Pre-clinical assessment of the selective androgen receptor modulator RAD140 to increase muscle mass and bone mineral density

Abstract

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are important hypertrophic molecules that pose as potential treatments for many types of myopathy and osteopathy. The aim of this study was to determine if the SARM RAD140 had additive effects on muscle hypertrophy when combined with the functional overloading (FO) of the plantaris muscle. Male, 24 Sprague-Dawley rats (226-250g, n=24 rats/group) where randomly selected into one of four treatment groups: (1) RAD140-FO, (2) RAD140-Control, (3) Vehicle-Control, or (4) Vehicle-FO. RAD140 groups received drug through drinking water and control groups received only vehicle (methylcellulose). Standard rat chow and water were provided ad libitum. Muscle weights of the triceps-surae group and muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured. Muscle weight analysis showed a marked increase in RAD140-FO groups but were not statistically different from the vehicle-FO group. CSA results indicated similar findings. The data presented here show the potential of RAD140 to stimulate muscle hypertrophy in participants. Further investigation with longer treatment duration with RAD140 and FO are required to gain a better insight into the physiological response of the muscle to the FO and SARMs treatment.