Group items tagged

these classes can be further refined by improved separation procedures, and intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) and subdivisions of the HDL (e.g. HDL1, HDL2, HDL3 and so forth

Density is determined largely by the relative concentrations of triacylglycerols and proteins and by the diameters of the broadly spherical particles

Lipoproteins are spherical (VLDL, LDL, HDL) to discoidal (nascent HDL) in shape with a core of non-polar lipids, triacylglycerols and cholesterol esters, and a surface monolayer, ~20Å thick, consisting of apoproteins, phospholipids and non-esterified cholesterol, which serves to present a hydrophobic face to the aqueous phase

the various lipid components should not be considered as absolute, as they are in a state of constant flux

Apo A1 is the main protein component of HDL

Apo A2 is the second most important HDL apolipoprotein

the main groups are classified as chylomicrons (CM), very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), based on the relative densities of the aggregates on ultracentrifugation

The lipoproteins can be categorised simplistically according to their two main metabolic functions. The principal role of the chylomicrons and VLDL is to transport triacylglycerols ‘forward’ as a source of fatty acids from the intestines or liver to the peripheral tissues. In contrast, the HDL remove excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues and deliver it to the liver for excretion in bile in the form of bile acids (‘reverse cholesterol transport’). While these functions are considered separately here for convenience, it should be recognised that the processes are highly complex and inter-related, and they involve transfer of apoproteins, enzymes and lipid constituents among the heterogeneous mix of all the lipoprotein fractions.

SHBG decreases in response to androgens, and in the presence of hypothyroidism, and insulin resistance.

Plasma SHBG levels tend to increase with increasing age

The apparent metabolic clearance rate of testosterone is decreased in elderly as compared to younger men

Testosterone circulates predominantly bound to the plasma proteins SHBG and albumin, with high and low affinity respectively

Testosterone is secreted in a pulsatile fashion

Current clinical guidelines suggest at least two measurements

In adult men, there is a well-documented diurnal variation (particularly in younger subjects) in testosterone levels, which are highest in the early morning and progressively decline throughout the day to a nadir in the evening

In older men, the diurnal variation is blunted

it is standard practice for samples to be obtained between 0800 and 1100 h.

Testosterone and DHEA decline, whereas LH, FSH, and SHBG rise

DHT remains constant despite the decline of its precursor testosterone

Longitudinal studies show an average annual decline of 1–2% total testosterone levels, with decline in free testosterone more rapid because of increases in SHBG with aging

Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS) data show DHEA, DHEAS, and Ae declining at 2–3% per year

DHT showed no cross-sectional age trend

Androstanediol glucuronide (AAG) declined cross-sectionally with age in the MMAS sample, at 0.6% per year

The EMAS data show that, consistent with the longitudinal findings of MMAS (Figure 1), the core hormonal pattern with increasing age is suggestive of incipient primary testicular dysfunction with maintained total testosterone and progressively blunted free testosterone associated with higher LH

obesity impairs hypothalamic/pituitary function

Androgen deprivation in men with prostate cancer has been associated with increased insulin resistance, worse glycemic control, and a significant increase in risk of incident diabetes

Low serum testosterone is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome 116, 117 and type 2 diabetes. 118 SHBG has been inversely correlated with type 2 diabetes

Improvement in insulin sensitivity with testosterone treatment has been reported in healthy 121 and diabetic 122 adult men

In studies conducted in men with central adiposity, testosterone has been shown to inhibit lipoprotein lipase activity in abdominal adipose tissue leading to decreased triglyceride uptake in central fat depots. 123

This association was independent of age, weight change, and physical activity, the only three significant confounding covariates of the association between sex hormone levels and BDI scores

testosterone concentrations should be checked 2–3 months after initiation of therapy and after adjusting the dose

the recommendation for injectable testosterone esters is to check the serum concentration midway between injections

it is recommended for serum testosterone to be evaluated 3 to 12 hours after application of the transdermal patch

Approximately 0.3% of testosterone is converted into estradiol by aromatase (CYP19A1)

a study from 1989 utilizing testosterone transdermally containing 5, 10, or 15 mg of testosterone showed that peak concentrations of testosterone were achieved 3 to 8 hours after scrotal application in hypogonadal men

measure serum testosterone any time after the patient has been on treatment with gel for at least 1 week

evaluate serum testosterone at the end of the dosing interval for testosterone pellets

increased amount of fat leads to increased extragonadal aromatase activity, resulting in increased concentrations of estradiol. High circulating concentrations of estradiol down regulate the HPG axis and decrease the amount of circulating testosterone

Up to 80% of plasma estradiol originates from aromatization of testosterone and less than 20% of estradiol in the circulation is secreted by the testes

A PSA concentration, digital rectal examination, and hematocrit should be performed at baseline and at 3 months, 6 months, then yearly after TRT is initiated.

It is used for many medications and has the advantage of high bioavailability, absence of hepatic first pass metabolism, increased therapeutic efficacy, and steadiness of plasma concentrations of the drug

If the hematocrit rises above 54%, treatment should be discontinued

elderly men having higher estradiol serum concentrations than postmenopausal women

By reversing "leptin resistance," through the blocking of PTP1 B, the function of the protein hormone leptin is restored so that the hypothalamic center can normally and effectively modulate body weight and metabolism.

Published studies demonstrate that the botanically derived phytochemical, isolated and purified single-peak Isoquinoline Alkaloid Berberine Hel, specifically and potently inhibits human Protein Tyrosine Phosphates 1B (PTP1 B).