Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects. Anabolic Pharmacology is the study of
drugs that have a growth-promoting effect in muscle. This column will explore Anabolic
Pharmacology by profiling a different anabolic drug and its effects each month. The focus of
discussion this month will be the anabolic androgenic steroid, Trenbolone.
Trenbolone is a derivative of nandrolone, in that it lacks the methyl group at position 19.
Trenbolone binds strongly to both the androgen receptor and the progesterone receptor. 1 This
strong binding likely makes trenbolone an agonist of the progesterone receptor. Though people
generally believe progesterone agonists cause gynecomastia, progesterone agonists actually
result in the downregulation of estrogen receptors. This strong progesterone receptor binding is
also believed to be the source of the severe shutdown and loss of libido in a good portion of
trenbolone users. As mentioned, trenbolone binds strongly to the androgen receptor (stronger
than any commercially available androgen) and is not metabolized to 3-alpha metabolites in
skeletal muscle delivering rapid strength and size gains.
2
This is exactly the same thing that is seen with nandrolone, and since trenbolone is also a
19-nor steroid, it is reasonable to assume, based on this evidence, that trenbolone is in fact
5-alpha reduced to less potent metabolites. This would also partly explain the reports of
gynecomastia, as well as the shutdowns that are seen with trenbolone, even though it does not
convert to estrogen. The decreased androgenic stimulation as a result of the production of less
potent 5-alpha reduced androgens upsets the androgen-to-estrogen balance that results in
greater net estrogenic signaling in the breast and hypothalamus.
The main problem with trenbolone is that it is very difficult (if not impossible) to find in a
preparation that is made for human consumption. Trenbolone used to be available as
Parabolan, but if it is made anymore (which no one seems to be in agreement about) it is not
readily available. Most of the tren that is currently available on the black market is made from
cattle implants called Finaplix ® . Several underground labs have created injectable versions of
this drug by dissolving the pellets in a solvent and bottling the solution. Kits are also available
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Trenbolone Anabolic Pharmacology By Seth Roberts
through many sources that allow a person to make their own injectable at home from the
pellets.
The problem with these underground versions and homemade concoctions is that they are not
produced in a sterile fashion. This can lead to abscess, sepsis, and even anaphylactic shock,
followed by death. Also, the solvents used to dissolve the pellets are not meant to be injected
and can cause the same problems with the additional possibility of poisoning.
Trenbolone is a very potent anabolic that can produce dramatic increases in weight and
strength, especially when combined with other anabolics. Along with this potency comes the
likelihood for androgenic side effects such as high blood pressure, acne and hair loss among
others. This steroid also has a reputation for being toxic to the kidneys. There is no direct
evidence for this side effect in the scientific literature but since the kidneys do respond to
androgenic stimulation and trenbolone can cause hypertension, which can also damage the
kidneys, care should be taken.
References:
1. 233. Ojasoo T, Delettre J, Mornon JP, Turpin-VanDycke C, Raynaud JP: Towards the
mapping of the progesterone and androgen receptors. J Steroid Biochem, 1987:27(1-3):255-69.
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Trenbolone Anabolic Pharmacology By Seth Roberts
3. 286. Jones SJ, Johnson RD, Calkins CR, Dikeman ME: Effects of trenbolone acetate on
carcass characteristics and serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations in bulls and steers
on different management and implant schemes. J Anim Sci, 1991:69(4):1363-9.
4. 287. Wilson VS, Lambright C, Ostby J, Gray LE Jr: In vitro and in vivo effects of
17beta-trenbolone: a feedlot effluent contaminant. Toxicol Sci, 2002:70(2):202-11.
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