Was at my physician’s office for blood work this morning. Had a LABCORP siriolimus trough done.
Just took my rapamune for the week 6mg and GFJ - will get my c-max in a few hours with a second blood draw.
I was thinking about the trillions of cells in my body all simultaneosly having the MTOR protein blocked. In men 36 trillion cells - women 28 trillion. Imagine a total cell system effect happening inside of me right now. I thought you might want a quick review about the many cell types and sizes - the target of rapamycin.
I will share the results next week when labs are back the results of my rapamycin dose.
I think there are generally a number of copies of MTORC1 in each cell. Those individual proteins can be either inhibited or not. I don’t know how many there are, however, and a quick google search has not given an answer (nor has asking chat gpt 4)
I’ve read recently that rapamycin does have some organ and cell specificity (ie. it does preferentially target some organs and cells more so than others). Of course - I read so many rapamycin-related papers that I forget exactly where I saw this discussion… but will post if I run into it again.
So, I turned to ChatGPT and it sounds reasonably accurate, but I think the issue of “brain” is still pretty open. How much it penetrates the blood brain barrier in humans, and to what degree it inhibits mTOR in these cells has not, in my reading, been clearly identified:
In What organs and cells of the body does Rapamycin inhibit mTORC1?
ChatGPT
Rapamycin primarily inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), which is a protein complex involved in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism. When rapamycin inhibits mTORC1, it affects various organs and cell types in the body. Here are some of the key organs and cells impacted by mTORC1 inhibition:
Liver: Inhibition of mTORC1 in the liver can lead to reduced production of proteins and lipids, impacting various metabolic processes.
Muscle Cells: mTORC1 plays a crucial role in regulating protein synthesis in muscle cells. Inhibition of mTORC1 can lead to decreased muscle protein synthesis, potentially affecting muscle growth and maintenance.
Adipose Tissue (Fat Cells): mTORC1 activation is involved in adipocyte (fat cell) differentiation and lipid metabolism. Inhibition of mTORC1 can influence fat cell function and adipose tissue physiology.
Pancreatic Beta Cells: mTORC1 inhibition can affect insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells, potentially contributing to changes in glucose metabolism.
Immune Cells: mTORC1 is involved in the regulation of immune cell activation and function. Inhibition of mTORC1 can impact the activity of T cells and other immune cells, which is why rapamycin is used as an immunosuppressant in organ transplantation and some autoimmune diseases.
Kidneys: Rapamycin and mTORC1 inhibitors are sometimes used to treat certain kidney diseases. Inhibition of mTORC1 can have both positive and negative effects on kidney function, depending on the specific condition and context.
Brain: mTORC1 is involved in synaptic plasticity and neuronal development. Inhibition of mTORC1 can influence brain function, although the precise effects can be complex and context-dependent.
Cancer Cells: In cancer therapy, mTORC1 inhibitors like rapamycin are being studied as potential treatments because they can block the growth and division of cancer cells. However, their effectiveness varies depending on the type of cancer and specific genetic mutations.
It’s important to note that the effects of mTORC1 inhibition can vary depending on the dose, duration, and context of treatment. Rapamycin and related compounds are being investigated for their potential benefits in various medical conditions, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, they also have side effects and must be used with caution under medical supervision. The specific impact of mTORC1 inhibition on an individual’s health can be complex and may require careful monitoring by healthcare professionals.