Trenbolone

Trenbolone is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) of the nandrolone group which itself was never marketed. Trenbolone ester prodrugs include trenbolone acetate and trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate. Trenbolone acetate is marketed under the brand names Finajet, Finaplix, and others. Trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate is marketed under the brand names Parabolan, Hexabolan. Both prodrugs are or have been marketed for veterinary and clinical use. Trenbolone acetate is used in veterinary medicine in livestock. It increases muscle growth and appetite. Trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate was formerly used clinically in humans but is now no longer marketed. In addition, although it is not approved for clinical or veterinary use, trenbolone enanthate is sometimes sold on the black market. It is sold under the nickname Trenabol.

Uses

Veterinary

Trenbolone, as trenbolone acetate, improves muscle mass, feed efficiency, and mineral absorption in cattle.

Side effects

Sometimes human users may experience an event called “tren cough” shortly after or during an injection. The user experiences a violent and extreme coughing fit. It can last for minutes and in some cases even longer.

“Tren cough”, despite its name, is not exclusive to trenbolone. It can occur when injecting any oil-steroid solutions, if the solution accidentally is injected intravenously. When the oil-steroid solution gets into the bloodstream, the steroid oil solution travels into the lungs. This process therefore causes a coughing fit. There exist several theories on why this phenomenon happens.

It is possible that the androgenic effect from steroids activates a variety of lipid-like active compounds which are called prostaglandins. Many of these prostaglandins are inflammatory and vasoconstrictive. Prostaglandins are signalled through two varying pathways cyclooxygenase (COX) (Also known as: prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase) and lipoxygenases (LOX) (also known as: EC 1.13.11.34, EC 1.13.11.33, etc.). The bradykinin peptide is well known to promote a cough reaction associated with ACE inhibitor medications prescribed for hypertension.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Trenbolone has both anabolic and androgenic effects. Once metabolized, trenbolone esters increase ammonium ion uptake by muscles. This leads to an increase in the rate of protein synthesis. It may also have the secondary effects of stimulating appetite. It may also decrease the rate of catabolism, as all anabolic steroids are believed to. However, catabolism likely increases significantly once the steroid is no longer taken. At least one study in rats has shown trenbolone causes gene expression of the androgen receptor (AR). This expression is at least as potent as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This evidence tends to indicate trenbolone can cause an increase in male secondary sex characteristics. This can happen without the need to convert to a more potent androgen in the body.

Studies on metabolism are mixed. Some studies show that it is metabolized by aromatase into estrogenic compounds. Other studies demonstrate metabolism by 5α-reductase into 5α-reduced androgenic compounds.

The potency of Trenbolone is not known, although it’s often falsely believed to be five times high as that of testosterone. This is based on a book by William Llewellyn but has not been definitively proven. Trenbolone was never approved for human use, and therefore limited data on the subject exists. The relevant literature, is usually done in rats, which makes the 500/100 potency number inaccurate. Rats respond differently to androgens and are less sensitive to androgens. While some literature report a 5 fold higher potency, two other scientific reviews report a 3 fold higher potency. This makes it unclear as to how large the relative potency actually is. Trenbolone also binds with high affinity to the progesterone receptor, and binds to the glucocorticoid receptor as well.

Pharmacokinetics

To prolong its elimination half-life, trenbolone is administered as a prodrug. It is administered as an ester conjugate such as trenbolone acetate, trenbolone enanthate, or trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate.Plasma lipases then cleave the ester group in the bloodstream leaving free trenbolone.

Trenbolone and 17-epitrenbolone are both excreted in urine as conjugates that can be hydrolyzed with beta-glucuronidase. This implies that trenbolone leaves the body as beta-glucuronides or sulfates.

Chemistry

Trenbolone, also known as 19-nor-δ^9,11-testosterone or as estra-4,9,11-trien-17β-ol-3-one, is a synthetic estrane steroid and a derivative of nandrolone (19-nortestosterone). It is specifically nandrolone with two additional double bonds in the steroid nucleus. Trenbolone esters, which have an ester at the C17β position, include trenbolone acetate, trenbolone enanthate, trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate, and trenbolone undecanoate.

History

Trenbolone was first synthesized in 1963.

Society and culture

Generic names

Trenbolone is the generic name of the drug and its INN Tooltip International Nonproprietary Name and BAN Tooltip British Approved Name. It has also been referred to as trienolone or trienbolone or tren.

Legal status

Some bodybuilders and athletes use trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate and other esters (acetate, enanthate) for their muscle-building and otherwise performance-enhancing effects. Such use is illegal in the United States and several European and Asian countries. The DEA classifies trenbolone and its esters as Schedule III controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act. Trenbolone is classified as a Schedule 4 drug in Canada and a class C drug with no penalty for personal use or possession in the United Kingdom. Use or possession of steroids without a prescription is a crime in Australia.