title: Comparative safety evaluation of selective androgen receptor modulators and anabolic androgenic steroids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) have been in use for decades for the treatment of short stature, severe burns, HIV wasting syndrome, osteoporosis, and anemia. However, their lack of selective effects on certain symptoms and unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties has limited their long-term usage in clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) have some advantages over AASs; they are highly specific for androgen receptors, are orally available, and, most importantly, act as strong receptor agonists in skeletal muscle and bone, and as weak agonists or antagonists in androgen-responsive tissues such as the prostate and sebaceous glands. The exact molecular mechanism, however, has not been fully elucidated. This article includes a toxicological review of major AASs, and a comparative safety analysis of major AASs and SARMs in clinical trials to evaluate the therapeutic potential of SARMs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the robust tissue selectivity of SARMs over AASs, they are worth considering as a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of various muscle-wasting diseases.
authors.affiliation: a 1 Research Center, Dong-A ST , Yong-in, Gyeonggi-do, 446-905, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seul Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: b 2 Sungkyunkwan University, Division of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy , Seobu-ro 2066, Changan-ku, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 440-746, Republic of Korea +82 3 12 90 77 08 ; +82 3 12 90 77 28 ; bmlee@skku.edu.
authors.forename: Byung-Mu
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059002:Androgen Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D059002:Androgen Receptor Antagonists; D000728:Androgens
keywords: anabolic androgenic steroid; muscle wasting disease; safety; selective androgen receptor modulator