Characterisation of the pharmacological profile of desoxymethyltestosterone (Madol), a steroid misused for doping

Desoxymethyltestosterone (DMT), also known as Madol, is a steroid recently identified to be misused as a doping agent. Since, the knowledge of functions of this substance is rather limited, it was our aim to characterise the pharmacological profile of DMT and to identify potential adverse side effects. DMT was synthesised, its purity was confirmed and its biological activity was tested. The potency of Madol (DMT) to transactivate androgen receptor (AR) dependent reporter gene expression was two times lower as compared to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Receptor binding tests demonstrate that DMT binds with high selectivity to the AR, binding to the progesterone receptor (PR) was low. In vivo experiments in orchiectomised rats demonstrated that treatment with DMT resulted only in a stimulation of the weight of the levator ani muscle; the prostate and seminal vesicle weights remained unaffected. Like testosterone, administration of DMT resulted in a stimulation of IGF-1 and myostatin mRNA expression in the gastrocnemius muscle. In the prostate proliferation was stimulated by TP (testosteronepropionate), but remained unaffected by DMT. Remarkably, treatment with DMT, in contrast to TP, resulted in a significant increase of the heart weight. In the liver, DMT slightly stimulates the expression of the tyrosine aminotransferase gene (TAT). Our results demonstrate that DMT is a potent AR agonist with an anabolic activity. Besides the levator ani weight, DMT also modulates the gene expression in the musculus gastrocnemius. The observed stimulation of TAT expression in the liver and the significant increase of the heart weight after DMT treatment can be taken as an indication for side effects. Summarizing these data it is obvious that DMT is a powerful anabolic steroid with selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) like properties and some indications for toxic side effects. Therefore, there is a need for a strict control of a possible misuse.

Trapidil decreases the aggregation of platelets from heart transplant recipients ex vivo

Heart transplant recipients show platelet hyperaggregability, which may be related to the incidence of graft vasculopathy. We investigated whether trapidil can inhibit the aggregation of platelets from these patients. Platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation were determined in 18 heart transplant recipients and 12 healthy subjects. Additionally, platelet-rich plasma from the patients was incubated with trapidil or with saline, prior to measuring ADP-induced aggregation. The MPV was significantly greater in patients compared to controls (9.4+/-1.1 vs 8.5+/-0.7 fL; P=.01), and ADP-induced platelet aggregation was significantly increased in patients compared to controls (81.2%+/-13.1% vs 69.6%+/-16.2%; P=.04, respectively). The trapidil-treated samples showed significantly decreased platelet aggregation compared to the control samples (24.2%+/-12.6% vs 66.7%+/-11.7%; P<.001). Platelets from heart transplant recipients showed an increased MPV and increased ADP-induced aggregation. Trapidil effectively reduced the ADP-induced aggregation ex vivo.

Tetrahydrogestrinone is a potent but unselective binding steroid and affects glucocorticoid signalling in the liver

Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) is a steroid recently identified to be misused as doping agent. However, the knowledge on functions of this substance in humans or animal models is rather limited. Therefore, it was our aim to further characterize the pharmacological profile of THG and identify potential adverse side effects. THG was synthesized, the purity was confirmed and its biological activity was tested. The potency of THG to transactivate AR dependent reporter gene expression was two orders of magnitude lower compared to dihydrotestosterone. THG binds with high affinity but unselective to the androgen (AR), progesterone (PR), glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptor. Treatment of orchiectomised rats with THG resulted in a stimulation of prostate, seminal vesicle and levator ani muscle, indicating androgenic and anabolic properties. In the liver THG, in contrast to testosteronepropionate (TP), down regulates the expression of the GR dependent tyrosine aminotransferase gene (TAT). In summary, our results demonstrate that THG is not a specific AR agonist. THG exhibits a high binding affinity to all tested steroid hormone receptors and binds with highest affinity to the GR. Our in vivo data are indicative of an anabolic and androgenic potency of THG, but the repression of TAT demonstrates that THG also interferes with the glucocorticoid hormone system. Therefore, it is conceivable that an intake will result in adverse side effects.

17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androst-1-en-3-one (1-testosterone) is a potent androgen with anabolic properties

Since the begining of the year 2005, the use of steroid precursors (prohormones) is illegal in the United States; nevertheless, there is still an enormous abuse of such substances. One of the most frequently misused steroids, often declared to be a prohormone, is 1-testosterone (17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androst-1-en-3-one, 1-Testo). In this study, we have characterised molecular mechanisms of its action, determined its tissue specific androgenic and anabolic potency and investigated potential adverse effects. 1-Testo binds highly selective to the androgen receptor (AR) and has a high potency to stimulate AR dependent transactivation. In vivo an equimolar dose of 1-Testo has the same potency to stimulate the growth of the prostate, the seminal vesicles and the androgen sensitive levator ani muscle as the reference compound testosterone propionate (TP). Administration of 1-Testo, in contrast to TP, results in a significant increase of liver weight. Our results demonstrate that 1-Testo, even without being metabolised, is a very potent androgen. It binds selectively to the AR and transactivates AR dependent reporter genes. In vivo it has a high androgenic and anabolic potency and increases liver weight. In summary 1-Testo can be characterised as a typical anabolic steroid. It has to be assumed that consumption of this substance is associated with adverse side effects typical for this class of compounds. Therefore, a strict control of its ban is essential.

Short-term endurance training results in a muscle-specific decrease of myostatin mRNA content in the rat

AIM

Myostatin has been characterized as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth. To examine a probable function of myostatin during the adaptation of skeletal muscle in response to training, we analysed the effect of short-term endurance training on myostatin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mRNA contents in rat skeletal muscles. To assess the impact of the training stimulus, mRNA levels of metabolic genes were analysed simultaneously.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were trained for 5 days by swimming, while another group remained untrained. Myostatin, IGF-I, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), hexokinase II (HK II) and hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) mRNA levels were determined by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in gastrocnemius, vastus lateralis and soleus muscles. A time course experiment was conducted, in order to examine transient changes of myostatin mRNA contents in gastrocnemius 7 and 24 h after one-swimming session as well as 24 h after a 3-day swimming training.

RESULTS

No significant changes in IGF-I and GLUT4 mRNA levels were found in any of the muscles analysed. mRNA contents of myostatin were significantly reduced in gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis but not in soleus. In agreement to this pattern, we found significantly higher mRNA levels of HK II and HAD in the trained group. The time course experiment revealed significantly reduced myostatin mRNA contents in gastrocnemius 7 but not 24 h post-exercise. The 3-day swimming training resulted also in significantly lower myostatin mRNA levels in the trained group.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that short-term endurance training may modulate myostatin mRNA levels, implying a probable role of myostatin in remodelling of skeletal muscle in response to training.

Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) by indirubin derivatives in human tumour cells

The bisindole indirubin has been described, more than 30 years ago, as being clinically active in the treatment of human chronic myelocytic leukaemia. However, the underlying mechanism of action has remained unclear. We have reported previously that indirubin and its analogues are potent and selective inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK). In this study, we investigated the influence of indirubin and derivatives on CDK1/cyclin B kinase in human tumour cells at concentrations known to induce growth inhibition. Cells of the mammary carcinoma cell line MCF-7, synchronized by serum deprivation, after serum repletion stay arrested in the G(1)/G(0)phase of the cell cycle in the presence of 2 microM indirubin-3'-monoxime. At higher drug concentrations (> or = 5 microM) an increase of the cell population in the G(2)/M phase is additionally observed. Cells synchronized in G(2)/M phase by nocodazole remain arrested in the G(2)/M phase after release, in the presence of indirubin-3'-monoxime (> or =5 microM). After 24 h treatment with 10 microM indirubin-3'-monoxime a sub-G(2)peak appears, indicative for the onset of apoptotic cell death. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with growth inhibitory concentrations of indirubin-3'-monoxime induces dose-dependent inhibition of the CDK1 activity in the cell. After 24 h treatment, a strong decrease of the CDK1 protein level along with a reduction of cyclin B in complex with CDK1 is observed. Taken together, the results of this study strongly suggest that inhibition of CDK activity in human tumour cells is a major mechanism by which indirubin derivatives exert their potent antitumour efficacy.