. We've probably only skimmed the surface of what can really be accomplished with steroids because the potential for legitimate profit is almost non-existant.
SippyTurtle t1_iw3ox1r wrote
I'm assuming you mean legal in the sports world in which I would disagree. People would maximize the short term boosting effects to get the wins and disregard long term detriment.
HarbingerDread t1_iw3paf6 wrote
No. I meant legal to purchase and use for everyone. Steroids are still classified as narcotics virtually everywhere and are only dangerous because there is no incentive to make better and safer steroids because of their limited marketability and prescription.
Otherwise-Way-1176 t1_iw8s2e6 wrote
Rockets have been legal for a while, and they’re still quite risky.
When talking about a complex system we don’t fully understand - that is, the human body - the belief that if only we tweaked the incentives of pharmaceutical companies a teeny bit then we’d have side effect free drugs is ludicrous.
HarbingerDread t1_iw9st6b wrote
Rockets? Red rockets? If you're talking about the same thing I'm talking about, they're not steroids. Red rockets are a cutting drug and are only legal in some countries, Canada not being one of them. Not sure about American legality.
[deleted] OP t1_iw26jo0 wrote
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[deleted] OP t1_iw32ycq wrote
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