6 Bromo: (Possibly) Gone but not Forgotten

by: Josh Hodnik

Not all athletes understand how important it is to keep estrogen levels under control. An athlete will generally focus on maximizing testosterone levels, but this will make them susceptible to high estrogen levels as the body will try to balance out normal hormone ratios.

When testosterone levels are elevated naturally, from the use of pro-hormones, or anabolic steroids, the process known as "aromatization" will occur. Aromatization is a process where muscle-building testosterone is converted into estrogen. More specifically, androstenedione to estrone and testosterone to estradiol.

Actually, androstenedione can either convert to estrone via aromatase or to testosterone through 17beta Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase:



Aromatase, also known as estrogen synthetase or estrogen synthase, is an enzyme responsible in the biosynthesis of estrogens. This enzyme must be present and active for the conversion of androgens to estrogens to occur. Elevated estrogen can be an athlete's worst enemy. It causes excess water retention which results in a smooth and soft look.

Estrogen can be responsible for gaining body fat and there is also the potential for gynocomastia (the formation of female-like breasts in men). Not only is this unappealing in an aesthetic sense, It can also lead to severe medical conditions.

There are many aromatase inhibitors out there (which, obviously reduce the synthesis of estrogen by inhibiting the aromatas pathway), but there is one in particular that I find quite interesting, and this AI is 6-Bromoandrostenedione. This compound has anti-aromatase and anabolic properties.

As we typically find it on the market,  6-bromo is a combination of two different isomers, 6-alpha-bromo and 6-beta-bromo. The process to separate these two isomers during manufacturing is often too expensive, so you are stuck with both. Some companies (and I'm talking about primarily grey-ish market nutritional companies) claim to have either the alpha or beta isolated in their product. This is possible, but I highly doubt it is the case.

Some people have viewed the alpha and beta isomer combination as being a bad thing, but I see a flip side to it. Let's take a look at the 6-alpha-bromo isomer. This is a fast acting competitor for the aromatase enzyme and works by binding to the aromatase enzyme, and in doing this it prevents this enzyme from interacting with testosterone or other male androgens. 6-alpha is fast acting, but this is only a short term solution due to the fact that competitive inhibitors will eventually let go of the enzyme and will allow male hormones to convert to estrogen. It specifically targets the aromatase enzyme and does not act as an anti-androgen as some other AI compounds do. This will keep mood and libido from being negatively affected. 6-alpha-bromo goes beyond binding to aromatase enzymes to limit conversion. It also converts to 6-alpha-bromo-testosterone which is a mild anabolic steroid.

The 6-beta isomer is a little different in the way it acts. It is an irreversible inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme, which is also labeled as a suicide inhibitor. It is similar to the 6-alpha in the way it binds, but the effects are not temporary as they are with the 6-alpha form. It is highly selective and it will latch onto the aromatase enzyme and will not let go.

The combination of the 6-alpha and 6-beta-bromoandrostenedione work well together by combining a fast acting and long acting solution to control the conversion of male hormones (testosterone) to female hormones (estrogen). 6-bromoandrostenedione can be as effective as some prescription aromatase inhibitors like Arimidex and Exemastane, and it has an anabolic side that these prescription drugs do not have.

6-bromoandrostenedione is often used for post cycle therapy after a pro-hormone or anabolic steroid cycle. I do not see the reasoning behind this with the conversion of the 6-alpha-bromoandrostenedione to 6-alpha-bromo-testosterone. This conversion is enough to cause natural testosterone levels to shut down. The whole concept behind post cycle therapy is to restart natural production, which 6-bromo will not do.

6-bromo is an excellent choice to take during a pro-hormone or steroid cycle to stop the conversion of androgens to estrogen, and it is a compound that can be used to bridge in between cycles. The anabolic properties that accompany 6-alpha-bromo can reduce muscle loss that may occur while natural testosterone production is shut down.

Along with 24 other compounds 6-bromoandrostendione was added to the Designer Steroid Control Act which was introduced on July 25th of 2012. This bill is gaining ground, and I believe that it will eventually pass. With that being said, this compound will not be available over the counter, and if caught with it after the bill is set forth, you will be facing the same penalty as if you were in possession of any other anabolic steroid.





CATEGORY: Drugs