Anabolic Steroids StatPearls NCBI Bookshelf
Anabolic Steroids: Pharmacology, Clinical Use, and Safety Considerations

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1. What is the mechanism of action for anabolic steroids?

StepMechanismResult

1. Cellular uptakeLipophilic steroid enters cell via passive diffusion or carrier‑mediated transport.Steroid reaches cytoplasm.
2. Nuclear bindingDissociates from heat‑shock protein complexes → binds directly to the intracellular androgen receptor (AR).AR–steroid complex forms.
3. DNA transcriptionComplex translocates to nucleus, attaches to androgen response elements (AREs) on target gene promoters.Recruitment of co‑activators (p300/CBP), histone acetyltransferases → chromatin remodeling.
4. Gene expressionInitiation of mRNA synthesis for anabolic proteins: IGF‑1, myosin heavy chain, creatine kinase, etc.