11/05/24
November 13, 2006
Mighty Mouse, Myostatin and Muscle Madness.: NPR reported today that researchers have been able to build supermuscular mice by injecting them with drugs (there are several and more are being discovered) that block myostatin, the "anti-growth" protein that contributes to degenerative muscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy. This provides new hope for people with the disease, children with subnormal growth conditions, and so on. But you know where I'm going with this, don't you, sports fans? Here's a tidbit from what I heard today: Mice injected with the inhibitor experienced 60% muscle growth over average non-injected mice. Correct my medical errors, point to stories on mutant musclebound children and discuss the new BALCOs inside.
posted by worldcup2002 to extreme at 01:13 PM - 15 comments
Being someone dealing with CMT for about 8 years now, this can only be good news. Operations and painkillers can possibly be put aside for real treatment, but I guess I shouldn't burn my RX for leg braces just yet.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 02:46 PM on November 13, 2006
I have muscular dystrophy, so this is really cool. I'm also a big cycling fan, and I'm pretty sure all fellow cycling fans are SICK of their favourite riders turning out to be dopers. So basically what Drood said: Helping fight disease = YAY! Cheating bastards in sport = WANKERS!
posted by afx237vi at 03:24 PM on November 13, 2006
There goes 'roid rage Bonds' record... Just as a quick reminder, raw power doesn't guarantee home runs. You have to have the skill to make proper contact, and they haven't made a drug that enhances that base requirement. Yet. Also, I'd have absolutely no problem with this drug getting into a few wrong hands, as long as it got into more right hands. The affect it has on professional sports means nothing compared to the effect it has on peoples' quality of life.
posted by grum@work at 06:47 PM on November 13, 2006
I think it helps Baseball players get into the zone though nobody ever says that and when they get a piece of that ball whoowee it's gone I do know you have to have talent and skill more than anything Anyhow I hope this drug helps people with muscular problems my brother has ms and I know he takes some kind of steroid maybe this is better but it seems to me they come out with something new every week
posted by luther70 at 07:21 PM on November 13, 2006
I didn't realize how close my post hit to home. I'm (almost) speechless, Tex and afx. You guys have never let on, to my knowledge, about your afflictions. I am doubly appreciative of your insight and good humor. So, I triple what Drood said: Helping fight disease = YAY! Cheating bastards in sport = WANKERS! And what grum said: Also, I'd have absolutely no problem with this drug getting into a few wrong hands, as long as it got into more right hands.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:39 AM on November 14, 2006
btw, for the benefit of some SpoFites (and all the rest of us who have to read their posts), I hope they come out with a drug that blocks the anti-punctuation protein.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:41 AM on November 14, 2006
wc2k2: I'm (almost) speechless, Tex and afx. You guys have never let on, to my knowledge, about your afflictions. I am doubly appreciative of your insight and good humor. Hey no worries, it doesn't stop me from being a rabid sports fan.
posted by afx237vi at 07:34 AM on November 14, 2006
No problem here, wc2k2. Like afx237vi, it doesn't keep me from being a sports fan, and, in my case, a rabid A-hole on occassion. Thanks for posting this WC2002. I will definitely bring up the subject in my next appointment with MDA.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 10:29 AM on November 14, 2006
Hey no worries, it doesn't stop me from being a rabid sports fan. Wait, afx237vi, you have rabies too?
posted by chicobangs at 10:58 AM on November 14, 2006
Poor afx ... Oh, the humanity!!! Or, on second thought, the huge manatee!
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:39 PM on November 14, 2006
That is one big manatee.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:43 PM on November 14, 2006
wc2k2: I'm (almost) speechless, Tex and afx. You guys have never let on, to my knowledge, about your afflictions. I am doubly appreciative of your insight and good humor. See, I always knew there was something wrong with you two, I just never knew there was anything, you know, wrong with you two.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 03:47 PM on November 14, 2006
I think this is great news for muscular dystrophy as it is an ugly debilitating disease. But why can't people compete in sport just for the sheer excitement of competing to the best of your ability with your own talents and hard work? I've been involved with several different sports at a high level and it is frustrating to see people turn to illegal aids to boost their performance. I know its a fine line to define what an illegal aid is, but I am pretty sure a drug that could boost muscle production by 60% would qualify. Even after years of lifting, I can't imagine one could naturally increase muscle growth that much.
posted by Jimbloomberg at 06:16 PM on November 15, 2006
I'm just wondering about the knuckleheads who will try, at any cost, and what long-term consequences they will have to face. It sounds like the effects aren't localized, and who knows what happens to other muscles like the heart and, erm, you know.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:36 AM on November 16, 2006
Helping fight disease = YAY! Cheating bastards in sport = WANKERS! I would guarantee if this is cleared by the FDA, some wankers out there will be pumping themselves full of this stuff within seconds. *sigh* There goes 'roid rage Bonds' record...