YK-11

YK-11 is a SARM that acts as a gene-specific agonist of the androgen receptor (AR) in MDA-MB 453 cells. YK 11 works on a variety of different anabolic pathways. YK-11 has shown greater anabolic activity in vitro in C2C12 myoblasts than DHT [1, 2]. YK11 promoted a cascade of muscle growth and key myogenic regulatory factors in skeletal muscle tissue such as myogenic differentiation factor (MyoD), myogenic factor 5 (Myf5), to a significantly greater extent than DHT.

This can in part explain why YK11 exerts its selective modulation of the AR. Unlike testosterone and most other androgen receptor mediated anabolic agents, YK-11 is orally bioavailable so it does not require injection for proper absorption. At this time YK-11 is for laboratory research use only and the side effects are not fully known.

YK11 Mechanism of Action

What really sets YK-11 apart is that a key component of its anabolic activity is modulated via expression of follistatin. They discovered this by co-administering anti-follistatin antibodies with YK 11 to measure the difference in effects [2]. Follistatin has been shown to promote insulin-stimulated glucose and amino acid uptake into skeletal muscle cells, improving insulin sensitivity directly and increasing skeletal muscle mass [3]. Follistatin proteins also block inhibitory ligands from binding to Transforming Growth Fact

Perhaps the most alluring effect of follistatin is binding and neutralizing of catabolic proteins Activin A, Activin B, and Myostatin. Unfortunately follistatin proteins themselves undergo rapid proteolysis and have limited bioavailability and half-life even when injected directly into a wasting muscle. YK-11 however stimulates the body to produce more follistatin proteins systemically and locally which may circumvent this shortfall of direct follistatin administration and promote muscle growth

Animal studies have investigated the effects of YK 11 as a potential treatment for sepsis-induced muscle wasting. Researchers observed protective effects on muscle tissue and organ tissue, as well as suppression of gram-negative bacteria induced cytokine inflammation. Mortality rate in eight-week old septic mice treated with YK-11 also decreased significantly. They concluded that this was due to the suppression of myostatin as well as an increase in the expression of the follistatin gene.yk-11 for sale

YK-11 Side Effects

Little is revealed in clinical studies regarding YK-11 side effects however anecdotal reports online indicate the potential for joint pain, mild male-pattern hair loss, and aggression. Due to its action upon the androgen receptor (AR) it is plausible that YK11 use or abuse may result in side effects commonly reported with the use of other anabolics, for example elevated hemoglobin or hematocrit, high blood pressure, insomnia, nausea, or liver damage. YK 11 is only approved for laboratory research purposes at this time and is not a dietary supplement yk-11 sarms