Ru 486 Misconceptions Myths and Morals - ressourcesfeministes
Ru 486 Misconceptions Myths and Morals - ressourcesfeministes
Ru 486 Misconceptions Myths and Morals - ressourcesfeministes
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RU <strong>486</strong>converted to regulate blood pressure <strong>and</strong> to counterinflammation, are well known glucocorticoids. They areessential hormones which promote the conversion of proteinsto glucose (blood sugar) <strong>and</strong> gtycogen (the majorcarbohydrate, stored chiefly in the liver <strong>and</strong> in muscles).Glycogen converted to glucose is the main source of energyfor human beings. Abnormal levels in the urine indicatediabetes or kidney disease. RU <strong>486</strong> has also been describedas a weak anti<strong>and</strong>rogen blocker, 11 <strong>and</strong>rogen being producedin the adrenal gl<strong>and</strong>s.This triple action of RU <strong>486</strong> against progesterone,glucocorticoids <strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong>rogens in the adrenal gl<strong>and</strong>s, togetherwith its effect on the uterine lining, is cause for concern. WHOrepresentative, van Look, suggests that perhaps it could bethe antiglucocorticoid activity of RU <strong>486</strong> which is the reasonwhy the chemical given alone is not sufficient to induceabortion (1990:3). Since the first clinical trial in Geneva(1982) the antiglucocorticosteroid activity of RU <strong>486</strong> hasbeen confirmed in subsequent studies (e.g. Kovacs et al.,1984; Gaillard et al., 1984; Couzinet <strong>and</strong> Schaison, 1988). Itappears that when RU <strong>486</strong> blocks the glucocorticoidreceptor, the anterior pituitary produces ACTH via negativefeedback which in turn stimulates the adrenal gl<strong>and</strong> toproduce cortisol. This leads to elevated levels of both ACTH<strong>and</strong> cortisol. But as the negative feedback in thehypothalamus-pituitary system is now blocked, furtherdem<strong>and</strong> for cortisol cannot be fulfilled. As Healy <strong>and</strong> Hodgenhypothesize from their monkey studies, ‘An RU <strong>486</strong>-produced blockage of the cortisol receptor may prevent theusual glucocorticoid stress response…’ (i.e. the productionof cortisol) (1985:137). In another experiment, eight of the11 male subjects developed a severe, generalized body rash.The rash disappeared five to six days after RU <strong>486</strong> wasdiscontinued. One man developed symptoms <strong>and</strong> signsconsistent with the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. Thesymptoms disappeared after RU <strong>486</strong> was discontinued <strong>and</strong>68
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