Post by Max on Sept 6, 2005 16:27:29 GMT -5
Introduction for the beginner. Please see the other sections for references and more detailed information!
What is gene-expression?
(Ro)accutane influences gene-expression. Cells contain DNA that encode what characteristics a cell shall have, but the cells genes are also controlled by influence from among other things mRNA, which combined with the DNA instructs the cell. This is why steroids can change the characteristics of several body functions, because they influence mRNA, and thus gene-expression. (Ro)accutane, retinoic acid, is a form of vitamin A, and is classified as a steroid.
Hormones and their role
Unlike many other steroids that tend to increase hormonal levels, the high doses of vitamin A that (Ro)accutane contains is found to lower many different hormonal levels permanently. The doses of vitamin A in its chemical derivative form that (Ro)accutane contains and that are given to acne-subjects are up to 100 times higher than the daily recommended intake. The effect of lower hormonal levels can be said to be a slower metabolism, or lower energy utilization, cell division and conversion rates in the body. This is likely the reason as to why (Ro)accutane, except for currently in acne-subjects, is used for many cancers such as prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, glioblastoma (a form of brain cancer) and more.
Which hormones are affected?
The hormonal effects from (Ro)accutane are very wide. Measurments of acne-subjects that have received (Ro)accutane for several months have shown clearly lower levels of thyroid hormone, vitamin D (which also is a hormone), dihydrotestosterone (which is the most active form of testosterone). A relation between vitamin A levels and other hormones is also found, and these include growth hormone, insulin (which could be classified as a hormone), parathyroid hormone and other hormones. There is evidence indicating that acne-subjects that have taken (Ro)accutane are developing a serious vitamin A deficiency.
What does the actual hormonal activity depend on?
The hormonal activity in the human body and brain not only depend on the actual measured levels of hormones. It also depends on the capacity of transporting hormones, the capacity of metabolizing hormones to their most active forms, the capacity of the kidney to recycle the hormones, liver function, the capacity of the cells to take up the hormone, receptor expression and the sensitivity of these receptors. (Ro)accutane is found to influence all of these different factors. The effect is thus not only altered levels of circulating hormones, but also consists of other more complicated effects. Not all of the effects that (Ro)accutane has are known.
Receptor expression and sensitivity
(Ro)accutane is found to affect many different kinds of receptors distributed in nearly every single organ in the human body. The receptors are found in various parts of the cell. Some in the nucleus of the cell, like many of the hormonal receptors, and some receptors have other locations. The receptor couples to the hormone, and through a complicated process initiates gene-transcription.
In experimental cell lines, (Ro)accutane is found to suppress several of these receptors. This means that when the hormone reaches the cell, there are less receptors that are to respond to the hormone. This in turn may lead to a partial resistance of the hormone. Many factors are also indicating that (Ro)accutane through complex chemical interactions may change the affinity of the hormonal receptors, which means that the hormones bind less efficiently to them.
Why are homones so important?
Hormones control the renewal of cells. They control energy expenditure in the cell. They control conversion rates of fat. They are largely involved in the immune-system. They play a large role in the human brain. Hormones are also found to be involved in acne. Deficiencys of different hormones are likely to cause unwanted effects, also called side-effects, because their large role in many areas and many functions all over the body. Also, the levels of hormones are found to decline with age, so that a hormonal deficiency at an early age is likely to get worse over time.
Hormones and the brain
In the brain receptors are found for several hormones that are affected by (Ro)accutane. These steroids in the brain are called neurosteroids. Vitamin A is found to be of major importance in the human brain, regulating among other things cell survival and renewal of cells. Neurosteroids are suggested to influence mood, sexual interest, energy levels, ability to concentrate, memory and many more functions, of which all not are known.
What is gene-expression?
(Ro)accutane influences gene-expression. Cells contain DNA that encode what characteristics a cell shall have, but the cells genes are also controlled by influence from among other things mRNA, which combined with the DNA instructs the cell. This is why steroids can change the characteristics of several body functions, because they influence mRNA, and thus gene-expression. (Ro)accutane, retinoic acid, is a form of vitamin A, and is classified as a steroid.
Hormones and their role
Unlike many other steroids that tend to increase hormonal levels, the high doses of vitamin A that (Ro)accutane contains is found to lower many different hormonal levels permanently. The doses of vitamin A in its chemical derivative form that (Ro)accutane contains and that are given to acne-subjects are up to 100 times higher than the daily recommended intake. The effect of lower hormonal levels can be said to be a slower metabolism, or lower energy utilization, cell division and conversion rates in the body. This is likely the reason as to why (Ro)accutane, except for currently in acne-subjects, is used for many cancers such as prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, glioblastoma (a form of brain cancer) and more.
Which hormones are affected?
The hormonal effects from (Ro)accutane are very wide. Measurments of acne-subjects that have received (Ro)accutane for several months have shown clearly lower levels of thyroid hormone, vitamin D (which also is a hormone), dihydrotestosterone (which is the most active form of testosterone). A relation between vitamin A levels and other hormones is also found, and these include growth hormone, insulin (which could be classified as a hormone), parathyroid hormone and other hormones. There is evidence indicating that acne-subjects that have taken (Ro)accutane are developing a serious vitamin A deficiency.
What does the actual hormonal activity depend on?
The hormonal activity in the human body and brain not only depend on the actual measured levels of hormones. It also depends on the capacity of transporting hormones, the capacity of metabolizing hormones to their most active forms, the capacity of the kidney to recycle the hormones, liver function, the capacity of the cells to take up the hormone, receptor expression and the sensitivity of these receptors. (Ro)accutane is found to influence all of these different factors. The effect is thus not only altered levels of circulating hormones, but also consists of other more complicated effects. Not all of the effects that (Ro)accutane has are known.
Receptor expression and sensitivity
(Ro)accutane is found to affect many different kinds of receptors distributed in nearly every single organ in the human body. The receptors are found in various parts of the cell. Some in the nucleus of the cell, like many of the hormonal receptors, and some receptors have other locations. The receptor couples to the hormone, and through a complicated process initiates gene-transcription.
In experimental cell lines, (Ro)accutane is found to suppress several of these receptors. This means that when the hormone reaches the cell, there are less receptors that are to respond to the hormone. This in turn may lead to a partial resistance of the hormone. Many factors are also indicating that (Ro)accutane through complex chemical interactions may change the affinity of the hormonal receptors, which means that the hormones bind less efficiently to them.
Why are homones so important?
Hormones control the renewal of cells. They control energy expenditure in the cell. They control conversion rates of fat. They are largely involved in the immune-system. They play a large role in the human brain. Hormones are also found to be involved in acne. Deficiencys of different hormones are likely to cause unwanted effects, also called side-effects, because their large role in many areas and many functions all over the body. Also, the levels of hormones are found to decline with age, so that a hormonal deficiency at an early age is likely to get worse over time.
Hormones and the brain
In the brain receptors are found for several hormones that are affected by (Ro)accutane. These steroids in the brain are called neurosteroids. Vitamin A is found to be of major importance in the human brain, regulating among other things cell survival and renewal of cells. Neurosteroids are suggested to influence mood, sexual interest, energy levels, ability to concentrate, memory and many more functions, of which all not are known.
