Recent studies and findings in 2016 have shown great potential qualities of the REV-ERB-specific synthetic ligand SR 9009 (REV-ERBα), especially in terms of its pivotal role in the regulation of the circadian rhythm, and in various metabolic functions in the body.
Reversed-viral erythroblastosis (REV-ERB)
As the circadian rhythm regulates important physiological processes such as sleep/wake cycles and feeding behaviors over a 24 hour period, the nuclear receptors ‘reversed-viral erythroblastosis α and β’ (REV-ERB α and β) are behind that regulation.
Modulation of the REV-ERB α activity plays an important role in maintaining the energy homeostasis, by altering the expression of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism.
The effects of REV-ERB α and β in animal studies showed an increase in basal oxygen consumption, a decrease in lipogenesis (the storing of energy into fat), and decreased lipid storage in adipose tissue.
Also, an increase in mitochondria, and oxidation of glucose and fatty acid in the skeletal muscle – essentially meaning there was a significant increase in energy expenditure and a decrease in fat mass.
What do studies for SR 9009 show?
Medically, studies have found it will decrease:
- plasma triglycerides
- total cholesterol by up to 47%
- plasma non-esterified fatty acids
- plasma glucose
- plasma insulin levels,
- pro-inflammatory cytokine il-6 by 72%
These findings make SR 9009 a very promising candidate for the treatment of several metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes.
One study indicated that the REV-ERBs are potential therapeutic targets for treating sleep problems such as those encountered as a consequence of shift work or jet lag.
Scientists are hopeful that this relatively new compound will aid in the cure of many illnesses where exercise is limited; for example, obesity, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and also the deterioration of muscle and strength capacity(sarcopenia).
The body’s metabolism slows when a person is sedentary – some food is directly used as energy, whilst overeating causes the body to store fat. The more the cells store fat, the more they are stretched. They don’t have the tendency to contract after they’ve stretched, and they lend themselves to a greater storage capacity of fats.
SR-9009 resynchronizes a dysfunctional metabolic clock, resetting it to its correct state, thus recreating a normal circadian rhythm and optimal performance at the cellular level. Essentially, this means SR-9009 increases the muscle’s ability to burn energy, and to increase muscular contractile potential.
In the bodybuilding industry, SR 9009 equates to a very attractive performance enhancement option, due to the overwhelming increase in oxidative capacity – the cell’s ability to utilize fuel in the skeletal muscles.
The mitochondria are responsible for using oxygen to burn fats and carbs, and SR 9009 is recognized to turn on genes that help synthesize new mitochondria, outside of its programmed genetic capability.
Studies on mice are promising
Studies on mice have shown to increase metabolic activity in skeletal muscle – the mice developed larger muscles and dropped body fat, and also increased their running ability by up to 50%, both in terms of distance and in time.
This was an imitation of the effects of rubric exercise, and these changes happened even when the mouse was relatively sedentary.
This was due to the increased mitochondrial count in the muscles, and increased macrophages – the mitochondria were able to generate more energy, and the macrophages replaced defective mitochondria with new ones.
SR-9009 effect on muscles
Another potential ability of SR-9009 is the prevention of atrophy of the skeletal muscles resulting from overtraining, stress, and overall lack of use… at either extreme, muscle damage can occur that causes it to self-digest in order to sustain itself.
SR-9009 has shown it has the ability to block and modulate the self-digesting process, thus protecting skeletal muscles from atrophying.
Are there any side effects?
There are no known side effects with the use of SR 9009. It is not a hormonal drug, so there is no suppression of natural testosterone production, neither does it aromatize into estrogen.
SR 9009 isn’t toxic to the liver, but there is a need for liver and kidney support whilst using it.
What’s the right dosage?
The recommended course of administration is in incremental doses – 7–10mg 4x a day in 4 hourly increments. Alternately 5-7mg 6x a day in 2 hourly increments.
The dosage schedule must be strictly adhered to, to attain the maximum benefits.