RUNNINGHEAD: ANABOLIC STEROID

HOW DOES THE BODY REACT TO ANABOLIC STEROIDS

How Does the Body React To Anabolic Steroids?

Introduction

Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances dependent upon male sex hormones (androgens). These hormones are behind the promotion of muscle growth (anabolic effect) and growth of male sexual characteristics.

Anabolic steroids were introduced in the late 1930s primarily to treat hypogonadism, which indeed is a condition when the testes do not generate enough testosterone to certify growth, improvement and usual sexual function of the individual. Later in 1930's scientists discovered that such steroids also facilitated the expansion of muscles in laboratory animals, which led to the use of such materials by athletes of almost every sport (Assael, 2007, pp. 75-111).

Anabolic steroids, which are even referred as anabolic androgenic steroids, belong to the group of ergogenic drugs. These drugs are also known as the performance drugs. These drugs are synthetically derived from testosterone, which is a natural male hormone. "Anabolic" in general terms means "builder" or "manufacturer". In contrast to that, "androgenic" means "masculinising" or something related masculinity, i.e. providing male sex features to someone. Steroids that are derived from male hormones can be regarded, as anabolic steroids that are a group within these hormonal drugs. In the most usual cases, a healthy man is able to produce around 2 and 10 milligrams of testosterone per day. Anabolic hormones assist the body in absorbing proteins, and lead to the development of muscle, bone and skin (Villee & Engel, 1961, pp. 39-61).

Discussion

Passive Diffusion and Steroid Receptor

Hydrophobic steroid hormones get into cells through bloodstream readily via passive diffusion transversely the membrane. Nevertheless, the steroid hormones are able to enter all cells, but the primary cells that can response to steroid hormones are cells that include proteins called steroid hormone receptors. These receptors either inhabit in a stationary situation in the cytoplasm or have their presence in the cell nucleus. There are specific hormone receptors for each of the hormone types that include estrogens, androgen, progesterone, glucocorticoid, and mineral corticoid (Makin, 1984, pp. 11-46).

How the Steroid Receptor Complex Binds With Certain Parts of the DNA To Activate Genes In Order To Start Protein Synthesis

The steroid receptor is a protein of the super family of nuclear receptors, family of steroid receptors, linking the natural cortisol, which is the main glucocorticoid or steroid hormone in the body. Exons encode a protein in humans of 778 amino acids with a molecular mass of 90 KDA. The glucocorticoid receptor, like all steroid receptor, is composed of six functional areas:

Areas A and B (or N-terminal domains), which have a role in initiating and regulating transcription of target genes. The C (or DBD), ensuring the DNA-binding structures via zinc finger. It also has a role in dimerization of the receptor, and its intracellular trafficking. The D domain or hinge region links functional domains N-terminal and DBD in the field of hormone binding. It also plays a role in addressing the GR in the nucleus. Areas E and F or ligand binding domain mainly provides recognition and ...