Human Modification Through Chemicals

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Human Modification Through Chemicals

• Shitarria Battle
• Brian Cox
• Alexandra Figuly
• Chris Catchings

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Objective

• To examine the use, effectiveness, and safety
  issues of medical and pharmaceutical treatments
  including
• Antidepressants
• Weight-loss supplements
• Performance enhancers

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Rationale

• To uncover the good, the bad, and the ugly
  concerning mood altering, weight-loss, and
  performance drugs.

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Background

• Antidepressants Facts
• All Depressive Disorders affect 18.8 million
  Americans and cost 44 billion per year .
• Anti depressants come in two varieties SSRIs and
  TCAs.
• SSRIs include Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine
  (Luvox), Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR), Sertraline
  (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), and Escitalopram
  oxalate (Lexapro)

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Antidepressants Continued

• SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake
  Inhibitor.
• Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that serves as a
  message carrier in the brain.
• In animal studies, scientists discovered that low
  serotonin levels may be associated with impulsive
  or risky behavior.
• Researchers observed monkeys and found that the
  ones who took more dangerous leaps traveling from
  tree to tree had lower serotonin levels and more
  injuries from falling.
• Studies have also shown low serotonin levels are
  somehow linked with depression cases.

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FDA Public Health Advisory October 15, 2004

• Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal
  thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children
  and adolescents with MDD and other psychiatric
  disorders.
• Anyone considering the use of an antidepressant
  in a child or adolescent for any clinical use
  must balance the risk of increased suicidality
  with the clinical need.
• Patients who are started on therapy should be
  observed closely for clinical worsening,
  suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior.
• Families and caregivers should be advised to
  closely observe the patient and to communicate
  with the prescriber.

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Genetic Test

• DNA analysis can identify any number of potential
  health problems. More than half the population is
  believed to have detectable genetic variations
  that affect the eight to 10 enzymes in the liver
  responsible for breaking down most drugs.
• Available for 600 per test
• Genelex is among the few companies that offers
  the test

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Weight-loss Supplements

• Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
• Sympathetic Amine
• Agent that evokes response similar to those
  produced by adrenergic nerve activity
• Dexatrim, Acutrim, and LipoKinetix
• PPA is responsible for 200 to 500 hemorrhagic
  strokes in people 18-49.
• Other reported risks and adverse effects
• Liver damage
• Hypertensive episodes
• Myocardial injury
• Increased risk of hemorrhagic strokes.

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Weight-loss Supplements

• Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA)
• Claims to suppress appetite and increase fat
  oxidation
• Derived from the Indian fruit Malabar tamarind
• Nearly identical to citric acid chemically
• Legal as a flavor additive, spice, and lemon
  substitute
• Much higher levels found in drugs such as
  Citrimax and Citrin
• Studies show in lab rats, high doses suppress fat
  accumulation, but highly toxic to the testis

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Weight-Loss Supplements

• Chromium Picolinate
• Chromium is a trace element that plays a role in
  glucose metabolism.
• Claims to help regulate insulin and possibly aid
  in controlling blood sugar levels to help with
  weight loss
• Most experts say it has little effect on weight
  loss.
• Short term data suggests that chromium picolinate
  does not have significant adverse side effects.
• Theoretically, negative effects of chromium
  picolinate in doses higher than 1000 mcg include
  renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, generation of
  free-radical damage.
• Good News helps insulin function for people with
  type 2 diabetes.

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Weight-loss Supplements

• Ephedra (Ma huang)
• Chinese shrub that has sympathomimetic properties
  (similar to PPA).
• Claims to stimulate metabolism and suppress
  appetite
• Metabolife, Natural Trim, and others
• Studies have shown weight loss of 2 lbs per month
  over placebo.
• Adverse side effects
• Hypertensive episodes, arrythmias, myocardial
  infarction, stroke and seizures.
• Reported deaths from normal dosages.

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Weight-loss Supplements
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Corticosteroids

• Background
• What are they?
• Closely related to cortical, a hormone which is
  naturally produced in the outer layer of the
  adrenal gland.
• Uses
• Reduce swelling, allergic reactions, skin
  diseases, and other issues.
• Examples
• Lanacort
• Cortaid
• Side effects
• Dizziness, nausea, indigestion, and other
  effects.

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Performance Enhancing Drugs

• Mechanisms
• Simulates the anabolic effects of hormones
  (specifically male hormones Testosterone)
  without androgenic effects, which cause muscle
  fatigue and breakdown.
• Unable to test in most environments because
  common test subjects are not frequent users of
  the drug (athletes).

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Performance Enhancing Drugs

• Benefits
• Increases the effects of muscle building
  hormones, adding muscle mass and strength.
• Hypothetically increases athletic performance,
  although no scientific test has proven any direct
  correlation between steroid use and athletic
  performance
• Primarily used among track field,
  weightlifting, and American football athletes

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Performance Enhancing Drugs

• Side Effects
• Numerous adverse side effect found with the usage
  of the drugs, primarily related to the liver.
• Decrease in excremental activity, and amount of
  gonadotropins produced, leading to a lower sperm
  cell count.
• Cases of high blood pressure and heart disease
  have been found in tests.

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Relevance

• Biological Relevance
• Anabolic Steroids/Performance Enhancers
  manipulates the users muscular system, leading
  to abnormal biological growth and potential
  deformities.
• Weight-loss pills also attempt to manipulate
  bodily functions.
• Corticosteroids can aid human adrenal gland in
  specific hormone deficiency.
• Antidepressants attempt to balance
  neurotransmitters which affect brain function

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Relevance

• Engineering Relevance
• Anabolic Steroids/Performance Enhancers
  designed to improve physical appearance and
  personal athletic performance.
• Weight-loss pills are being developed by chemical
  engineers to optimize fat reduction through
  chemicals.
• Corticosteroids are developed to optimize certain
  parts of the bodys immune system.
• Antidepressants are engineered to treat specific
  disorders new tests allow a custom fit of
  medications/treatments.