There is a new supplement called RPM that is getting a lot of rave reviews which has an active SARM they call icariin. The claim is basically side-effect free testosterone that only acts on androgen receptors in skeletal muscle–no HPTA shutdown, no hairloss, no cycling. Is this too good to be true?
yes
I am not sure of the claims and who claims them, but RPM is good ish.
I use it and now it is a pre-wo staple.
I usually take a Spike Shooter and 4 caps of RPM for a pretty intense workout.
Here is the write-up
Icariin, a potent vasodilator with anabolic and anti-catabolic effects, that can also yield stronger, more forceful muscle contractions!! Icariin works through several different mechanisms: by increasing nitric oxide (NO) through PDE5 inhibition, by acting as a potent anti-catabolic agent that increases the testosterone to cortisol ratio, by increasing muscle contractility by deactivating AchE (Acetycholinesterase), and by boosting endogenous testosterone levels through increasing cAMP and luteinizing hormone and decreasing prolactin. It also is considered a Phytochemical Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator or P-SARM. A P-SARM is a phytochemical (plant-derived) compound that mimics the effects of androgens on muscle mass, strength, bone growth, drive, and sexual function, while at the same time not negatively effecting blood lipids or blood pressure. P-SARMs provide an excellent alternative to other �??enhancement�?? products on the market, including oral bioavailability, flexible biochemical structure, and lack of steroid-related side-effects!!!
As mentioned before, Icariin has potent anti-catabolic effects, along with testosterone-mimicking and muscle-contraction-enhancing benefits - several studies have shown that it actually competes with glucocorticoids for receptor sites in a manner similar to testosterone, while at the same time improving the testosterone to cortisol ratio. This is caused by two different mechanisms of action: the aforementioned competition with glucocorticoids, and also increased testosterone production, through increased cAMP (cyclic AMP, a second messenger important in hormone signaling) levels, luteininzing hormone (LH) levels, the actual mimicry of testosterone in spermatogenesis, and decreased prolactin levels. Icariin seems to block glucorticoids from binding to cortisol receptors, thus blocking the action of cortisol. This alone will cause an anabolic effect by positively skewing the T:C ratio, which is a trigger for greater protein synthesis, increased aggression towards the iron, and insane muscle contractions!!
Icariin is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)- specific phosphodiasterase type 5 (PDE5 for the purposes of this article). This is important, because PDE5 hydrolyze cGMP into an inactive molecule. cGMP is important because nitric oxide (NO) requires cGMP to moderate vascular control and vasodilation. So, essentially, no cGMP, no vasodilation (the �??PUMP�??), because NO requires cGMP to work. The more cGMP, the more NO-induced vasodilation- therefore greater pumps!! Icariin stops PDE5 from disabling cGMP and allowing cGMP to extend its activity, which exerting the effects of NO in skeletal muscle, allowing for a stronger muscle contraction and pump. Viagra is probably the most well known PDE5 inhibitor on the market- but how does Icariin compare? In scientific studies, pure icariin has been found to have roughly one-tenth the PDE5 inhibitory activity and nitric oxide productivity of Viagra- and in P-SARM Synthase AI, the dosage is tailored appropriately to reflect these findings!! In short, the PDE5 inhibition displayed by icariin puts RPM in a class above all other NO enhancers- the effects can actually be viewed as �??pharmaceutical-like!!!
Tian L, Xin ZC, Yuan YM, Fu J, Liu WJ, Wang LL. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2004 Jun 2;84(11):954-7. Effects of icariin on the erectile function and expression of nitrogen oxide synthase isoforms in corpus cavernosum of arterigenic erectile dysfunction rat model
Xin ZC, Kim EK, Lin CS, Liu WJ, Tian L, Yuan YM, Fu J. Asian J Androl. 2003 Mar;5(1):15-8. Effects of icariin on cGMP-specific PDE5 and cAMP-specific PDE4 activities.
Tian L, Xin ZC, Yuan YM, Fu J, Liu WJ, Wang LL. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2004 Jan 17;84(2):142-5. [Article in Chinese] Effects of icariin on intracavernosal pressure and systematic arterial blood pressure of rat
bump
Anyone else using this stuff?