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How Long Do Receptors Take To Increase In Presence Of Drugs?

Posted on Sat, 10 May 2014

Question: Dear Dr XXXXXXX I asked question before regarding effect of drugs on receptors. Your valued advise was the receptors increase when in presence of drugs....and then reduce over time after stopping the drug. What would be the timescale for this? days/weeks months? Secondly, how often do ALL receptors get replaced regardless whether used or not? For example, in my somatroph cells, are all the Ghrh receptors that existed when i was 14 already been turned over and replaced by newer ones?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (45 hours later)

Brief Answer: It varies from one type to other receptors Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. The receptor density and the dynamics of the same differs in different type of receptors. For receptors in less active organs its in months and for the skeletal muscles and other active structures the replacement time is short. It is not well defined or there is no well established time period for receptor dynamics. When not in use the receptors which are parts of the cells get destroyed as the cell undergoes apoptosis. Hence the ageing and the apoptosis depends on the cell type again. Hope, I answered your query. Wish you good health. Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (5 days later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX Thanks again for your valued opinion. I would also like to know the way androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) affect brain neurotransmitters. Is it through the androgen receptor, or is it through direct action on the neurotransmitter in cell membrane? Thanks and wishing you all the best Warm Regards XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (28 hours later)

Brief Answer: No much action on brain Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. The brain does have androgenic receptors but do not show much physiological response to the anabolic steroids. These androgenic receptors in the brain respond optimally to Testosterone and DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) modifying behavior and also involve in regeneration of the neuron axons. Anabolic steroids do act through the androgenic receptors especially in the muscle cell cytoplasm (sarcoplasm). This leads to faster regeneration of the torn muscle while doing workout. Hence, leading to bulk expansion of the muscle and hypertrophy. Also, it is postulated that receptors are present in bone marrow too. Hope, I answered your query. Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (15 hours later)

Thank you Dr XXXXXXX for your valued answers. I have one more question regarding growth of internal organs. Growth of internal organs stops as we reach 21. Coincidentally , at this age, growth hormone starts to decline. So is the stopping of growth of internal organs due to this GH decline, or is it due to other factors? Best Regards

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (11 hours later)

Brief Answer: Yes, Detailed Answer: Hi again, Yes, the decline of the growth occurs due to decline in the levels of growth hormone. regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (9 hours later)

Thanks again Dr XXXXXXX for your valued feedback. I checked normal igf-1 values in mid 20s subjects and mid-childhood subjects - it appears the 20 year olds have more igf-1 levels than the childhood subjects, yet in children, the internal organs are continously growing. This proves that low igf-1, and thus growth hormone, can still grow organs as long as maximum size has not yet been reached (as in the childrens case)

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (19 hours later)

Brief Answer: Its more like insulin rather than growth hormone Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing back. Though IGF-1 has growth functions, IGF-1 is a hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin. It plays an important role in childhood growth, also continues to have anabolic effects in adults. Since its function varies in adulthood and concentrates more on energy production like insulin does its levels do not decline in adulthood. Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (16 hours later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX thanks again for your valued advice. i have a concern about my oxandrolone steroid treatment (aged 14) and effect on penile tissue. It may have caused slight growth at the time. Its been suggested penile cells are replaced every 3 months, but after some reading , i learned that penis contains smooth muscle also. And i think muscle never gets replaced. please could you advise penile smooth muscle cells lifespan? Thanks and Best Regards

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Muscle cell parts get regenrated Detailed Answer: Hi again, Smooth muscle cells not get replaced, life span somewhere equals human life span. The cells undergo process of remodeling of the cell organelles and other parts very frequently. regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (12 hours later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX how frequently? And other than dna , is everything else completely remodelled? Lets consider my penile muscle cells after the steroid treatment i had. Today, is all thats not been remodelled from these cells the actual DNA itself? Best regards

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (14 hours later)

Brief Answer: yes, Detailed Answer: Hi, Very frequently the parts of a muscle cell are remodelled. Every day perhaps. Everypart other than DNA is repaired. Yes, this applies to your penile muscle too. regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (7 hours later)

Thanks again Dr XXXXXXX Does every part mean everything in nucleur matrix? I just want to know which parts of the muscle cell increases in size as result of steroids..... If every organelle gets replaced frequently this would be highly reasuring Wishing you all the best. Kind Regards XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (16 hours later)

Brief Answer: Yes, Detailed Answer: Hi, Other than nucleus most of the other organelles are repairs or replaced. Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (5 hours later)

thanks again so the steroids can increase size of nucleus, and this never gets renewed or replaced? how can that be? i thought DNA and nucleus are two different things? Best regards

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (18 hours later)

Brief Answer: No, Detailed Answer: Hi, Nucleus size in not altered by steroids or any other medications. The cell perishes once completing its life cycle, it is then where the DNA gets destroyed. No, DNA is a nucleic acid present in the nucleus. Regards,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar