What causes different side effects in different compounds?
Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2021 12:04 pm
Two words: MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
Molecular structure determines EVERYTHING when it comes to what receptors a molecule will attach to and what kind of effects it will exhibit.
The entire body works via signals and pathways. Everything your body does is influenced by hormones and neurotransmitters. Think of hormones and neurotransmitters as a key, and the receptors as a lock. Certain keys can only fit certain locks and that is due to their shape. That's why androgens only act on androgen receptors and not other receptors because their molecular structure (shape) only allows them to fit in the androgen receptor. Now all androgens will have the same base structure and this base structure will be the part of the key that fits into the receptor. Now on the other end of the molecule (key) there could be other atoms attached which changes the signal that the androgen delivers to the receptor.
A hormone molecule is nothing more than a signal. Think of a hormone as a radio wave, and the hormone receptor as a radio receiver or antenna on a remote control car and the remote control car is your body. The radio wave (hormone) travels to the antenna (hormone receptor) at a certain frequency or frequency range (molecular structure), and the antenna's receiver (hormone receptor) is designed to receive and react to those frequencies. Different frequencies tell it to do different things. A higher frequency could tell the remote control car to turn the wheels, while a higher frequency could tell it to accelerate.
So the hormone attaches to the hormone receptor where it delivers it's signal to tell the cell to perform a specific function. The type of signal it sends depends again on it's molecular structure. For example: An anabolic steroid hormone and Corticosteroid hormone both have the same base molecular steroid structure. However they act on the androgen receptors very differently. Anabolic steroids signal the receptor to build muscle, but corticosteroids actually signal the androgen receptor to break down muscle. Complete opposite signals given by two steroid molecules. However look at the subtle difference in the molecular structure from an anabolic steroid molecule and a corticosteroid molecule. A few extra hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the corticosteroid molecule completely change the signal it gives the receptor which completely changes it's properties.
Now the last concept we need to understand is AGONISTS vs ANTAGONISTS. These terms explain the interaction the molecule has with the receptor once it attaches.
Agonist - Attaches and activates the receptor
Antagonist - Attaches and blocks or disables the receptor (does not activate)
So not only does the molecular structure dictate what type of signal the molecule sends, it also dictates whether it sends any signal at all.
Your body has androgen receptors everywhere including the brain which has an effect on mood and behavior. Some steroids have an agonist affect on these receptors which activates them and influences changes in mood or behavior (think Tren). Other steroids may have an antagonist effect meaning they attach but do not send a signal and just sort of sit dormant for a bit. This is why some steroids may not affect your mood or behavior as much. This goes for any androgen receptor in the body.
Make sense?
Molecular structure determines EVERYTHING when it comes to what receptors a molecule will attach to and what kind of effects it will exhibit.
The entire body works via signals and pathways. Everything your body does is influenced by hormones and neurotransmitters. Think of hormones and neurotransmitters as a key, and the receptors as a lock. Certain keys can only fit certain locks and that is due to their shape. That's why androgens only act on androgen receptors and not other receptors because their molecular structure (shape) only allows them to fit in the androgen receptor. Now all androgens will have the same base structure and this base structure will be the part of the key that fits into the receptor. Now on the other end of the molecule (key) there could be other atoms attached which changes the signal that the androgen delivers to the receptor.
A hormone molecule is nothing more than a signal. Think of a hormone as a radio wave, and the hormone receptor as a radio receiver or antenna on a remote control car and the remote control car is your body. The radio wave (hormone) travels to the antenna (hormone receptor) at a certain frequency or frequency range (molecular structure), and the antenna's receiver (hormone receptor) is designed to receive and react to those frequencies. Different frequencies tell it to do different things. A higher frequency could tell the remote control car to turn the wheels, while a higher frequency could tell it to accelerate.
So the hormone attaches to the hormone receptor where it delivers it's signal to tell the cell to perform a specific function. The type of signal it sends depends again on it's molecular structure. For example: An anabolic steroid hormone and Corticosteroid hormone both have the same base molecular steroid structure. However they act on the androgen receptors very differently. Anabolic steroids signal the receptor to build muscle, but corticosteroids actually signal the androgen receptor to break down muscle. Complete opposite signals given by two steroid molecules. However look at the subtle difference in the molecular structure from an anabolic steroid molecule and a corticosteroid molecule. A few extra hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the corticosteroid molecule completely change the signal it gives the receptor which completely changes it's properties.
Now the last concept we need to understand is AGONISTS vs ANTAGONISTS. These terms explain the interaction the molecule has with the receptor once it attaches.
Agonist - Attaches and activates the receptor
Antagonist - Attaches and blocks or disables the receptor (does not activate)
So not only does the molecular structure dictate what type of signal the molecule sends, it also dictates whether it sends any signal at all.
Your body has androgen receptors everywhere including the brain which has an effect on mood and behavior. Some steroids have an agonist affect on these receptors which activates them and influences changes in mood or behavior (think Tren). Other steroids may have an antagonist effect meaning they attach but do not send a signal and just sort of sit dormant for a bit. This is why some steroids may not affect your mood or behavior as much. This goes for any androgen receptor in the body.
Make sense?