Posted by SLS on July 17, 2006, at 7:04:04
In reply to more about ru-486, posted by helpme on July 4, 2006, at 19:22:19
> Forgot to say- apparently it works by shutting down and eliminating the body's stress hormones, ie cortisol- immediately.
Actually, mifepristone (RU-486) blocks directly the cortisol receptors. It does not shut down the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. On the contrary, it actually produces an acute increase in cortisol secretion as the body is tricked into thinking that none is available. However, during this time of receptor blockade, the number of receptors actually increases (receptor upregulation). Once the mifepristone is discontinued, this new "thermostat setting" tells the adrenal glands to reduce their secretion of cortisol on a more permanent basis.
This whole process is not immediate. It takes about a week. The mifepristone treatment protocol is built around this biological phenomenon. One takes the drug (600mg/day) for only 7-8 consecutive days and then discontinues it. It is hoped that the HPA (hypothalomus-pituitary-adrenal) axis resets itself during this period of time and results in a new "thermostat setting".
There is some debate as to whether mifepristone treats only the psychotic symptoms or the entire depressive syndrome.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:597527
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060704/msgs/667699.html