Category: receptor_pharmacology
SARMs are non-steroidal small-molecule AR ligands designed to dissociate anabolic effects in muscle + bone from androgenic effects in prostate + sebaceous glands + scalp. Mechanism: tissue-specific coactivator/corepressor recruitment to ligand-bound AR — analogous to SERMs at ER. Phase I-II clinical data show muscle mass + bone density gains, but every late-stage trial has failed (cardiovascular signal, hepatotoxicity, fertility suppression). All SARMs in this pathway are research-only — none are FDA-approved despite open supplement-market distribution as "lifestyle" hormone modulators. WADA + military prohibited. Sometimes-confused-with: bicalutamide / enzalutamide (covered in aromatase_androgen_receptor_axis) are AR antagonists for prostate cancer — opposite mechanism.