Nelson Vergel
Founder, ExcelMale.com
With regards to the mechanisms of nandrolone inside the human body, understanding the pathway of testosterone action is important. In certain tissues, such as the prostate or in the hair follicles, testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 5 alpha-reductase (5AR). High levels of 5AR activity are present in androgenic tissues from the prostate but are undetectable in skeletal muscle (15). As such, in skeletal muscle, testosterone directly binds androgen receptors contributing to muscle growth. However, in prostatic tissues and hair follicles, testosterone is converted to DHT by 5AR and is thus responsible for the known side effects of testosterone supplementation therapy (TST) on prostate growth and alopecia (15).
5AR can also act on nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) to produce 5α-dihydro-19-nortestosterone (15). This reduced form of nandrolone has a significantly decreased binding affinity for the androgen receptor compared to its parent steroid, testosterone (15). As such, the 5AR conversion of nandrolone to 5α-dihydro-19-nortestosterone in prostatic tissues results in a significantly decreased ability of nandrolone to bind androgen receptors. Theoretically, the end result could be a decrease in prostatic growth with a possible and theoretical effect on lower urinary tract symptoms such as those developed as a result of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A potential decrease in the rates of alopecia could also be observed . Furthermore, the lack of 5AR in skeletal muscle allows nandrolone to bind strongly to androgen receptors in the muscle and stimulate growth, contributing to its high myotrophic:androgenic ratio (15).
Nandrolone and joint healing
Recent studies in animal models have identified a potential role for nandrolone in joint pain, particularly post rotator cuff tears (31,32). In one such study by Gerberet al. (31), 20 New Zealand white rabbits had their supraspinatus tendon released with musculotendinous retraction and observed over 6 weeks. Rabbits were organized into groups treated with placebo as well as local and systemic administration of nandrolone (31). Nandrolone, given in the phase after tendon release, was found to inhibit fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus muscle and reduced functional impairment of the rotator cuff (31).
An earlier 2010 study by Papaspiliopoulos et al. (32) examined 48 male rabbits that underwent rotator cuff incision and reconstruction after stratification into groups based on local nandrolone administration and immobilization. In this study, local administration of nandrolone proved detrimental to wound healing however, systemic administration was not studied (32). Other limitations include the fact that anabolic steroids affect the tensile strength of tendons that may then cause failure with less elongation (33). Local administration of nandrolone may impair the healing of acute tendon injuries and the perceived benefits to retracted muscle may be outweighed by its effects on tendon healing (34).
Interestingly, Internet and discussion group anecdotal data suggests that nandrolone is effective in decreasing joint pain in bodybuilders. These athletes lift large amounts of weights putting extreme pressure on their joints while reporting improvement and lowered pain with the use of nandrolone. While limited data is available, and dosages are unknown, further investigations are needed to determine the effects of nandrolone on joints in general, and the rotator cuff in particular.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4837307/
5AR can also act on nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) to produce 5α-dihydro-19-nortestosterone (15). This reduced form of nandrolone has a significantly decreased binding affinity for the androgen receptor compared to its parent steroid, testosterone (15). As such, the 5AR conversion of nandrolone to 5α-dihydro-19-nortestosterone in prostatic tissues results in a significantly decreased ability of nandrolone to bind androgen receptors. Theoretically, the end result could be a decrease in prostatic growth with a possible and theoretical effect on lower urinary tract symptoms such as those developed as a result of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A potential decrease in the rates of alopecia could also be observed . Furthermore, the lack of 5AR in skeletal muscle allows nandrolone to bind strongly to androgen receptors in the muscle and stimulate growth, contributing to its high myotrophic:androgenic ratio (15).
Nandrolone and joint healing
Recent studies in animal models have identified a potential role for nandrolone in joint pain, particularly post rotator cuff tears (31,32). In one such study by Gerberet al. (31), 20 New Zealand white rabbits had their supraspinatus tendon released with musculotendinous retraction and observed over 6 weeks. Rabbits were organized into groups treated with placebo as well as local and systemic administration of nandrolone (31). Nandrolone, given in the phase after tendon release, was found to inhibit fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus muscle and reduced functional impairment of the rotator cuff (31).
An earlier 2010 study by Papaspiliopoulos et al. (32) examined 48 male rabbits that underwent rotator cuff incision and reconstruction after stratification into groups based on local nandrolone administration and immobilization. In this study, local administration of nandrolone proved detrimental to wound healing however, systemic administration was not studied (32). Other limitations include the fact that anabolic steroids affect the tensile strength of tendons that may then cause failure with less elongation (33). Local administration of nandrolone may impair the healing of acute tendon injuries and the perceived benefits to retracted muscle may be outweighed by its effects on tendon healing (34).
Interestingly, Internet and discussion group anecdotal data suggests that nandrolone is effective in decreasing joint pain in bodybuilders. These athletes lift large amounts of weights putting extreme pressure on their joints while reporting improvement and lowered pain with the use of nandrolone. While limited data is available, and dosages are unknown, further investigations are needed to determine the effects of nandrolone on joints in general, and the rotator cuff in particular.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4837307/
