Endothil[TM]-CR -- Better than steroids?

Anyone have experience with this product or similar agents? ... these older damn articles.. WTF... curious if anyone has used anything like this.. precursors always get a bad rap... and of course maybe it's b/c the real thing underground or scripted always produce better results for a cheaper price... but when i was a young buck.. my first step was analysing what anabolic/androgenic compounds produced what results and then i spent a bazillion dollars on the precursors that 'could' produce those same style of results... basically $650 later along with 8 lean lbs that stayed... i moved to the real deal... i don't knock precursors other than the expense b/c designer supps are (well used to NOT be illegal), not as risky (some say), just too damn expensive... anyways, read away -
----------------
Better than steroids? Who would have thought a compound developed to help people overcome muscle atrophy would become the bodybuilding breakthrough of the decade?
Muscle & Fitness, April, 2005
In a remarkable turn of events, arguably one of the strangest in the history of athletic performance, an offshoot of research directed to help victims of muscle atrophy has now become an underground cult phenomenon among bodybuilders, world-class athletes and, strangely enough, couch potatoes from the "boomer" generation. And, if consumer sales are any indication of a product's effectiveness, Endothil[TM]-CR is nothing short of a miracle. Both professional athletes and weekend warriors are buying so much Endothil-CR (especially after the ban on steroids and steroid precursors) that finding a bottle has become just about impossible. Has everyone gone crazy? Well ... not really.

SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH OR DUMB LUCK?

Although Endothil-CR's functional component was already backed by clinical trials documenting its ability to overcome muscle atrophy by increasing muscle mass and strength, the success of Endothil-CR as a performance enhancer and muscle builder was "dumb luck," says Louis Rinaldi, spokesperson for Novex Biotech[TM], the compound's developers.

"When research was first published on the compound's ability to help build, repair and strengthen traumatized muscle tissue, trainers (believe it or not, a lot of athletic trainers are physical therapists who help get trauma victims back in shape) began suggesting the compound's muscle- and strength-building attributes could be a safe replacement for steroids and steroid-like compounds," says Rinaldi. "As these cutting-edge trainers began recommending the compound to their competitive clients, they began to receive feedback like, 'I can't believe the muscle gain and strength gain' and 'I never experienced anything like this, steroids or not.'"

Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Novex Biotech's Director of Scientific Affairs, says, "Clearly, people were seeing results, but we didn't have a scientific explanation as to why this muscle mass and strength increase was occurring. However, based on the incredibly positive reports, it is impossible to just ignore the effectiveness of Endothil-CR."

DUMB LUCK STRIKES AGAIN!

Then, in 2003, the results of an independent study of 31 fit males was released. During a double-blind, six-week study, the active compound in Endothil-CR increased upper body strength by 102% and lower body strength by 249% after concentrated exercise (as measured by the amount of weight participants could bench press and leg press). And biceps circumference increased dramatically over placebo--more than a one-inch increase in circumference versus almost no increase with the placebo group.

Since the study's release in April of 2003, researchers have been seeking a natural source for the active Endothil-CR compound. Finally, Novex Biotech discovered that, of all things, an extract of a special strain of green tomatoes could provide the active compound in the precise amount needed to increase muscle mass and strength as shown in the study.

That discovery led to Endothil-CR ... a unique and proven method to stimulate muscle growth and strength through the recruitment and differentiation of precursor muscle cells. Finally, a way to build bigger, stronger muscle without steroids or steroid-like precursors. A compound that has not been banned by any amateur or professional organized sporting body including the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) or the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

BUT IS ENDOTHIL[TM]-CR BETTER THAN STEROIDS?

Mowrey explains, "Most doctors understand the cumulative, detrimental effects steroid abuse has on the human body. So anything that can produce increased muscle mass and strength without relying on steroids or steroid-like compounds has a clear and unambiguous benefit to both professional and amateur athletes ... and is well worth the effort in altering established training regimens."

So, if you see athletes popping a tiny little pink tablet developed to help trauma victims regain muscle size and strength, don't think they've gone off the deep end ... they may be smarter than you think.

So, what's the catch?

To experience the full benefits of Endothil-CR you'll have to completely alter your workout routine. You can no longer do generalized, full-body workouts, but just like restoring atrophied muscles, each day you work out, you'll have to focus on a single, specific muscle group and exercise that muscle group to exhaustion. Why? Because exercise to exhaustion creates "trauma" and Endothil-CR helps your body repair trauma by recruiting endothelial precursor muscle cells to repair (build) traumatized muscle tissue. The results? An increase in both upper and lower body (whichever area you exercise) muscle size and circumference ... and increased strength.

Having a hard time finding Endothil[TM]-CR?

If you've been searching for Endothil-CR, you already know it's become almost impossible to find. This tiny little tablet has attained "cult" status. Try your local GNC retailer (they always seem to keep it in stock), or try ordering through your local gym or supplement retailer. Can't wait? Your best bet is to call Novex Biotech[TM] at 1-800-520-0370, or order online at . The price is $89.00 for a full 30-day supply ... one tablet taken 30 minutes prior to your workout every day.

this sounds like something I'd like to try actually

lol... looks like a price drop... here's some more info - sounds like this might even go well in combination with a good H.I.T. routine
----
Comprehensive Analysis
Endothil™-CR Helps Build Muscle Mass and Strength in Exercising Adult Men
~Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D.
Introduction
It is well known that increased muscle mass and strength occur in the most effective manner when exercise routines are done to exhaustion, i.e, when exercise results in ischemia or hypoxia in localized areas of muscle. Hypoxia produces the “signals” required to boost muscle repair and growth in the area of strain. One of the goals of weight training is to build muscle without scar tissue. Too much exertion can tear muscle to the point where scarring will result. Too little exercise produces little increase in mass or strength. There appears to be an optimal point for maximal growth without scarring. Hence, currently the attempt to increase muscle mass and strength through exercise is constrained by these considerations.

As research begins to unravel the mechanisms involved in building muscle mass, it has become apparent that it should be possible to enhance muscle growth by stimulating certain aspects of the muscle building process. For example, we know that ischemia or hypoxia, with attendant inflammation and activation of so-called growth factors, produces signals that recruit the migration of progenitor cells from the bone marrow and blood stream to the hypoxic area to be used in rebuilding the muscle. The discovery of a method for enhancing the recruitment of the progenitor cells might increase the incorporation of these progenitor cells into the matrix of new muscle tissue, contributing to an increased muscle mass.

One of the crucial points in the muscle rebuilding process following exercise trauma may be the activation of receptors located on the muscle cells as well as on cells of the microvasculature in the muscle tissue. The most important of these receptors is the a7-nar (alpha-7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor). Stimulation of this receptor initiates the cascade of events that eventually results in the repair of muscle and growth of new muscle. Repeated stimulation of the a7-nar actually results in the up-regulation of this receptor such that the efficiency of the system is improved and ever greater muscle growth becomes a distinct possibility. The localized nature of this process must be emphasized. Hypoxia is the localized environment that signals progenitor cells to migrate toward the site of muscle exertion. Thus, by isolating a muscle group in the right leg and exercising it using a specific exercise, you create an hypoxic zone in that area, so to speak, and you would expect only that leg muscle to benefit. This is good in that it allows you to work on specific areas of the body in a systematic manner.

Recently, a compound has been discovered that contains a naturally occurring active molecule known to activate the a7-nar. This molecule is the core substance in Endothil™-CR (ECR). It is theorized that, based on its ability to interact with a7-nars, the active molecule in ECR should stimulate the migration of progenitor cells from bone marrow and blood stream in much the same way that exercising to exhaustion does. If this is in fact the case we predict that the combination of exercise and the consumption of ECR will produce even greater muscle growth and increments in strength than either agent used alone.

The Study
A study was designed to test the hypothesis that the administration of the core compound in Endothil-CR to exercising men will lead to increases in muscle growth and strength exceeding those achieved through exercise alone.

Subjects and Methods
Thirty one adult males ages 30-55 who had been following a weight training program to build muscle mass for over a year were invited to participate in the study. All subjects were nonsmokers, taking no medications, and in good health. Weight training consisted of a three times per week exercise routine for six weeks. Sixteen received the active compound in ECR and fifteen subjects received a placebo pill identical in appearance. Both groups took their pills by mouth 30-45 minutes before workouts.

Measurements
A number of anatomic and functional measurements were obtained on each subject prior to starting and at the completion of the study. These measurements included height (as measured with a calibrated Health O Meter statiometer), weight (on a balance beam scale wearing light clothes and no shoes), body mass index (body mass index = weight (kg)/ height (m)2), waist circumference (measured at the level of the umbilicus), biceps measurement (the circumference of the dominant biceps muscle measured at the middle of the muscle belly of the flexed muscle), quadriceps measurement (circumference of the dominant thigh measured 4” above the kneecap while the subject is standing in a relaxed posture), body composition, and skin fold measurement. All measurements were performed in duplicate. Upper body strength was measured by asking each subject to do 10 repetitions on a bench press or an incline barbell at the maximum possible weight at which they were able to complete the 10 reps. Lower body strength was measured by asking the subject to perform 10 repetitions at the maximum possible weight on a leg press or leg extensions machine. Both baseline and final pressed weights were recorded for upper and lower body strength. Compliance was determined by subtracting the number of capsules returned by the subject at the final visit from the number of capsules dispensed at the outset of the study.

Results
After six weeks, the subjects who took the active compound experienced a significant (p < 0.05) increase in both upper and lower body strength as well as in circumference of the biceps muscle. Specifically, the amount of weight bench pressed increased by 10 lbs. in subjects receiving ECR’s core compound compared to an increase of 5 lbs. in subjects receiving placebo. The amount of weight leg pressed increased 70 lbs. in the experimental group versus 20 lbs. in placebo treated subjects. The treatment group experienced a significant increase in biceps circumference that was more than four times that of the placebo group, who experienced almost no increase in biceps circumference (p=0.03). There were no significant changes between the two groups in quadriceps circumference, % body fat, % lean body mass, weight, or body mass index.

Discussion
Based upon the observations from laboratory experiments, in order for Endothil™-CR to exert a maximal effect it must be incorporated into an exercise routine. The exercise routine will have the most impact if it incorporates routines that produce muscle exhaustion. For example, doing pushups until you can’t lift your body off the floor and then trying to do one more pushup, or doing situps until your abdominal muscles hurt and then doing five more situps. As mentioned at the outset, this kind of training should not be either over done or under done. It is not our goal to produce extensive damage with the idea that the greater the damage the greater the subsequent muscle growth. Yet, the exercise should result in enough ischemia (as defined as a decrease in the amount of oxygen-containing blood to the muscle cells) and muscle strain (trauma) to produce the required signals for repair. Hence, for practical purposes, the end point of this kind of training is exertion to the point of exhaustion.

It should be emphasized that the impact of ECR is probably to augment a naturally occurring sequence of events that normally follows exercise to exhaustion; it is not to overlay a different process or to cause the body to do something unnatural, stressful or unusual. However, the result is something extraordinary in that a possibly synergistic relationship exists between hypoxia and ECR in the upregulation of a7-nars, a result greater than that produced by exercise alone.

Ultimately, the increase in muscle mass depends upon the recruitment and differentiation of progenitor cells into muscle cells. Exhaustive exercise causes hypoxia, ischemia, and muscle cell damage in localized areas of muscle, which in turn produce the signals that attract progenitor cells. Due to its known pharmacology in relationship to a7-nars, the core compound in ECR is hypothesized to likewise stimulate the migration of progenitor cells from the bone marrow and blood stream to the oxygen starved, fatigued tissue to rebuild muscle. It should also enhance the microvasculature of muscles which improves the efficiency of the recruitment of progenitor cells.

The mode of action in both cases (hypoxia and ECR) appears to be activation and upregulation of a7-nar in conjunction with similar activation arising from the presence of signals arising from the exhausted muscle. These signals are probably in the form of cytokines and growth factors. Differentiation at the site of the sore muscle cells occurs in the presence of activated a7-nars and improved oxygen and nutrient supply arising from improved microvasculature and a load of progenitor cells. Together, this mixture of factors results in differentiation, repair and growth.

In addition, it is hypothesized that the core compound in ECR is attracted to the site of trauma and acts to augment the differentiation and proliferation processes through any number of ways, but especially in attracting more progenitor cells to the area, which get caught up in the repair and growth processes, resulting in a net gain not possible without the presence of the ECR compound.

It should be noted that Endothil™-CR is not a miracle pill that will make your muscles grow while you sleep. ECR is an extremely specific and potent natural product that is believed to target the molecular and cellular mechanisms central to the repair and growth of muscle cells. By augmenting exercise-induced recruitment of muscle progenitor cells, ECR is believed to work in synergy with the metabolic effects of exercise to increase muscle size and strength.

In summary, these findings confirm the hypothesis that Endothil-CR’s active compound, in conjunction with exercise, produces a significantly greater increase in both upper and lower body strength and in biceps circumference than exercise alone. Although several of the steps in the process remain to be fully elucidated, the current study demonstrates congruence between the normal muscle building process and processes initiated by the consumption of ECR.

This Comprehensive Analysis is Copyright © 2005, all rights reserved, and is protected under U.S. and International Copyright Laws. The unauthorized duplication, publication, distribution or use of this Research Summary without the express written permission of Novex Biotech™, LLC is strictly prohibited.

Sounds like a bunch of hypel

i'm sure it is.... and the 2nd long post i have was from the manufacturer's website novex labs or something.. the study was funded by them... but of course with everything out there heard or unheard of, it's always nice to get an edge ... figured i'd ask about it.. (the point of the boards anyway right ?

Sounds interesting.