Pre-Clinical SARMS

SARMS (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) have become a topic of significant interest due to their anabolic yet seemingly side effect friendly nature. There are three SARMS that have been developed that are sold pharmaceutically or in what is known as the gray chemical research market. These three SARMS include:

• S4 (Andarine)
• LGD-4033
• MK 2866

The medication GW-501516 is also at times thrown into the SARM category; however, GW-501516 is not a SARM but officially a Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Agonist (PPAR).

There are six SARMS that are still in pre-clinical stages. It is unknown how long before research is complete or if it is discontinued. These six SARMS are rarely found in any market and there is very limited information available on their effects both positive and negative. The six pre-clinical SARMS include:

The six pre-clinical SARMS, what is known about them does lend to significant possibilities. As with all SARMS the six pre-clinical SARMS are designed to attach to the androgen receptors without promoting significant activity that’s generally viewed as negative on the secondary sex organs. They function by altering the gene expression through a binding at the androgen receptors. What this means is the target areas of function for these SARMS is primarily that of muscle and bone and only muscle and bone, which is not the case with anabolic androgenic steroids.

The six pre-clinical SARMS have shown promise in many areas of treatment, which may also be beneficial to the performance enhancing athlete. This will especially hold true if side effects are relatively limited as have been with the existing SARMS already on the market. The positive benefits intended as well as some that have been unintended yet of a positive nature include:

• Anabolism - promotion and growth of lean muscle tissue and mass. This is extremely important for the individual suffering from a muscle wasting disease. It is the muscle wasting that at times can lead to the demise of the patient even before the disease itself.
   
• Increases in strength - again, excellent for those suffering from muscle wasting diseases.
   
• Increased bone density and strength - highly beneficial to the osteoporosis patient. SARMS may prove to be one of if not the most effective osteoporosis treatments available, although official data is still inconclusive.
   
• Fat Loss - medications with strong androgen binding affinity have been shown to promote lipolysis. How significant these six SARMS are in this regard is inconclusive.
   
• Low to No Virilization - this is highly important to women. Many compounds (anabolic androgenic steroids) while the same benefits of anabolic steroids can apply to women as they do men, there is often the issue of virilization. Virilization refers to the promotion of masculine like traits in women, i.e. body hair growth, a deepening of the vocal chords and clitoral enlargement. SARMS have been shown to NOT promote virilization symptoms in women. Existing data supports that the pre-clinical SARMS should be no different, although again at this stage is not fully conclusive.
   
• Increased Libido (Females) - preliminary data, especially in regards to AC-262,356 has shown the SARM may increase female libido significantly.
   
• Contraceptive (Males) - preliminary data, especially in regards to S-23 has shown the SARM may be an effective male contraceptive.
   
• Endurance & Conditioning - All of the pre-clinical SARMS should have a level of positive effect on muscular endurance as well as overall physical conditioning. The level of effectiveness in such regards is dependent on the SARM in question and data is still inconclusive to quantify the total effects.
   
• Nutrient Efficiency - All of the pre-clinical SARMS should have a positive impact on nutrient efficiency to one degree or another. This refers to the ability of the body to make better use of the nutrients it consumes.
   
• Estrogen and DHT - The pre-clinical SARMS should not aromatize, referring to the promotion of the testosterone to estrogen conversion. However, some increases in serum estrogen levels may be possible depending on the SARM. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) related side effects (hair loss, acne) are also not possible with these SARMS. There should also be little to no negative affect on the prostate; in fact, data shows potential prostate health improvement.

It’s not difficult to see how potentially beneficial these pre-clinical SARMS may be in a therapeutic or medical setting. It’s also fairly easy to see how they may be beneficial to the athlete, even more so when you consider the possibility of little to no side effects of consequence. However, because of the stage of research, full side effect potential is not fully understood. You may find some information from direct user experience on internet message boards, but most of this will be opinion with little factual data to back it up.

If you are attempting to buy any of the pre-clinical SARMS you will find it’s not all that easy. Many research chemical companies sell SARMS but S4, LGD-4033 and MK 2866 will be what are commonly found. You will not find an abundant market of the pre-clinical versions until if and when GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), GTx and Ligand Pharmaceuticals complete further studies; the three representing the primary researchers and developers of SARMS and related medications with GTx being perhaps the most advanced. Buyers should beware if they come across pre-clinical SARM purchases online. While such purchases are possible, they are not common and will generally be fake.