Ecdysteroids are arthropod steroid hormones that are mainly responsible for molting, development and, to a lesser extent, reproduction;[1][2][3] examples of ecdysteroids include ecdysone, ecdysterone, turkesterone and 2-deoxyecdysone.[4] These compounds are synthesized in arthropods from dietary cholesterol upon metabolism by the Halloween family of cytochrome P450s.[5] Phytoecdysteroids also appear in many plants mostly as a protection agents (toxins or antifeedants) against herbivore insects.[6][7]
Ecdysterone has been tested on mammals due to the interest in its potential hypertrophic effect. It has been found to increase hypertrophy in rats at a similar level to some anabolic androgenic steroids and SARM S 1.[8] This is proposed to be through increase of Calcium leading to activation of Akt and protein synthesis in skeletal muscles.[9]
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