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Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "
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26.09.2011 |
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Why raloxifene is safer than tamoxifen
When used over long periods, tamoxifen, the active ingredient in the anti-oestrogen Nolvadex, can increase the risk of estradiol-related cancer. This is because it boosts the conversion of estradiol into potentially carcinogenic metabolites, write researchers from the University of Texas in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. It's a near relative raloxifene – the active ingredient in Eli Lilly's Evista – actually lowers the risk of cancer, according to the American study.
No studies have been done of the health risks tamoxifen may pose to chemical athletes. Some take tamoxifen to prevent the feminising effect of the steroids they take, or to normalise their own body's testosterone production after having taken a course of steroids. A small group also uses nolvadex between steroids courses because the anti-oestrogen makes it easier to maintain a low fat percentage. Doctors occasionally issue warnings about the dangerous effects of long term tamoxifen use for female bodybuilders, because of its resemblance to DES hormone.
By the way: women who have survived breast cancer treatment still have an increased likelihood of survival if they take tamoxifen. The increased risk of endometrial cancer developing is negligible in comparison with the reduced chance of the breast cancer recurring.
Tamoxifen works in two ways. The first is that the molecule attaches itself to the estradiol receptor and then sabotages the receptor. The second is that tamoxifen stimulates the production of enzymes that convert estradiol into less active analogues. And it's in this latter mechanism where the problems lie. Through this tamoxifen boosts the concentration of 4-hydroxy and 16-hydroxy analogues of estradiol. They can attach themselves to the DNA – forming DNA adducts – and in this way damage the genetic material. If a cell cannot repair the damage, it can change into a cancer cell.
Below from left to right you see 16-hydroxy-estrone [risky], 2-hydroxy-estrone [not risky] en 4-hydroxy-estrone [risky].
The Americans confirmed this theory in their in-vitro study. They exposed human endometrium cells to estradiol [E2], estradiol and tamoxifen [Tam], and estradiol and raloxifene [Ral]. The combination of estradiol and tamoxifen did indeed result in an increased number of risky estradiol metabolites. The figure below, for example, shows that the ratio of 2-hydroxy-estrone (harmless) to 16-hydroxy-estrone (dangerous) decreases.
When the researchers analysed the cells' DNA they noticed that the estradiol-tamoxifen combination [structural formula shown below] had led to an increase in the number of DNA adducts.
The figure above suggests that tamoxifen boosts the synthesis of the enzyme CYP1B1 and reduces the synthesis of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase COMT. CYP1B1 converts estradiol into dangerous steroids; COMT helps cells to deactivate dangerous estradiol metabolites.
The effect is so subtle that short-term use of tamoxifen probably has no great consequences. But for health-conscious chemical athletes, who want to use an anti-oestrogen for longer periods, it could well be a reason to choose something other than tamoxifen.
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