Roaccutane Science :: How does the acne and cancer drug (Ro)accutane work chemically? :: Section 8: (Ro)accutane and its effects explained - for the beginner :: 1. Hormones and gene-expression Page 1 of 2 » Jump to page   Go     Author Topic: 1. Hormones and gene-expression (Read 5,173 times) Max Administrator member is offline Joined: Apr 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 576 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Thread Started on Sept 6, 2005, 4:27pm » 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. « Last Edit: May 26, 2009, 9:56am by Max » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Djinn Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #1 on Feb 10, 2006, 8:36pm » okey, so am now taking roaccutane, and i've done so for 1 moth now! are you all telling me that am f**ked? i got brain damage? i'll die at a younger age because of deficiency bla bla? can i trust that your statements are true to the bone? please inform me with baby words, what will become of my health after taking roaccuttan 20mg. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Djinn Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #2 on Feb 10, 2006, 9:15pm » cuz....am only 17 and all this is REALLY scaring me. i dont deserve this... you try choosing between self esteem and health. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged janewatson New Member member is offline Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1 Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #3 on Feb 11, 2006, 8:47am » I'm not a scientist (unless you count psychology as a science), but it seems evident that if a person has severe acne (and even not-so-severe acne) that some of the supersonic systems that govern the perfect functioning of our bodies are not functioning absolutely supersonically. As in any malfunction (illness, disease, hormonal imbalance) is it not likely that tweaking the system is often necessary. Maybe all sorts of little things come together to 'cause' acne (including testosterone levels, thyroid activity/inactivity, individual requirements for Vitamin A/D). Roaccutane is certainly the only truly effective remedy for acne (personal experience after 30+ years of trying everything else). Maybe there are undesired side effects (again, not in my experience), but I would not recommend the side effects of lifelong acne to my worst enemy. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged deb1 Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #4 on Feb 11, 2006, 4:25pm » My adult daughter has taken 2 courses of accutane over the last 5 years the last of which was approximately 2004. During the first course (2003) she had 1 episode of tingling and numbness in her calves. This subsided after 6-8 weeks and was dismissed by her M.D. as sciatica or some other transient peripheral nerve problem. In June of 2005 the tingling/numbness in her calves reoccured and this time it became much worse eventually spreading to both distally and proxmially to all areas of her body from waist to toes. MRI's in December 05 have confirmed demylination in her thoracic spine and brain. I have several specific questions - is accutane linked to this type/pattern of demyelination; is there any treatment available for this type of condition other than the medications that are used to treat MS; can you provide me with any references for research that is being done in this area? Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged reena Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #5 on Feb 14, 2006, 9:46am » Im 30 and have been taking 60mg a day for a month now, not noticed a major difference yet. Also 4 years ago i had taken a dose and my acne had gone away. Am i at major risk Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Jake Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #6 on Feb 20, 2006, 10:54pm » Okay, this is so scary. My dermatologist prescribed me 2 months ago a medicine called doxycycline 100 mg every morning for 1 month. It did helped but the effects seemed to platue. So she again prescribed me another medicine which is tetralysal 300 mg to be taken every night for 14 days and with the last 6 capsules of the doxycycline every morning. She said that if it still does'nt work then the last resort would be to take ro accutane. But seeing the side effects explained in the early post back then really scared me. I'm on my 7th day of taking tetralysal and the effects are quite evident combined with brevoxyl, Steiva-A tretinoin .5, Clyndamycin Solution and Deostrata Acne Facial Wash... I just hope that all work before she gives me that prescription... Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged danica Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #7 on Feb 22, 2006, 11:58am » Does anyone know what the goal is in taking roa, is it 1000mg per kilogram of weight? I don't know. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Adriana Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #8 on Feb 25, 2006, 8:08am » This is the first time i present some acne problem, and a friend told me to take ten or twenty pills of Roaccutane of 10 mg, I will like to know if ten will be enough, knowing all the side effects that it causes. Thank you. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged zulu New Member member is offline Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1 Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #9 on Mar 20, 2006, 5:19am » I've just finished using ro-accutane, and i've had the weakening of muscles, i stopped going to the gym because my muscles and bones got really sore, has anyone experienced these problems, my joints are sore, my bum hurts and my thighs and legs, will this go away, please help! when i stand up when I've been sitting down for a long time, i limp before walking normally. is this part of the deal! Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Elin Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #10 on Apr 10, 2006, 10:01am » Hi, I have used Roaccutan when I was younger. I didnīt know what it meant and the risks. It made my acne dissappear. It was like a dream... But now, soon to become 30 years I have had a major depression and to top it all my acne is back. i wil never use Roaccutan again, I am back on my feet and feel strong today. I canīt understand that itīs alloud to prescribe such a drug to young pepole... Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Moo Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #11 on Jun 9, 2007, 10:00am » Elin, sounds actually as though Accutane may be the ideal thing to go on again. Your acne goes, you're fine etc. Then acne comes back years later and your depressed! I was too without taking accutane, after taking accutane and once my acne had gone I was happy that I could get on with my life again. Sounds like you need a top up. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged KatB Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #12 on Aug 3, 2007, 10:35am » Dear Moo Do you think roaccutane is the same as the FDA accutane in the US? I would like to get it without a script my ins.will not pay for it....I have taken accutane 15 years ago with GREAT sucess Please give me your opinions on this THANK YOU SO MUCH Kat My email is kielh3227@yahoo.com Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Amber Guest Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #13 on Nov 1, 2008, 3:28am » I've been taking Ro-Accurante for 12 months and I'm currently having problems with my menstrual cycle. Could those two be related? Also, I've been advised by my dermatologist to take the drug for 20 months. Apparently there is a 90 percent chance that my acne won't come back after 20 months of Ro-Accutane. What do you think? Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged parent13 New Member member is offline Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2 Re: 1. Hormones and gene-expression « Reply #14 on Dec 18, 2008, 9:50am » Hello. I have been reading a great deal of material about the side effects of Accutane. I appreciate all the great research and input. What I do not appreciate is the misunderstanding that everything we read and believe are mental rehearsals of what we continue to create. As we read and re read any defeatist words, we actually wire the defeat into our brain circuitry, which then becomes and remains our reality. Nobody knows with total certainty that these side effects are irreversible. So if one wonders about any danger of a drug, one would decide what risk they are willing to take. If you read about all the risks, why would you continue this program that could make you a victim? Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Page 1 of 2 » Jump to page   Go     Forum Jump--------------------» Home--------------------» How does the acne and cancer drug (Ro)accutane work chemically?--------------------- Section 1: Significant irreversible hormonal antagonism- Section 2: Affected neurotransmitters and parts of the brain- Section 3: Programmed cell death (apoptosis)- Section 4: (Ro)accutane and the immune-defense- Section 5: (Side)-effects in subjects exposed to retinoic acid and their suggested causes (A-Z) --- Section 5b: Other long term effects- Section 6: (Ro)accutane effects suggested to worsen with age- Section 7: Gene-expression- Section 8: (Ro)accutane and its effects explained - for the beginner- Section 9: Los efectos de Roacutan, informacion en espaņol- Section 10: Effekter inducerade av Roaccutan - Section 11: Information des effets a persuade de Roaccutane en franįais.- Section 12: Wirkungen von Roaccutan (isotretinoin) - Section 13: Gli effetti da Roaccutan- Section 14: Resultaten van Roaccutan--------------------» Discussion of treatments of (Ro)accutane (side)-effects----------------------------------------» Links--------------------- Links--------------------» Non commercial forum, no recommendation of marked products through banners----------------------------------------» General--------------------- General Board