Gonadin - Liquid Steroid Optimizer For Lab/R&D

[Lovestain]

Very interesting product. I suppose I am nervous about the potential effect of increased DHT on prostate hypertrophy ...
Is this a reasonable concern? Is PSA the best indicator of BPH in a rat?
Is it possible to raise total T without raising DHT?

@haidut thank you so much for the excellent research .

 

[haidut]

Very interesting product. I suppose I am nervous about the potential effect of increased DHT on prostate hypertrophy ...
Is this a reasonable concern? Is PSA the best indicator of BPH in a rat?
Is it possible to raise total T without raising DHT?

@haidut thank you so much for the excellent research .

So far we have not had reports from people of this causing prostate issues. PSA would be a good test for intra-prostatic estrogen levels but prolactin is probably just as good a test because not only does prolactin measure systemic estrogen load but is also highly predictive of prostate cancer. PSA can be hit or miss many times and often is has no predictive value while prolactin does.

 

[Lovestain]

So far we have not had reports from people of this causing prostate issues. PSA would be a good test for intra-prostatic estrogen levels but prolactin is probably just as good a test because not only does prolactin measure systemic estrogen load but is also highly predictive of prostate cancer. PSA can be hit or miss many times and often is has no predictive value while prolactin does.

Thank you .
My prolactin is 5.6. I'm male.
What have people found to be an optimal level to aim for?

Any reports of hairloss using Gonadil?

 

[haidut]

Thank you .
My prolactin is 5.6. I'm male.
What have people found to be an optimal level to aim for?

Any reports of hairloss using Gonadil?

Search the forum for "optimal prolactin". No reports of hair loss from Gonadin so far.

 

[Lovestain]

Search the forum for "optimal prolactin". No reports of hair loss from Gonadin so far.

Ok. Will do. Thanks .

 

[brix]

Thank you .
My prolactin is 5.6. I'm male.
What have people found to be an optimal level to aim for?

Any reports of hairloss using Gonadil?

Your prolactin is good.

 

[bluefish]

I’m doing 8 drops of gonadin and 4 drops of pansterone in the morning and 4 drops of pansterone again in the evening. I haven’t been able to tell much specifically w the gonadin... but I always look forward to the pansterone drops. I’m hoping this combo and amount doesn’t have a chance of overloading my system or converting dhea into estrogens or anything like that. I will be doing a General T blood test soon but until then... idk.

 

[Wolf]

Minimally effective dose considering the fact that test rat is dosing other aromatase inhibitor type chemicals and dht precursors?
Scrotal application change the effective dosing?

 

[bluefish]

Alright... so... after reading through the pages more carefully (and haidut’s suggestion)... I just did 8 drops a gonadin... without pansterone... because sounds like gonadin negates pansterones effects. Anyways. I’ll try this for a week or so. See if I notice any subject changes.

 

[Anders86]

Any clever opinion on this study? https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1349-7006.1999.tb00758.x

 

[Alex Jaramillo]

Yeah, gonadin raises T and T can either convert to DHT or E (most likely all to DHT since it's such a strong anti aromatase properties). So if DHT gets too high, E could get too low. But if you increase T with it, it can help keep a balanced ratio and not let E get too too low.

I had this problem when using masteron only a while back. My DHT got so high that my E tanked. I added test prop in and it fixed the problem due some of the T getting converted back into estrogen.

I don't know for sure this is just speculation though. It could be somewhat different with bioidentical steroids.

Where did you purchase your masteron?

 

[Alex Jaramillo]

As I mentioned in a few threads before, I have always been interested in the so-called "reproductive aging", both in males and females. There is solid evidence that gonadal function declines with age and as such the synthesis and circulating levels of protective steroids like testosterone (T), progesterone (P4), DHEA, and pregnenolone (P5) declines in both men and women. Initially, this decline is buffered to a degree by increased adrenal activity and DHEA synthesis. But with advancing age, the adrenal layers that synthesis DHEA tend to atrophy, leaving cortisol and estrogen to rule unopposed.
Actually, total T levels in men do not decline with age but this appears to be due to decreased clearance, while de-novo synthesis in the Leydig cells does decline quite markedly with aging, in parallel to falling levels of pregnenolone, progesterone and DHEA. In women, after menopause progesterone, pregnenolone and DHEA levels decline just as sharply as they do in males.
Interestingly, this decline in endogenous synthesis does not seem to be due to some kind of damage or atrophy of the gonads. To the contrary, cell extracted from "old" human gonads perform just as well as cells from "young" gonads when placed in optimal laboratory conditions with sufficient amount of precursors and enzyme co-factors. This shows that the decline in gonadal function is...well...functional and not structural. So, I have been searching for substances that can help restore such optimal endogenous environment to gonads. Thyroid hormone and high NAD/NADH ratio definitely seem to play a role, but there are additional pathways that appear to be involved and administering thyroid hormone is not always optimal or even desirable. One of the more interesting studies I stumbled upon (which has been posted on the forum) demonstrated that administration of vitamin K2 (MK-4) to old rats doubled their testosterone levels without any addition of other stimulating agents like thyroid hormone, or NAD, or even precursors like pregnenolone. More importantly, Vitamin K2 did not affect pituitary hormones like LH, which are typically involved in steroidogenesis. Furthermore, vitamin K1 did not have a testosterone boosting effect so this is yet another reason for chosing MK-4 over K1 (as this question keeps coming up on the forum).
Menaquinone-4 enhances testosterone production in rats and testis-derived tumor cells

That vitamin K2 study apparently got the authors thinking what could be the reason behind this effect of boosting testosterone synthesis. Given that the quinone structure is the same in both K1 and K2, the only difference is the side chain. Vitamin K2 contains geranylgeraniol (GGOH) as a side chain, while vitamin K1 does not. So, the same authors decided to do another study using just GGOH as well as a few other related substances and examine their effects on steroidogenesis.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09168451.2015.1123612?src=recsys&journalCode=tbbb20

As expected, GGOH did boost testosterone levels and in a concentration about the same as the one used in the first study with MK-4 - i.e. 10μM/L - 30μM/L. It also increased the synthesis of progesterone, which is an important direct precursor to steroid synthesis in the gonads, including synthesis of T. So, the testosterone-boosting effects of vitamin K2 (MK-4) appear to be due mostly to that side chain and not the quinone structure, which matches the results from the first study. Moreover, another similar terpene known as Phytol (POH) was even more effective than GGOH in boosting synthesis of both testosterone and progesterone in Leydig cells when used in concentrations of 30μM/L (see attached screenshots).

Furthermore, the same authors published a new study in which they not only reiterated their belief that phytol and GGOH would raise T levels but also did an in vivo study to confirm their results.
A novel function of geranylgeraniol in regulating testosterone production. - PubMed - NCBI
"...Testosterone and progesterone levels in I-10 cell culture mediums markedly increased in the presence of phytol and GGPP, but not in the presence of GOH. Meanwhile, FOH enhanced progesterone, but not testosterone levels. These results indicated that phytol and GGOH have similar effects on testosterone and progesterone production although, unexpectedly, GOH did not affect steroid production in I-10 cells. Recent researches have revealed the biological activity of compounds derived from the isoprenoid/cholesterol synthesis pathway. These isoprenoids, including FOH, GOH, and phytol, regulate various biological processes [47–49]. The results indicated that not only GGOH, but other isoprenoid derivatives, can enhance testosterone and progesterone levels, although the mechanisms by which they exert these effects are yet to be clarified."

"...We also found that dietary supplementation of MK-4 enhanced plasma testosterone levels in rats, without any alternation of plasma LH levels [45]. Based on the results of our cell-based experiments [32], we conducted further experiments on the effects of GGOH on testosterone production in animals. Eight-week-old Wistar male rats were purchased from SLC Japan (Shizuoka, Japan) and fed either GGOH supplemented (48.3 mg/kg of diet) or control diet for 10 days. Growth performance did not differ between both diets, but plasma testosterone levels in GGOH supplemented group were found to be elevated compared to that of control group, indicating that dietary supplementation of GGOH significantly elevates plasma testosterone levels (unpublished data, Figure 4). These findings provide novel mechanistic insights into the process of testosterone production and may be useful for the development of therapeutic strategies to counter age-associated declines in testosterone levels in men. In summary, the novel role of GGOH in steroidogenesis may bring new possibilities and could be useful in the development of therapeutics for the treatment of men with LOH."

Since the in vitro tests in the previous studies used the same concentration of phytol and GGOH (100 uM/L), we can use the new in vivo study to estimate the HED dose for phytol. The in vivo study used GGOH in a dose of 48.3 mg/kg of diet in rats, which is 4.83 mg/kg of bodyweight, which is an HED of 0.8 mg/kg. Since phytol has slightly higher molar mass than GGOH the HED for phytol would be 0.816 mg/kg and thus the 100mg a dose of Gonadin provides should be more than enough to replicate this study. As you can see from the attached image, T levels doubled and did so in just 10 days of supplementing!

Phytol - Wikipedia
Phytol is quite an interesting substances as it is a precursor to both vitamin E and K and is used as raw material by some organisms who can synthesize these vitamins endogenously. More importantly, both of these vitamins have been found to raise T levels in animal (and some human) studies, which seems to be due to the presence of that side chain (derived from phytol) attached to the quinone ring. In addition, it was also discovered that phytol is a potent aromatase inhibitor with an IC50 of just 1μM/L, which is quite easily achievable with the amounts present is our product. In fact, in this study phytol (code-named SA-20 in the study and attached screenshots) was as effective as formestane (abbreviated FOR in the study and attached screenshots) in inhibiting estradiol synthesis when used in concentration of 1μM/L (see attached image). Formestane is a steroidal aromatase inhibitor similar to but more potent than exemestane. Perhaps even more importantly, phytol reduced mRNA expression of aromatase itself for up to 24 hours, which suggests that it acts as a long lasting "suicide aromatase inhibitor" just like formestane. In concentrations of 10μM/L, phytol was again as effective as formestane in decreasing actual aromatase expression. As mentioned above, the 100mg dose of phytol per serving (8 drops) of Gonadin should achieve 30μM/L concentrations, so the methods of the study on aromatase should be quite easily replicated. Overall, the aromatase inhibition effects of phytol could very well be responsible at least partly for the observed increase in testosterone levels, in addition to the stimulation of StAR. I am not aware of any other substance that can both inhibit aromatase (and long-lasting at that) AND promote endogenous testosterone/progesterone synthesis.

Two natural products, trans-phytol and (22E)-ergosta-6,9,22-triene-3β,5α,8α-triol, inhibit the biosynthesis of estrogen in human ovarian granulosa ... - PubMed - NCBI
"...Two compounds trans-phytol (SA-20) and (22E)-ergosta-6,9,22-triene-3β,5α,8α-triol (SA-48)-were found to potently inhibit estrogen biosynthesis (IC50: 1μM and 0.5μM, respectively). Both compounds decreased aromatase mRNA and protein expression levels in KGN cells, but had no effect on the aromatase catalytic activity in aromatase-overexpressing HEK293A cells and recombinant expressed aromatase. The two compounds decreased the expression of aromatase promoter I.3/II. Neither compound affected intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, but they inhibited the phosphorylation or protein expression of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). The effects of these two compounds on extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and AKT/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway were examined."
"...In the present study out of only 5 terpenoids and 6 steroids examined, one acyclic diterpenoid (SA-20), and one functionalized ergostane steroid, SA-48, potently inhibited estrogen biosynthesis in KGN cells. Currently, these two compounds are the most potent terpenoid and steroid reported to inhibit aromatase in a cell-based assay. Phytol (SA-20) is an acyclic diterpenoid categorized as a branched-chain fatty alcohol (3,7,11,15-tetramethyldexadec 2-en-1-ol). It is found abundantly in nature as part of the chlorophyll molecule, and a relatively high amount of free phytol is present in dairy products (Brown et al., 1993). The finding in this study that phytol is a potent aromatase inhibitor gives new insight on our understanding of the beneficial effects of vegetables and fruit on human health."
"...We found that SA-20 (phytol) and SA-48 exhibited their inhbitory effect in KGN cells until 12-24 h, indicating that they modulate aromatase at the transcriptional level. This is further supported by the findings that they inhibited aromatase mRNA and protein expression."
"...In normal breast cells, aromatase expression is primarily derived from the tissue-specific promoter I.4 for transcription, whereas in cells from patients with breast cancer, the expression is primarily derived from the utilization of promoter I.3/II. As a result, estrogen biosynthesis sqitches from regulation by a promoter controlled primarily by glucocorticoids and cytokines to regulation by a promoter controlled through cAMP-mediated pathways by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a powerful stimulator of adenylate cyclase (Zhao et al., 1996). Thus, the inhbition of promoter II-driven aromatase expression by means of anti inflammatory cyclooxygenase inhibitors to reduce PGE2 is attracting attention for the tissue specific treatment of breast cancer (Davies et al., 2012)."
"...Aromatase transcription is primarily controlled by promoter 1.3/II in ovarian granulosa cells. Thus, we examined whether SA-20 and SA-48 exert their inhibitory effects on aromatase transcription through these two promoters. SA-20 and SA-48 at 50uM decreased 20-30% of the promoter I.3 (Fig. 7A). However, at the same concentration (50uM), SA-20 and SA-48 decreased 60%-70% of the promoter II (Fig. 7B). These results indicate that the inhibition of aromatase transcription by SA-20 and SA-48 is mediated through promoter I.3/II, with promoter II playing a more prominent role."

In summary, phytol seems to be a very versatile substance with a wide array of beneficial effects. As one study aptly summarized these effects include:
Phytol in a pharma-medico-stance. - PubMed - NCBI
"...In the pharma-medico viewpoint, PYT and its derivatives have been evident to have antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antitumorous, antimutagenic, anti-teratogenic, antibiotic-chemotherapeutic, antidiabetic, lipid lowering, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, antinociceptive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antidepressant, immunoadjuvancy, hair growth facilitator, hair fall defense and antidandruff activities. Otherwise, the important biometebolite of PYT is phytanic acid (PA). Evidence shows PA to have cytotoxic, anticancer, antidiabetic, lipid lowering and aniteratogenic activities. In addition, it may be considered as an important biomarker for some diseases such as Refsum's Disease (RD), Sjögren Larsson syndrome (SLS), rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RZCP), chronic polyneuropathy (CP), Zellweger's disease hyperpipecolic academia (ZDHA) and related diseases. Thus, phytol may be considered as a new drug candidate."

Finally, phytol is one of the few known chemicals that raise NAD levels in vivo and thus improve the oxidative state of the organism.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1271/bbb.130029
"...In conclusion, we found that phytol increased the blood NAD level via ACMSD protein suppression and mRNA expression in rat liver. It is possible that this mechanism resulted from the activation of PPAR as well of other transcription factors. We will carry out additional studies on the regulation of ACMSD gene expression by phytol to elucidate this issue."


As the study on POH/GGOH observed, other related terpenes like farnesol or geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) were not effective in stimulating steroid synthesis, even though farnesol did boost progesterone synthesis but was much weaker compared to GGOH or POH.
"...We previously reported that menaquinone-4, one of vitamin K2, stimulates testosterone production in I-10 cells via regulation of PKA activity13) and presumed that unsaturated side chain of menaquinone-4, geranylgeranyl group, may be important to express this activity. And we also found that both menaquinone-4 and GGOH have anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccaride-induced inflammation model.5,15) Here, we firstly demonstrated that GGOH stimulates steroidogenesis via activation of cAMP/PKA pathway. Testosterone production is regulated by a complex signaling cascade, with cholesterol transported into mitochondria to initiate steroidogenesis in Leydig cells. Progesterone is an important hormone that is converted to several steroids–including testosterone–and is secreted by I-10 cells.16,17) GGOH stimulated both testosterone and progesterone productions (Fig. 1). Therefore, we measured progesterone levels as a precursor of testosterone in further experiments in Figs. 3(B), 5, and 6(C) to clarify detailed mechanism of GGOH in steroidogenesis."

As the study describes, endogenous synthesis of steroids by the gonads (and actually peripheral cells as well) is rate-limited by the expression and activity of the so-called Steroid Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR).
Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein - Wikipedia

The higher the levels of this protein, the more steroids are synthesize from cholesterol and (maybe even more importantly) from other precursors as well. Cholesterol is not the only precursor to steroid synthesis and we are just beginning to understand the role of these other precursors. But as far as the levels of StAR, GGOH (and POH) increased those level more than 6-fold. I am not aware of any other substance with such dramatic effects on upregulating StAR. Finally, contrary to what other studies have suggested and what some forum members have asked for, PDE levels did not correlate with steroid synthesis. So, a PDE inhibitor will probably not be as effective as a steroid booster compared to GGOH or POH.
"...On the other hand, we did not find any evidence of a role for PDE in steroidogenesis. StAR functions in the rate-limiting step of steroid production in Leydig cells and is required for the delivery of cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane.26) We showed that GGOH treatment increased the RNA and protein levels of StAR, which acts downstream in the cAMP/PKA pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrate that GGOH enhances testosterone and progesterone production in I-10 cells via induction of cAMP/PKA signaling. These findings provide novel mechanistic insight into the process of steroidogenesis and may be useful for the development of therapeutic strategies to counter age-associated declines in testosterone levels in men."

As you can see, the authors feel confident that the effects of POH and GGOH may be useful as therapy for declining levels of endogenous steroidogenesis in males. While the study was focused on males, there is evidence that the same steroidogenic process and rate-limiting steps are present in females. Thus, POH or GGOH should have similar beneficial effects in females which is supported by the fact that POH/GGOH boosted progesterone synthesis as much as testosterone. So, I am hoping that GGOH/POH could help both andropause and menopause.

In addition to the phytol, I have been researching the steroidal effects of various fatty acids and their esters. There is considerable evidence that saturated fats increase binding of androgens to their "receptors" and also increase androgen synthesis. Most of the studies on androgenic effects of saturated fat were done using the unmodified versions of such fats like palmitic and butyric acids. However, a recent study found that the methyl esters of some fatty acids have an even more potent androgenic effects and in even raise testosterone levels in castrated rats. While the effects of the fatty acid esters were not quite as potent as testosterone (T), the effects were not far behind those of dose of T administration. Also, the doses of fatty acid esters used was quite low and there is likely to be a dose-dependent effect, so higher doses would be more potent and may reach the effectiveness of T. Thus, using specific esters of fatty acids like palmitate and oleate may provide another non-steroid method of increasing gonadal activity and raising serum levels of androgens.
Androgenic effect of honeybee drone milk in castrated rats: roles of methyl palmitate and methyl oleate. - PubMed - NCBI
"..."...NMR and MS measurements after the second fractionation revealed MP and MO in the last active fraction (II/E) of the raw DM. Although MO alone had no effect on androgen-sensitive organs, MP (similarly to raw DM) increased the weights of the androgen sensitive organs (except the prostate) and these effects were flutamide-sensitive. Palmitate is known to play a role in steroidogenesis: it is able to increase the DHEA level through its CYP17 activity (Bellanger et al., 2012). A fatty acid infusion has been reported to elevate human androgen production in both sexes (Mai et al., 2006, 2008). MP was recently proved to inhibit carrageenan-induced paw oedema by reducing the prostaglandin E2 level (Saeed et al., 2012), an effect which might indicate a steroidogenesis-inducing property. Since DHEA alone has a weak androgenic effect, the putative DHEA-elevating effect of MP may explain in part the response of androgen-sensitive organs. The androgenic dose (25 μg/kg) of MP alone did not alter the plasma testosterone level, but its combination with MO in high dose exhibited plasma testosterone-increasing effect, similarly to the action of raw DM. It is known that oleic acid has a weak 5-α- reductase inhibitory effect, preventing testosterone conversion to dihydrotestosterone, whereas the esterified analogues of oleic acid (like MO) are ineffective in this respect (Liu et al., 2009). As yet we have no explanation as to why the combination of MP and MO increases the plasma testosterone level in rat. Nevertheless, we have clearly shown that these two compounds have a major role in the main androgenic action of DM. Further studies are required to clarify the androgenic mechanisms of action of MO and MP.""

Interestingly, it is worth noting that when the palmitate ester (an SFA) was used on its own it only had androgenic effects. However, combined with an oleate ester (a MUFA) it also raised T levels in the castrated rats. This synergistic effect of saturated and mildly unsaturated substances has been seen in many other studies with steroids where the effects of combining a saturated steroids like androsterone are much more potent when it is combined with an unsaturated steroid like DHEA. The same effects have been seen with combinations of T/DHT and DHT/DHEA. So, I doubt the findings of this study are a coincidence, and this is what led me to add both the palmitate and oleate esters to the product.

In addition to methyl palmitate and methyl oleate, another SFA which has been found to have an androgenic effect is caprylic acid. I have posted other studies about caprylic (octanoic) acid in regards to its anti-cancer effects and anti-cortisol effects, which would be quite expected if it is indeed androgenic.
Novel phytoandrogens and lipidic augmenters from Eucommia ulmoides
"...Subsequent 1H NMR and GC analyses of active fraction CB showed the major presence of the 8-carbon polysaturated fatty acid, caprylic acid, along with other lipids (figure (figure1313 and table table1).1). Bioassays using pure caprylic acid and other polysaturated fatty acids (PFAs) correlated with the augmenting effect of E. ulmoides on the AR (figure (figure14)14) in varying degrees. Ethanolic extract of coconut (Cocos nucifera) flesh, rich in C-8 caprylic acid and other polysaturated fatty acids [11], replicated the hormone potentiating effect of both E. ulmoides extract and pure caprylic acid in AR bioassays (data not shown)."

Finally, Gonadin also contains diosgenin. It is most commonly extracted from the yam plant.
Diosgenin - Wikipedia

For decades, diosgenin has been widely used as a precursor for commercial steroid synthesis, especially of progesterone, cortisol and androgens. To my knowledge, nobody had specifically looked at its possible role as a steroid precursor when administered directly to mammals. As it turns out, a recent study found that administration of diosgenin dramatically increased DHEA and DHT levels in rodents and the increase of the steroids was seen in both serum and tissues. Serum levels of DHEA rose by a factor of more than 3 and serum DHT levels rose by about a factor of 2.
View attachment 11318


Muscle levels of DHEA rose by a factor of ~2 but muscle DHT levels rose by a factor of more than 4 (more than 300% increase)!
View attachment 11319

As a result of the increase in DHT, the blood glucose levels of the diabetic rats plummeted. This was confirmed by giving a 5-AR inhibitor to the rats given diosgenin, which prevented the blood glucose drop. What's even more interesting is that the effects were rather quick - the increase in DHEA and DHT happened only ~2 hours after giving a single relatively low dose of diosgenin (HED 0.5mg/kg). The structure of diosgenin is very similar to DHEA, and given DHEA's role as an efficient DHT precursor in humans, the study authors suspect diogenin is having the same effect. However, unlike DHEA, diosgenin is NOT known to convert into estrogen or otherwise raise estrogen levels.

Acute administration of diosgenin or dioscorea improves hyperglycemia with increases muscular steroidogenesis in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic rats. - PubMed - NCBI
"...Blood glucose level was significantly decreased 90–180 min after diosgenin injection, relative to the control group and diosgenin and 5-reductase inhibitor group. However, injection of diosgenin with the 5-reductase inhibitor suppressed the diosgenin-induced decrease in blood glucose level (Fig. 1A). Likewise, dioscorea injection also significantly decreased blood glucose level at 90–180 min after injection, compared to the control group, and at 150–180 min after injection compared to the 5-reductase inhibitor group, whereas injection of dioscorea with the 5- reductase inhibitor blocked the dioscorea-induced decrease in blood glucose level (Fig. 2A)."

"...Serum DHEA concentration was significantly increased 120 min after diosgenin injection, and 150 min after dioscorea injection (Fig. 2A). Serum DHT concentration was also significantly increased 150 min after diosgenin or dioscorea injection (Fig. 2B). Muscular DHEA concentrations were significantly greater in rats subjected to diosgenin injection and diosgenin injection with 5- reductase inhibitor than in the control rats (Fig. 3A). Muscular DHT concentrations were significantly greater in the diosgenin injection rats than in control rats. However, the DHT concentrations were significantly lower in the 5-reductase inhibitor rats than in the diosgenin injection rats (Fig. 3A). The muscular concentrations of DHEA and DHT in the muscle were confirmed, which corrected by per g tissue. The data was not different from the corrected value by mcg protein".

"...The results of this study showed that diosgenin and dioscorea administration induced a significant increase in serum DHEA level after 120 min; DHEA and DHT levels peaked after 150 min. In rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus, diosgenin and dioscorea administration decreased blood glucose level by about 28% and 21%, respectively. In our previous study, a 29% decrease in blood glucose level was seen 90 min after DHEA injection, compared to the baseline level [2]. The effect of diosgenin or dioscorea administration may be delayed relative to the effects of DHEA administration, because diosgenin and dioscorea must be converted to DHEA in vivo. In this study, administration of either diosgenin or dioscorea in conjunction with a 5-reductase inhibitor blocked the decrease of blood glucose level."

".... These activations are similar to DHEA administration [2]. Thus, diosgenin and dioscorea induced a decrease in blood glucose level, and activated the muscular GLUT4 signaling pathway, to the same degree as DHEA administration. We speculate that administration of diosgenin or dioscorea should also replenish sex steroid hormones and improve hyperglycemia in vivo. Although diosgenin and dioscorea administration increased serum sex steroid hormone levels in STZ-induced diabetes rats, it is still unclear where in the body the diosgenin and dioscorea are converted to DHEA. This issue should be addressed in a future study."

Interestingly, a human study showed that administration of just 8mg diosgenin improved cognitive function. This corroborates the DHEA- and DHT-raising effects of diosgenin as both of these androgens are known to improve memory and cognitive function.
Diosgenin-Rich Yam Extract Enhances Cognitive Function: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study of Healthy Adults

Thus, in light of the evidence for beneficial effects of phytol, the fatty acid esters, and diosgenin I decided to release the product Gonadin. Its primary purpose is endogenous steroid optimization, however, it may be able to do much more judging from the studies in the "References" section below. The dose of phytol in Gonadin is based on the optimal phytol concentration (30 μM/L) from the in vitro study and the vitamin K2 study, as well as the subsequent in-vivo study with geranylgeraniol by the same authors. Thus, about 100mg is required to replicate the designs of all those studies. Like any unsaturated compounds, phytol has a potential for side effects. Animal studies have shown that at very high doses (10-15 times higher than doses in Gonadin), phytol can cause liver enlargement and its toxicity profile resembles that of vitamin A. So, it is probably best to stick to the 100mg phytol daily unless there is a very good reason for going with higher doses. To further lower the potential risk of such side effects related to phytol's unsaturated structure, Gonadin contains vitamin E. This addition is similar to the common practice of adding vitamin E to vitamin A (also unsaturated) supplements to both prevent peroxidation of the vitamin A and protect from its possible toxicities.

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Gonadin is a chemical for optimizing endogenous steroid synthesis. One of its ingredients - phytol - has been shown in scientific studied to both promote the synthesis of steroids from endogenous precursors like cholesterol, as well as potentially inhibit aromatase and thus lower estrogen synthesis. Phytol has also been shown to possess a variety of other beneficial effects in animal (and some human) studies including restoring mitochondrial function in aged organisms, lowering cholesterol levels and triglycerides, protection from radiation-induced injury and immunosuppression, improvement of bile acid synthesis, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antitumorous, antimutagenic, anti-teratogenic, antibiotic-chemotherapeutic, antidiabetic, lipid lowering, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, antinociceptive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antidepressant, immunoadjuvancy, hair growth facilitator, hair fall defense and antidandruff activities, etc. Its other 3 ingredients - methyl palmitate, methyl oleate, and diosgenin - have been shown to increase androgens levels in both serum and muscle. Thus, the combination of the four (4) ingredients may help increase endogenous synthesis of androgens (and possibly progesterone as well) while simultaneously decreasing estrogen.


Units per container: about 30
Unit size: 8 drops
Each unit contains the following ingredients:

Phytol: 100mg
Diosgenin: 10mg
Methyl palmitate: 3.3mg
Methyl oleate: 3.3mg

Other ingredients: tocopherols, MCT
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References:

1. Miscellaneous
Absorption and metabolic fate of dietary 3H-squalene in the rat. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Dietary squalene increases tissue sterols and fecal bile acids in the rat. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Metabolism of squalene in human fat cells. Demonstration of a two-pool system. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Fate of intravenously administered squalene in the rat. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Effects of prolactin, progesterone, and 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one on squalene production by the preputial gland of the immature female ... - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Squalene inhibits sodium arsenite-induced sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Biological importance and applications of squalene and squalane. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Squalene as novel food factor. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Squalene: A natural triterpene for use in disease management and therapy. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
The protective role of squalene in alcohol damage in the chick embryo retina. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
The inhibitory effects of squalene-derived triterpenes on protein phosphatase PP2A. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Fate of intravenously administered squalene and plant sterols in human subjects. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Feeding with supplemental squalene enhances the productive performance in boars. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Squalene promotes the formation of non-bilayer structures in phospholipid model membranes. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Postabsorptive metabolism of dietary squalene. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Studies on the conversion of squalene to sterol with rat liver enzymes. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Testicular sterols. VI. Incorporation of mevalonate into squalene and sterols by cell-free preparations of testicular tissue. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Phytol Using Non- and Pre-Clinical Models. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Phytol has antibacterial property by inducing oxidative stress response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
In Vitro Schistosomicidal Activity of Phytol and Tegumental Alterations Induced in Juvenile and Adult Stages of Schistosoma haematobium. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Phytol in a pharma-medico-stance. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol) (hair-growth effects)
In vitro anti-quorum sensing activity of phytol. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Phytol derivatives as drug resistance reversal agents. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Phytol, a diterpene alcohol from chlorophyll, as a drug against neglected tropical disease Schistosomiasis mansoni. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Phytol metabolites are circulating dietary factors that activate the nuclear receptor RXR. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Effects of dietary phytol and phytanic acid in animals. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Effects of phytol, a branched, long-chain aliphatic alcohol, on biochemical values and on hepatic peroxisomal enzymes of rats. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)


2. Metabolism/Mitochondria/Diabetes
Protective effect of dietary squalene supplementation on mitochondrial function in liver of aged rats. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
[SQUALENE: PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES]. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Phytol/Phytanic acid and insulin resistance: potential role of phytanic acid proven by docking simulation and modulation of biochemical alterations. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Phytanic acid, but not pristanic acid, mediates the positive effects of phytol derivatives on brown adipocyte differentiation. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Effects of phytol, a branched, long-chain aliphatic alcohol, on biochemical values and on hepatic peroxisomal enzymes of rats. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Phytol increases adipocyte number and glucose tolerance through activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mice fed high-fat and high-fructose diet. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)

2. CVD/Cholesterol
Metabolic variables of cholesterol during squalene feeding in humans: comparison with cholestyramine treatment. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Sterol synthesis from biliary squalene in the jejunal mucosa of the rat in vivo. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
The effect of the administration of squalene and other hydrocarbons on cholesterol metabolism in the rat (squalene)
Lipidaemic effects of tocotrienols, tocopherols and squalene: studies in the hamster. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Effectiveness and safety of low-dose pravastatin and squalene, alone and in combination, in elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Dietary squalene increases high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and paraoxonase 1 and decreases oxidative stress in mice. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Squalene ameliorates atherosclerotic lesions through the reduction of CD36 scavenger receptor expression in macrophages. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Squalene in a sex-dependent manner modulates atherosclerotic lesion which correlates with hepatic fat content in apoE-knockout male mice. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Cardioprotective effect of squalene on lipid profile in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Effect of squalene on tissue defense system in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Amaranth squalene reduces serum and liver lipid levels in rats fed a cholesterol diet. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Further in vitro evaluation of antiradical and antimicrobial activities of phytol. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)


3. Inflammation
Dietary squalene supplementation improves DSS-induced acute colitis by downregulating p38 MAPK and NFkB signaling pathways. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Phytol, a diterpene alcohol, inhibits the inflammatory response by reducing cytokine production and oxidative stress. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Antinociceptive and Antioxidant Activities of Phytol In Vivo and In Vitro Models. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Anti-scratching behavioral effect of the essential oil and phytol isolated from Artemisia princeps Pamp. in mice. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)


4. Chemoprevention
Potentiation by squalene of the cytotoxicity of anticancer agents against cultured mammalian cells and murine tumor. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Antitumor activity of squalene-treated cell-wall skeleton of Nocardia rubra in mice. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Chemopreventive effect of squalene on colon cancer. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
The preventive and therapeutic potential of the squalene-containing compound, Roidex, on tumor promotion and regression. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Inhibition by squalene of the tumor-promoting activity of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in mouse-skin carcinogenesis. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Modulation of doxorubicin-induced genotoxicity by squalene in Balb/c mice. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Squalene: potential chemopreventive agent. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
The possible role of squalene as a protective agent in sebum. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
An insight into the cytotoxic activity of phytol at in vitro conditions. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Diol- and triol-types of phytol induce apoptosis in lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Phytol induces programmed cell death in human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)


5. Skin health
The possible role of squalene as a protective agent in sebum. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
High-dose squalene ingestion increases type I procollagen and decreases ultraviolet-induced DNA damage in human skin in vivo but is associated with... - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Squalene as a target molecule in skin hyperpigmentation caused by singlet oxygen. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds: potential uses in cosmetic dermatology. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)


6. Radiation Protection
Radioprotection of mice by dietary squalene. - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)


7. Neurotransmitters/Neuroprotection
Effects of squalene/squalane on dopamine levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, and fatty acid composition in the striatum of Parkinson's disease mou... - PubMed - NCBI (squalene)
Phytol a Natural Diterpenoid with Pharmacological Applications on Central Nervous System: A Review. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Anxiolytic-like effects of phytol: possible involvement of GABAergic transmission. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)
Anticonvulsant effect of phytol in a pilocarpine model in mice. - PubMed - NCBI (phytol)

This explains why my glucose is so high. Would it work inversely too? As in if one lowers serum glucose will it boost DHEA/DHT

 

[Black Ops]

@haidut any personal reports on the increase in dht. I think I remember you mentioning that after trying tribulus , you would try diosgenin

 

[bluefish]

My bottle of g is plugged up. I have to pop the top off and take the drops that way. I’m guessing this is a issue others have had??

 

[LuMonty]

Mini review for the first week of use: rat went from being weak with no appetite to being able to overhead press his wife (small rat). Thermogenic effect is notable, takes much less effort to warm up. Skin seems thicker, fur is fuller and thicker. Had bad acne for a few days, but rat looks clear now. Squeaks are deeper too. Erection quality is improved in all facets, even though it was perfectly adequate before. Lots of unneeded water was lost. Unable to test before or after, so I'll be limited to such details in review.

My bottle of g is plugged up. I have to pop the top off and take the drops that way. I’m guessing this is a issue others have had??

I've had the same problem. Vigorously shaking the bottle up down and sideways between drops fixes it. My rat loves the stuff, but if there was some way to improve the viscosity it would be great.

 

[KyleKingsly]

It would probably be better to take this stuff with food since it's fat soluble right? Rn I'm trying to take it sublingually after breakfast, and then swallowing the drops after a bit. I'm hoping I can avoid any potential issues with hypoglycemia that way, which I'm very prone to these days.

 

[Antonello]

@haidut I've had what I thought as a Cortisol belly for years. You know the type, skinny legs but big baloon of a belly. Seems to run in the family as my brother and dad have it too.

4 drops of gonadin and I'm flat! Amazing.

So is it actually estrogen that causes the bloated belly rather than cortisol?

You have experience with lots of Idealabs supplements. What do you think is the most powerful at lower that belly fat from high cortisol/estrogen?

 

[haidut]

Mini review for the first week of use: rat went from being weak with no appetite to being able to overhead press his wife (small rat). Thermogenic effect is notable, takes much less effort to warm up. Skin seems thicker, fur is fuller and thicker. Had bad acne for a few days, but rat looks clear now. Squeaks are deeper too. Erection quality is improved in all facets, even though it was perfectly adequate before. Lots of unneeded water was lost. Unable to test before or after, so I'll be limited to such details in review.

I've had the same problem. Vigorously shaking the bottle up down and sideways between drops fixes it. My rat loves the stuff, but if there was some way to improve the viscosity it would be great.

Great, thanks for the feedback! I think the clogging issue has been resolved in the latest batch.

 

[Hanzo]

is gonadin drug test approved

 

[bluefish]

maybe kinda random too complex a question but I thought Id ask... If rat is taking tongkai, pine pollen, and an estro detox... would gonadin be an nice stack w that... or, getting too complicated to consider...

thanks... and if you fixed the bottle clogging thats great, it was a bit of an issue...