LGD-4033

Product Overview

LGD-4033, commonly known as Ligandrol or VK-5211, is a synthetic, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). LGD-4033 was developed as an investigational androgen-receptor ligand designed to produce selective activation of androgen signalling. It has been studied extensively in preclinical models and progressed into controlled human clinical research, including investigations of pharmacokinetics, lean body mass and endocrine effects.

Research-Chem.uk supplies LGD-4033 as a laboratory research compound intended strictly for analytical and scientific research applications.

What Is LGD-4033?

LGD-4033 is a synthetic non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator developed as part of research into tissue-selective androgen signalling. The compound is structurally unrelated to testosterone and other steroidal androgens. Instead, it belongs to a class of small molecules designed to interact selectively with the androgen receptor.

LGD-4033 has demonstrated high-affinity binding to the androgen receptor and has been investigated for its effects on androgen-responsive tissues. The compound is also known as Ligandrol and VK-5211.

According to PubChem, LGD-4033 has the following chemical characteristics:

• CAS: 1165910-22-4
• Molecular formula: C₁₄H₁₂F₆N₂O
• Molecular weight: 338.25 g/mol
• PubChem CID: 44137686

IUPAC name: 4-[(2R)-2-[(1R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile.

How Is LGD-4033 Investigated in Research?

LGD-4033 has been investigated across receptor pharmacology, preclinical models and controlled human studies. Research has examined:

• Androgen receptor binding
• AR activation
• Tissue-selective androgen signalling
• Lean body mass
• Skeletal-muscle biology
• Bone metabolism
• Muscle strength
• Body composition
• Testosterone and gonadotropin signalling
• Lipid metabolism
• Pharmacokinetics
• Drug metabolism

The compound's development was driven by the concept that selective androgen-receptor activation might provide anabolic activity while producing a different tissue profile from conventional anabolic steroids.

Controlled human research has provided direct evidence that LGD-4033 interacts with the endocrine system. In a placebo-controlled study involving 76 healthy men, 21 days of LGD-4033 exposure produced dose-dependent increases in lean body mass alongside suppression of total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin and HDL cholesterol. Hormonal and lipid measures returned toward baseline after discontinuation in the study period.

LGD-4033 Research Applications

What Does the Research Say?

LGD-4033 has a stronger research foundation than many compounds marketed within the SARM category. Preclinical research established high-affinity interaction with the androgen receptor and provided evidence for anabolic activity in experimental models.

Importantly, LGD-4033 subsequently progressed into controlled human research. The landmark 21-day randomised, placebo-controlled trial published by Basaria and colleagues included 76 healthy men aged 21–50 years. The study found that LGD-4033 produced dose-dependent increases in lean body mass. At the same time, researchers observed suppression of total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin and HDL cholesterol. At the highest studied dose, follicle-stimulating hormone and free testosterone were also significantly suppressed.

These findings are important because they demonstrate both target engagement and systemic endocrine effects. The study was relatively short, and the authors concluded that longer randomised trials would be necessary to establish longer-term efficacy and safety.

Subsequent reports have highlighted additional safety concerns. A published case report described severe drug-induced liver injury in a 32-year-old man following use of LGD-4033, with liver biopsy demonstrating cholestatic hepatitis and mild fibrosis. Another more recent case report described liver injury following prolonged LGD-4033 use and emphasised the potential for hepatotoxicity and endocrine effects associated with non-medical SARM exposure.

There is also an important analytical-quality issue surrounding compounds sold online as SARMs. A study analysing 44 products marketed as SARMs found that only 52% contained one or more SARMs, while 59% had an amount of active compound that differed from the label claim. This reinforces the importance of independent analytical testing and batch documentation when studying compounds such as LGD-4033.

For laboratory research, LGD-4033 therefore provides a well-characterised model for studying selective androgen receptor activation, endocrine signalling, pharmacokinetics and tissue-specific androgen biology.

Research References

• Basaria S, et al. (2013). The effects of LGD-4033, a novel nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator, on lean body mass, strength, and physical function in healthy elderly men. Journal of Gerontology / clinical development literature.

• Basaria S, et al. (2013). The safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects of LGD-4033, a novel nonsteroidal oral, selective androgen receptor modulator, in healthy young men. Journal of Gerontology: Series A, 68(1), 87–95.

  PMID: 22459616 · DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gls083

• LGD-4033 / Ligandrol — PubChem CID: 44137686. CAS: 1165910-22-4. Molecular formula: C₁₄H₁₂F₆N₂O. Molecular weight: 338.25 g/mol.

• Van Wagoner RM, et al. (2017). Chemical Composition and Labeling of Substances Marketed as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators and Sold via the Internet. JAMA, 318(20), 2006–2010.

  PMID: 29183075

• Ligandrol (LGD-4033)-Induced Liver Injury. Case report documenting severe drug-induced liver injury associated with LGD-4033 exposure.

  PMID: 32637435 · DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000000370

• LGD-4033 and a Case of Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Exploring the Clinical Implications of Off-Label Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator Use in Healthy Adults. Case report examining liver injury and broader safety considerations associated with LGD-4033.

  PMID: 39421081

LGD-4033 Product Specifications

Quality and Purity

At Research-Chem.uk, analytical quality and batch traceability are central to our research compound range.

LGD-4033 is supplied as a defined research compound with analytical documentation supporting material identification and laboratory record keeping. HPLC analysis is used as part of the analytical quality-control process, with batch-specific documentation available.

Researchers should always refer to the relevant Certificate of Analysis (COA) when recording the analytical characteristics of a particular batch.

Independent analytical verification is particularly relevant to SARM research because published analysis of internet-marketed SARM products has identified discrepancies between labelled and measured composition.

Laboratory Research Applications

LGD-4033 may be suitable for laboratory investigations involving:

• Androgen receptor pharmacology
• Selective androgen receptor modulation
• AR-dependent gene expression
• Receptor-ligand interactions
• Skeletal-muscle biology
• Lean-mass research
• Bone biology
• Endocrine signalling
• Testosterone regulation
• Sex-hormone research
• Lipid metabolism
• Pharmacokinetic studies
• Drug-metabolism research
• Analytical chemistry
• SARM detection and identification

LGD-4033 is supplied strictly as a research compound and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition.

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