Estimation of Human Reproductive Risk from Animal Studies: Determination of Interspecies Extrapolation Factors for Steroid Hormone Effects on the Male

The problem of extrapolating effects of reproductive toxins on experimental animals to predict the doses that would produce infertility in human males is discussed using published data on effects of testosterone and estradiol on sperm production in the rat, rabbit, rhesus monkey, ram, stallion, and humans. This analysis indicates that calculation of the dose of testosterone that reduces human sperm counts by a given percentage is best done using the dose administered to laboratory animals expressed on the basis of body weight, as opposed to some other parameter such as body surface area. A survey of the available data in the literature indicates the incompleteness of the data set and the specific information needed to improve the basis for extrapolation. Nevertheless, we can predict from studies on laboratory animals the dose of testosterone necessary to reduce sperm counts in humans within a factor of 2.     

糖皮质激素治疗血小板减少并发类固醇糖尿病临床研究

目的：分析糖皮质激素治疗血小板减少并发类固醇糖尿病的临床效果.方法选取114例血小板减少患者进行激素冲击疗法,在治疗的过程中并发类固醇糖尿病21例,将患者按照并发症情况分为两组,观察组(非糖尿病组)和对照组(糖尿病组),分析两组的临床特点.结果114例患者在激素冲击疗法过程中并发类固醇糖尿病21例.两组患者一般情况中性别差异较大,在年龄、体质量指数、c反应蛋白方面对照组明显高于观察组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);对照组复发率占23%,明显高于对照组的6.4%,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组溃疡、皮炎、感冒、泌尿感染发生率均较对照组降低,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论在应用糖皮质激素治疗血小板减少过程中,易发生类固醇糖尿病,在控制各危险因素的同时,治疗期间要及时监测血糖,对于确诊患者应及早采用降糖药物干预治疗.     

Association of serum calcium with serum sex steroid hormones in men in NHANES III

Abstract

Background: Bone is a positive regulator of male fertility, which indicates a link between regulation of bone remodeling and reproduction or more specifically a link between calcium and androgens. This possibly suggests how calcium is linked to prostate cancer development through its link with the reproductive system. We studied serum calcium and sex steroid hormones in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

Methods: Serum calcium and sex steroid hormones were measured for 1262 men in NHANES III. We calculated multivariable-adjusted geometric means of serum concentrations of total and estimated free testosterone and estradiol, androstanediol glucuronide (AAG), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) by categories of calcium (lowest 5% [<1.16?mmol/L], mid 90%, top 5% [≥1.30?mmol/L]).

Results: Levels of total and free testosterone, total estradiol or AAG did not differ across categories of serum calcium. Adjusted SHBG concentrations were 36.4 for the bottom 5%, 34.2 for the mid 90% and 38.9?nmol/L for the top 5% of serum calcium (P_trend?=?0.006), free estradiol levels were 0.88, 0.92 and 0.80?pg/ml (P_trend?=?0.048).

Conclusions: This link between calcium and sex steroid hormones, in particular the U-shaped pattern with SHBG, may, in part, explain why observational studies have found a link between serum calcium and risk of prostate cancer.     

Correlation between sex hormone levels and obesity in the elderly male

Objective: To investigate the levels of sex hormones and androgen receptor (AR) in elderly male patients and to explore a possible correlation with obesity. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 314 Elderly males (age ≥ 65 year). Of these subjects, 104 were healthy (age range 65–92 year; mean 71.38 ± 5.154 year), 74 were obese (65–87 year; 71.32 ± 4.74 year), and 111 were overweight (65–85 year; 71.43 ± 5.03 year). The following parameters were measured: total testosterone (TT), free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and AR. Results: (i) The levels of TT and SHBG in the obesity group were significantly lower than those in non-obese subjects. (ii) Body mass index (BMI) negatively correlated with TT and SHBG. (iii) Multiple regression analysis revealed that TT (β: ?0.230; p = 0.045) and SHBG (β: ?0.163; p = 0.02) were statistically correlated with BMI. Conclusion: Testosterone levels in the obese population were significantly lower than in the non-obese population and there is a significant association between testosterone levels and the extent of obesity.     

泌阳凹陷西部原油芳烃组成特征及意义

泌阳凹陷西部井楼和古城地区原油均遭受了中等—严重的生物降解，很多饱和烃生物标志化合物参数很难真实地反映它们的成因、成熟度等特征，也难以建立原油的分类方案。为此，采用GC-MS分析技术，对研究区11个原油样品的芳烃化合物进行了检测，详细分析了其芳烃地球化学特征。利用芳烃的总体分布特征图、(C20+C21)-三芳甾烷/∑三芳甾烷与C20/（C20+C28R）-三芳甾烷关系图以及(C20+C21)-三芳甾烷/∑三芳甾烷将研究区原油分为2种类型，即“后峰型”（第1类原油）和“前峰型”（第2类原油），与饱和烃中抗生物降解能力较强的生标参数C24四环萜烷/C26三环萜烷关系图分类结果完全一致。根据三芳甾烷成熟度参数判识“后峰型”原油为低熟油、“前峰型”原油为成熟油。     

Anabolic-androgenic steroid effects on early morbid symptoms after open prostatectomy: A pilot study

Objectives.?Anabolic-androgenic steroids such as Nandrolone phenpropionate (NP) dramatically improve the tolerance to acute stress conditions, strength, and subsequently the quality of life in elderly men. We hypothesize that preoperative pulse-dose supraphysiological NP administration might improve the early morbid symptoms in older patients undergoing open prostatectomy.

Methods.?From 2005 to 2006, 54 patients with a mean age of 70 years, diagnosed as benign prostatic hyperplasia and hospitalized for open prostatectomy were enrolled in the study. They were randomly selected to receive preoperative supraphysiological NP (100 mg, intramuscularly, pulse-dose) or sesame oil placebo, prospectively. Early postoperative morbid symptoms including subjective urinary symptoms (dysuria, bladder retention sensation), incision site pain and general satisfaction of their current urinary condition were assessed by a 6-point scale, self-administrated questionnaire at 24 and 48 h, postoperatively. The sex hormone binding globulin and the testosterone levels were also measured.

Results.?The 24-h postoperative symptoms were significantly reduced in the NP group compared to the placebo (6.18 ± 2.81 versus 9.77 ± 2.15; P < 0.001). The postoperative symptoms were reported to have a decline in the 48 h following operation, though was calculated to be statistically insignificant (4.48 ± 2.32 versus 5.55 ± 1.84; P = 0.06). There was no complication attributed to NP therapy.

Conclusions.?The data supported the hypothesis that the preoperative anabolic steroid supplements (such as NP) could result in a better postoperative endurance in elderly men undergoing open prostatectomy. Further studies, longer and repeated pulse injections in a larger number of older men are mandatory to prove the claim.