TLDR Androgens increase muscle mass by promoting myoblast growth through ornithine decarboxylase.
The study found that ornithine decarboxylase 1 (Odc1) was regulated by the androgen receptor (AR) in skeletal muscle, with higher expression in adult male mice compared to females and younger males. Odc1 was essential for myoblast proliferation, as its inhibition reduced myoblast numbers, while overexpression increased them. AR deletion in mice led to decreased Odc1 expression, indicating direct regulation by AR. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) also upregulated Odc1 in human myoblasts, supporting its role in proliferation. These findings suggested that androgens, through AR, contributed to greater muscle mass in males and normal muscle development, with potential therapeutic implications for enhancing muscle mass in conditions like HIV, cancer cachexia, and sarcopenia. ODC was already a target for treating hirsutism, indicating the potential for developing ODC agonists to increase muscle mass without androgen side effects.
66 citations,
September 2008 in “Dermatologic therapy” The conclusion is that the best initial treatment for hirsutism is usually oral contraceptives, with the addition of antiandrogens or insulin sensitizers if needed, and topical eflornithine or laser treatments as supplementary options.
42 citations,
May 2007 in “Endocrinology and metabolism/American journal of physiology: endocrinology and metabolism” Testosterone can build muscle and bone without enlarging the prostate when a specific enzyme is blocked.
72 citations,
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2 citations,
June 2022 in “대한스포츠의학회지” Anabolic steroids boost muscle growth, SARMs increase muscle mass and bone density without side effects, and myostatin inhibitors block a protein that stops muscle growth, but each has potential risks.
3 citations,
June 2009 in “The journal of alternative and complementary medicine/Journal of alternative and complementary medicine” Green tea extract may help reduce excessive hair growth.
31 citations,
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124 citations,
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204 citations,
February 2000 in “Current Medicinal Chemistry” Antiandrogens like flutamide are effective in treating conditions like prostate cancer and hair loss, but there's a need for more potent versions. Understanding their structure can help develop better treatments.
