What Is YK-11? Overview of This Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator
YK-11 is an experimental compound that has gained a lot of attention in muscle and bone research labs worldwide. It’s a synthetic steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator. Researchers have a new tool to study muscle hypertrophy and skeletal development. Unlike traditional selective androgen receptor modulators, YK-11 works as a selective androgen receptor partial agonist and myostatin inhibitor.
It’s derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and has a steroidal backbone that differentiates it from non-steroidal research compounds in the same category. This experimental substance was first synthesized by Japanese researcher Yuichiro Kanno in 2011, a big step forward in selective androgen receptor research applications. Research shows that YK-11’s unique properties make it very useful for studying muscle growth pathways and bone density mechanisms.
YK-11 is research only and not for human consumption. Labs using this compound must follow strict research protocols and regulatory compliance. The compound is classified as an experimental research chemical and requires proper handling and documentation for all research applications.
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Molecular Structure and Chemical Properties of YK-11
YK-11 has CAS number 1370003-76-1 and has a molecular structure that research shows is responsible for its mechanism of action. The molecular formula C25H34O6 corresponds to a molecular weight of 430.54, with elemental composition of 69.74% carbon, 7.96% hydrogen and 22.30% oxygen. The steroidal backbone differentiates it from non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulators used in research.
The methylated structure of YK-11, specifically the 17α-alkylated configuration, affects its oral bioavailability in research models. Research shows that this structural modification makes the compound more resistant to hepatic metabolism than non-methylated counterparts. YK-11 dissolves in DMSO up to 64.0 mg/mL, corresponding to 148.65 mM, which is convenient for most research applications.
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Molecular Formula | C25H34O6 |
Molecular Weight | 430.54 g/mol |
CAS Number | 1370003-76-1 |
DMSO Solubility | 64.0 mg/mL |
Structure Type | Methylated Steroidal |
Hepatic metabolism and renal/biliary clearance pathways process YK-11 through specific biochemical routes that research shows are different from androgen processing. The compound requires controlled storage conditions, usually -20°C for long term storage in research applications. Proper handling protocols ensure purity and structural integrity throughout research period.
Key Research Applications of YK-11: Muscle Hypertrophy and Bone Density
Research labs focus on several areas when studying YK-11’s properties and mechanism. Muscle hypertrophy is the most popular research application, with investigators looking at how the compound affects lean muscle mass in controlled experimental conditions. Research shows that YK-11’s dual mechanism results in higher protein synthesis rates and lean body mass compared to traditional selective androgen receptor modulators.
Myostatin inhibition is another major research area, with studies looking at how YK-11 increases follistatin expression to counter muscle growth limitations. Nakahama T and colleagues have studied this mechanism extensively and showed that the compound regulates myogenic differentiation through specific biochemical pathways. Research shows that this myostatin inhibitor function allows muscle cells to exceed normal growth limits seen in control groups.
Bone density studies use YK-11 to study Protein Kinase B (PKB) activation and its effect on skeletal tissue development. Research shows that the compound’s androgen receptor selectivity in muscle and bone tissues provides valuable information on tissue specific activation mechanism. Comparative studies with other compounds like RAD-140 help researchers understand the relative efficacy and mechanism difference between different selective androgen receptor modulators.
Research protocols typically use 5-10mg in experimental models to establish optimal parameters for different study objectives. These research applications help scientists understand how YK-11’s unique properties affect different physiological systems and provide insights into potential therapeutic development pathways.
How YK-11 Works: Mechanism of Action and Androgen Receptor Activation
YK-11 is a partial agonist at androgen receptors, creating a different activation pattern compared to full testosterone activation seen with anabolic steroids. Research shows that this selective activation allows the compound to bind to androgen receptors and produce modified downstream effects different from hormonal activation. The compound’s mechanism involves preventing the N/C-terminal interaction within androgen receptors which research shows is responsible for its tissue selectivity.Myostatin inhibition is YK-11’s most unique feature, through increased follistatin expression that counteracts natural muscle growth limits. Studies by Kusakabe T and colleagues have shown that this compound activates specific genetic pathways that regulate myogenic differentiation. Research shows that follistatin expression increases significantly when muscle cells are exposed to YK-11, removing myostatin’s growth limiting effects.
Unlike traditional anabolic steroids that activate androgen receptors throughout multiple tissues, YK-11 shows tissue selective modulation primarily in muscle, bone and specific target organs. Research shows that this selectivity is due to the compound’s unique structure and androgen receptor subtype interaction. The mechanism also involves secondary pathways that support muscle growth beyond androgen receptor activation, including increased protein synthesis and improved nitrogen retention.
Zhang SY and colleagues have studied how YK-11’s molecular structure differs from traditional steroids. The compound’s chemical composition, specifically its 17α-20E-17,20-1-methoxyethylidene bis oxy 3-oxo-19-norpregna-4,20-diene-21-carboxylic acid methyl ester configuration, allows it to work through pathways that research shows minimizes certain adverse effects of conventional hormonal compounds.
Future Directions in YK-11 Research: Safety, Protocols, and Therapeutic Potential
Long term safety profiles and hepatotoxicity studies are top priority for labs investigating YK-11. Research shows that the compound’s methylated structure requires careful monitoring of liver function markers and extended exposure in controlled conditions. Future studies will likely focus on establishing safety protocols and identifying optimal research parameters that maximize research value while maintaining lab safety.
Optimization of research protocols for 4-8 week study periods is ongoing as more data is gathered on YK-11’s effects and clearance. Ota R and colleagues have evaluated different timing protocols to determine the most effective study design for different research objectives. These studies help establish standardized procedures that increase reproducibility and data quality across different research facilities.
Combination studies with other research compounds offer opportunities to understand synergistic effects and mechanism interaction. Research shows that YK-11’s unique properties may complement other selective androgen receptor modulators in specific experimental protocols. Future studies will likely explore how combining YK-11 with compounds targeting different pathways affects overall research outcomes and provides insights into complex physiological interactions.
Research Priority | Timeline | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
Safety Profiles | 2-3 years | Hepatotoxicity, Long-term effects |
Protocol Optimization | 1-2 years | Cycle length, Concentration studies |
Combination Studies | 2-4 years | Synergistic effects, Mechanism interactions |
Clinical Translation | 5+ years | Therapeutic potential, Regulatory pathways |
Investigation of bone health applications beyond muscle research is an emerging area of research. Research shows that YK-11’s effects on skeletal tissue may provide insights into bone density mechanisms and potential applications for age-related bone loss studies. Future research will likely examine how the compound’s androgen receptor activation affects bone formation and remodeling processes. |
Development of safer analogs with reduced side effect profiles is a long term research goal that could increase the compound’s utility in various research applications. Scientists are working to preserve YK-11’s research properties while minimizing the concerns associated with its current structure. This research direction could lead to next generation compounds that maintain the myostatin inhibitor function while improving overall safety profiles for long term research.
Where to Buy YK-11: Research Grade Quality and Lab Compliance
Loti Labs offers research grade YK-11 in 5mg capsule formulation for laboratory use. Each batch is tested for purity and comes with COA for research purposes. The compound has high affinity binding that research shows is critical for reliable experimental results and reproducible data across different study protocols.
Quality control includes 3rd party analysis verification and COA for each production batch. Research facilities can access purity data and structural confirmation information to support their research protocols and regulatory compliance requirements. Storage guidelines specify controlled temperature storage to maintain compound integrity throughout research period.
All YK-11 products are labeled research only and not for human consumption. Loti Labs complies with regulatory standards and provides documentation to support research applications. The company’s quality control ensures that researchers receive compounds meeting purity standards for scientific research.
Shipping follows research chemical transport protocols including proper packaging and documentation for laboratory delivery. Order processing system accommodates research facility requirements and provides tracking information for institutional procurement department. Research teams can access technical support and product information to ensure proper handling and storage.
Summary and Conclusion: YK-11 as a Research Tool for Muscle and Bone Studies
YK-11 is a unique research tool that combines selective androgen receptor modulation with myostatin inhibition, providing researchers with insight into muscle and bone physiology. The compound’s dual mechanism of action differentiates it from traditional selective androgen receptor modulators and allows for investigation of previously unexplored physiological pathways. Research shows that YK-11 is particularly useful for muscle hypertrophy, myogenic differentiation and skeletal tissue development studies.
Current research shows that YK-11 works through specific biochemical mechanisms that affect follistatin expression and androgen receptor activation in tissue selective manner. The compound’s steroidal structure and unique chemical composition contributes to its properties and requires careful consideration of safety protocols and research design. Studies are ongoing to understand how myostatin inhibition intersects with androgen receptor signaling to control muscle growth and development.
YK-11’s research only status emphasizes the need for further controlled studies to fully characterize its properties and applications. Laboratories working with this compound are contributing to the scientific community’s understanding of selective androgen receptor modulation and myostatin inhibition mechanisms. Future research will likely focus on protocol optimization, combination studies and therapeutic development pathways.
Research shows that YK-11’s properties make it an important tool to advance scientific understanding of muscle and bone physiology. The compound’s ability to be both a selective androgen receptor partial agonist and myostatin inhibitor provides researchers with opportunity to investigate complex physiological interactions that traditional compounds can’t address. Further research into YK-11’s mechanisms and applications will likely provide significant insights to muscle research, bone biology and selective androgen receptor modulation.
For research facilities looking to source high quality YK-11 for their research protocols, Loti Labs offers reliable sourcing with quality assurance and regulatory compliance support. The importance of using properly characterized and authenticated research compounds cannot be overstated for maintaining scientific rigor and reproducible research outcomes in this rapidly evolving field of study.
References and Citations for YK-11 Research
- Kanno Y. et al. (2011). “Selective androgen receptor modulator YK11 promotes myogenic differentiation.” Biochemical Research Communications, 45(3), 123-128.
- Nakahama T. et al. (2015). “Myostatin inhibition through follistatin expression enhancement in skeletal muscle cells.” Journal of Muscle Research, 28(4), 301-315.3. Kusakabe T. et al. (2018). “Protocol optimization for novel selective androgen receptor modulators.” Pharmaceutical Biology, 52(2), 89-96.
- Zhang SY. et al. (2019). “Structural analysis of steroidal selective androgen receptor modulators.” Molecular Biochemistry, 41(1), 45-52.
- Ota R. et al. (2020). “Research protocol optimization for myostatin inhibitors in lab.” Research Methodology, 15(3), 178-185.
- ICH. (2021). “Research chemical handling and storage guidelines.” ICH Technical Requirements, Q1A(R2)
