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High Dexamethasone Dose Test For Severely Ill Covid Patients - 0 views

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    British scientists said on Thursday (December 30) they would be studying whether higher doses of a cheap and widely used steroid called dexamethasone could work better for patients with severe Covid-19 compared to the standard low doses. Last year, the same scientists conducting the large trial, dubbed RECOVERY, showed that dexamethasone was able to save the lives of Covid-19 patients in what was called a "major breakthrough" in the coronavirus pandemic. They had found that a 6 mg daily dose of dexamethasone, which is used to reduce inflammation in diseases such as arthritis, cut death rates by around a third among the most severely ill Covid-19 patients in hospitals. "Given how quickly the Omicron variant is spreading, we can expect to see patients admitted to hospital with severe Covid-19 for a while to come," said Peter Horby, an Oxford University professor co-leading the trial.
Nathan Goodyear

Testosterone and the Cardiovascular System: A Comprehensive Review of the Clinical Lite... - 0 views

  • Low endogenous bioavailable testosterone levels have been shown to be associated with higher rates of all‐cause and cardiovascular‐related mortality.39,41,46–47 Patients suffering from CAD,13–18 CHF,137 T2DM,25–26 and obesity27–28
  • have all been shown to have lower levels of endogenous testosterone compared with those in healthy controls. In addition, the severity of CAD15,17,29–30 and CHF137 correlates with the degree of testosterone deficiency
  • In patients with CHF, testosterone replacement therapy has been shown to significantly improve exercise tolerance while having no effect on LVEF
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  • testosterone therapy causes a shift in the skeletal muscle of CHF patients toward a higher concentration of type I muscle fibers
  • Testosterone replacement therapy has also been shown to improve the homeostatic model of insulin resistance and hemoglobin A1c in diabetics26,68–69 and to lower the BMI in obese patients.
  • Lower levels of endogenous testosterone have been associated with longer duration of the QTc interval
  • testosterone replacement has been shown to shorten the QTc interval
  • negative correlation has been demonstrated between endogenous testosterone levels and IMT of the carotid arteries, abdominal aorta, and thoracic aorta
  • These findings suggest that men with lower levels of endogenous testosterone may be at a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis.
  • Current guidelines from the Endocrine Society make no recommendations on whether patients with heart disease should be screened for hypogonadism and do not recommend supplementing patients with heart disease to improve survival.
  • The Massachusetts Male Aging Study also projects ≈481 000 new cases of hypogonadism annually in US men within the same age group
  • since 1993 prescriptions for testosterone, regardless of the formulation, have increased nearly 500%
  • Testosterone levels are lower in patients with chronic illnesses such as end‐stage renal disease, human immunodeficiency virus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, and several genetic conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome
  • A growing body of evidence suggests that men with lower levels of endogenous testosterone are more prone to develop CAD during their lifetimes
  • There are 2 major potential confounding factors that the older studies generally failed to account for. These factors are the subfraction of testosterone used to perform the analysis and the method used to account for subclinical CAD.
  • The biologically inactive form of testosterone is tightly bound to SHBG and is therefore unable to bind to androgen receptors
  • The biologically inactive fraction of testosterone comprises nearly 68% of the total testosterone in human serum
  • The biologically active subfraction of testosterone, also referred to as bioavailable testosterone, is either loosely bound to albumin or circulates freely in the blood, the latter referred to as free testosterone
  • It is estimated that ≈30% of total serum testosterone is bound to albumin, whereas the remaining 1% to 3% circulates as free testosterone
  • it can be argued that using the biologically active form of testosterone to evaluate the association with CAD will produce the most reliable results
  • English et al14 found statistically significant lower levels of bioavailable testosterone, free testosterone, and free androgen index in patients with catheterization‐proven CAD compared with controls with normal coronary arteries
  • patients with catheterization‐proven CAD had statistically significant lower levels of bioavailable testosterone
  • In conclusion, existing evidence suggests that men with CAD have lower levels of endogenous testosterone,13–18 and more specifically lower levels of bioavailable testosterone
  • low testosterone levels are associated with risk factors for CAD such as T2DM25–26 and obesity
  • In a meta‐analysis of these 7 population‐based studies, Araujo et al41 showed a trend toward increased cardiovascular mortality associated with lower levels of total testosterone, but statistical significance was not achieved (RR, 1.25
  • the authors showed that a decrease of 2.1 standard deviations in levels of total testosterone was associated with a 25% increase in the risk of cardiovascular mortality
  • the relative risk of all‐cause mortality in men with lower levels of total testosterone was calculated to be 1.35
  • higher risk of cardiovascular mortality is associated with lower levels of bioavailable testosterone
  • Existing evidence seems to suggest that lower levels of endogenous testosterone are associated with higher rates of all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality
  • studies have shown that lower levels of endogenous bioavailable testosterone are associated with higher rates of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality
  • It may be possible that using bioavailable testosterone to perform mortality analysis will yield more accurate results because it prevents the biologically inactive subfraction of testosterone from playing a potential confounding role in the analysis
  • The earliest published material on this matter dates to the late 1930s
  • the concept that testosterone replacement therapy improves angina has yet to be proven wrong
  • In more recent studies, 3 randomized, placebo‐controlled trials demonstrated that administration of testosterone improves myocardial ischemia in men with CAD
  • The improvement in myocardial ischemia was shown to occur in response to both acute and chronic testosterone therapy and seemed to be independent of whether an intravenous or transdermal formulation of testosterone was used.
  • testosterone had no effect on endothelial nitric oxide activity
  • There is growing evidence from in vivo animal models and in vitro models that testosterone induces coronary vasodilation by modulating the activity of ion channels, such as potassium and calcium channels, on the surface of vascular smooth muscle cells
  • Experimental studies suggest that the most likely mechanism of action for testosterone on vascular smooth muscle cells is via modulation of action of non‐ATP‐sensitive potassium ion channels, calcium‐activated potassium ion channels, voltage‐sensitive potassium ion channels, and finally L‐type calcium ion channels
  • Corona et al confirmed those results by demonstrating that not only total testosterone levels are lower among diabetics, but also the levels of free testosterone and SHBG are lower in diabetic patients
  • Laaksonen et al65 followed 702 Finnish men for 11 years and demonstrated that men in the lowest quartile of total testosterone, free testosterone, and SHBG were more likely to develop T2DM and metabolic syndrome.
  • Vikan et al followed 1454 Swedish men for 11 years and discovered that men in the highest quartile of total testosterone were significantly less likely to develop T2DM
  • authors demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the incidence of T2DM in subjects receiving gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonist therapy. In addition, a significant increase in the rate of myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden cardiac death, and development of cardiovascular disease was noted in patients receiving antiandrogen therapy.67
  • Several authors have demonstrated that the administration of testosterone in diabetic men improves the homeostatic model of insulin resistance, hemoglobin A1c, and fasting plasma glucose
  • Existing evidence strongly suggests that the levels of total and free testosterone are lower among diabetic patients compared with those in nondiabetics
  • insulin seems to be acting as a stimulant for the hypothalamus to secret gonadotropin‐releasing hormone, which consequently results in increased testosterone production. It can be argued that decreased stimulation of the hypothalamus in diabetics secondary to insulin deficiency could result in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
  • BMI has been shown to be inversely associated with testosterone levels
  • This interaction may be a result of the promotion of lipolysis in abdominal adipose tissue by testosterone, which may in turn cause reduced abdominal adiposity. On the other hand, given that adipose tissue has a higher concentration of the enzyme aromatase, it could be that increased adipose tissue results in more testosterone being converted to estrogen, thereby causing hypogonadism. Third, increased abdominal obesity may cause reduced testosterone secretion by negatively affecting the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐testicular axis. Finally, testosterone may be the key factor in activating the enzyme 11‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in adipose tissue, which transforms glucocorticoids into their inactive form.
  • increasing age may alter the association between testosterone and CRP. Another possible explanation for the association between testosterone level and CRP is central obesity and waist circumference
  • Bai et al have provided convincing evidence that testosterone might be able to shorten the QTc interval by augmenting the activity of slowly activating delayed rectifier potassium channels while simultaneously slowing the activity of L‐type calcium channels
  • consistent evidence that supplemental testosterone shortens the QTc interval.
  • Intima‐media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery is considered a marker for preclinical atherosclerosis
  • Studies have shown that levels of endogenous testosterone are inversely associated with IMT of the carotid artery,126–128,32,129–130 as well as both the thoracic134 and the abdominal aorta
  • 1 study has demonstrated that lower levels of free testosterone are associated with accelerated progression of carotid artery IMT
  • another study has reported that decreased levels of total and bioavailable testosterone are associated with progression of atherosclerosis in the abdominal aorta
  • These findings suggest that normal physiologic testosterone levels may help to protect men from the development of atherosclerosis
  • Czesla et al successfully demonstrated that the muscle specimens that were exposed to metenolone had a significant shift in their composition toward type I muscle fibers
  • Type I muscle fibers, also known as slow‐twitch or oxidative fibers, are associated with enhanced strength and physical capability
  • It has been shown that those with advanced CHF have a higher percentage of type II muscle fibers, based on muscle biopsy
  • Studies have shown that men with CHF suffer from reduced levels of total and free testosterone.137 It has also been shown that reduced testosterone levels in men with CHF portends a poor prognosis and is associated with increased CHF mortality.138 Reduced testosterone has also been shown to correlate negatively with exercise capacity in CHF patients.
  • Testosterone replacement therapy has been shown to significantly improve exercise capacity, without affecting LVEF
  • the results of the 3 meta‐analyses seem to indicate that testosterone replacement therapy does not cause an increase in the rate of adverse cardiovascular events
  • Data from 3 meta‐analyses seem to contradict the commonly held belief that testosterone administration may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer
  • One meta‐analysis reported an increase in all prostate‐related adverse events with testosterone administration.146 However, when each prostate‐related event, including prostate cancer and a rise in PSA, was analyzed separately, no differences were observed between the testosterone group and the placebo group
  • the existing data from the 3 meta‐analyses seem to indicate that testosterone replacement therapy does not increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events
  • the authors correctly point out the weaknesses of their study which include retrospective study design and lack of randomization, small sample size at extremes of follow‐up, lack of outcome validation by chart review and poor generalizability of the results given that only male veterans with CAD were included in this study
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      The authors here present Total Testosterone as a "confounding" value
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      This would be HSD-II
  • the studies that failed to find an association between testosterone and CRP used an older population group
  • low testosterone may influence the severity of CAD by adversely affecting the mediators of the inflammatory response such as high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor–α
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    Good review of Testosterone and CHD.  Low T is associated with increased all cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality, CAD, CHF, type II diabetes, obesity, increased IMT,  increased severity of CAD and CHF.  Testosterone replacement in men with low T has been shown to improve exercise tolerance in CHF, improve insulin resistance, improve HgbA1c and lower BMI in the obese.
Nathan Goodyear

Erectile dysfunction is a prognostic indicator of comorbidities in men with late onset ... - 1 views

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    Study finds that increasing severity of ED is associated with increasing components of Metabolic Syndrome in men with late onset hypogonadism.   The link is really just an increased severity of CVD in men with severe ED and low T.  ED is CVD in men.
fitspresso

https://www.fitspresso-co.com/ - 0 views

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    FitSpresso™ | Official Site fitspresso-co.com FitSpresso Only $39/Bottle Limited Time Offer! FitSpresso Special Deal + Special 51% Discount Save $660 + 180 Days Money Back Guarantee FitSpresso Herpesyl Five Star A dietary product formulated to assist users in reducing weight can increase other advantages that can support overall health. This product can assist users in getting closer to the desirable body weight. Regular Price: 149/per bottle Only for: $39/per bottle Buy Now What IsFitSpresso? FitSpresso is promoted as a natural supplement that comes in the form of diet pills, and it can aid in rapid and efficient weight loss, similar to many other supplements. The term "natural supplements refers to a nutritional supplement that is made entirely of natural, chemical-free materials. You can utilize these organic ingredients to aid in natural weight loss. It can speed up your body's metabolism and assist with other crucial processes. All parts of our bodies are impacted by weight increase, and not only do we need to deal with the increased weight, but we also need to deal with the numerous problems and illnesses that come along with it. This refers to the risk of developing chronic cardiac conditions, low blood pressure, and, in some circumstances, problems with blood sugar. However, FitSpresso even with its bright and bold claims, can help you efficiently manage your weight and completely avoid these extra uncomfortable problems. FitSpresso is a supplement that comes in the form of a pill, which makes it tasty, simple to swallow, and handy. According to the manufacturer, these diet tablets are GMO-free and toxic-free, making them edible. This is why we have things such as weight loss supplements. Thanks to modern advancements, we can just take a dietary supplement pill to bring about significant weight loss in a completely healthy and natural manner. Not only this, but dietary supplements can also support healthy blood sugar levels and help with
Nathan Goodyear

Obesity and Severe Obesity Forecasts Through 2030 - 0 views

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    Obesity rates expected to top 50% of the population by 2030.  The Severe obesity rate is expected at 11%, which sounds better, but the rate currently sits at 6.3%.  Overalls, obesity is expected to increase by 33% with those in the severe category increasing by 130%.  These type of numbers require a refocus on out methods of curbing this trend, because our current gimmick-based therapies are not working
Nathan Goodyear

JAMA Network | JAMA | Antidepressant Drug Effects and Depression Severity:  A... - 0 views

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    The benefits of anti-depressants in mild to moderate depression is no better than placebo.  However, in severe depression and with increasing severity, anti-depressants are better than placebo.
Nathan Goodyear

Elderly men over 65 years of age with late-onset hypogonadism benefit as much from test... - 0 views

  • The benefits of restoring serum testosterone in men with LOH were not significantly different between men older than 65 years of age and younger men. There were no indications that side effects were more severe in elderly men. The effects on prostate and urinary function and hematocrit were within safe margins.
  • obesity, but also impaired general health, are the more common causes of low testosterone in aging men
  • Severe LOH is associated with substantially higher risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality,
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  • advanced age, obesity, a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, and poor general health status were predictors of LOH
  • Diabetes mellitus was correlated with hypogonadism in most studies
  • coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease did not predict hypogonadism, they did correlate with the incidence of low testosterone
  • LOH can be defined by the presence of at least three sexual symptoms associated with a total testosterone level of less than 11 nmol/L (3.2 ng/mL) and a free testosterone level of less than 220 pmol/L (64 pg/mL)
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      the European Male Aging study defined low T as total < 320 ng/dl and free < 64 pg/ml.  
  • Mean weight decreased
  • Waist circumference decreased
  • Total cholesterol decreased
  • Low-density lipoprotein decreased
  • Triglycerides decreased
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased
  • ratio of total cholesterol to HDL improved
  • Prostate volume increased
  • PSA increased
  • The benefits for men older than 65 years of age were compared with those of younger men, and the improvements in body weight, metabolic factors, psychological functioning, and sexual functioning were of the same magnitude in both age groups
  • weight loss was progressive over the 6-year period, effects of testosterone on lipids and on psychological and sexual functioning reached a plateau after approximately 3 years and these effects were sustained
  • Effects of testosterone on hematopoiesis, on the prostate, and on bladder function were not more severe in older men than in younger men
  • observe a mild increase in prostate volume and serum PSA over time, which is a normal finding in aging men. Maybe somewhat surprising, postvoiding residue and the IPSS did not deteriorate with aging but showed a degree of improvement
  • the severity of the metabolic syndrome is associated with the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms
  • The symptoms of the metabolic syndrome improve upon testosterone treatment and testosterone may thus have a favorable effect on lower urinary tract symptoms
  • it seems reasonable to conclude that the risks of testosterone administration to elderly men are not disproportionately higher in elderly men than in younger men.
  • Despite evidence to the contrary, physicians still harbor a wrongful association between testosterone and the development of prostate pathology (prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia)
  • Not surprisingly, the incidence of prostate cancer was higher in older men; however, it was lower than expected in both groups
  • These observations suggest that the incidence of prostate cancer in patients receiving testosterone therapy, both in the younger and in the older group, was not greater than in the general population not receiving testosterone treatment
  • The historical fear that raising testosterone levels will result in more prostate cancer has been dispelled, particularly by the work of Abraham Morgentaler
  • Higher serum testosterone levels fail to show an increased risk of prostate cancer, and supraphysiological testosterone does not increase prostate volume or PSA in healthy men
  • This apparent paradox is explained by the "saturation model,"
  • Recent studies indicate no increased risk of prostate cancer among men with serum testosterone in the therapeutic range
  • In the present observational study, no cases of major adverse cardiovascular events occurred.
  • the benefits of testosterone therapy are fully achieved only by long-term treatment
  • To achieve maximal benefits, good patient adherence is a prerequisite
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    Study finds new difference in Testosterone benefits and/or side effects between men < 65 with low T and men > 65 with low T.
Nathan Goodyear

The implication of neuroactive steroids in Tourette syndrome pathogenesis: a ... - 0 views

  • The typical onset of TS occurs at 6–7 years of age and is characterized by the appearance of simple, recurrent motor tics, followed by the manifestation of phonic tics after several months [12]. In most children, TS symptoms undergo a progressive exacerbation, which reaches its zenith at the beginning of puberty (11–12 years of age), and is then followed by a gradual remission in the majority of patients
  • 30–40% of TS-affected children retain their symptoms in adulthood
  • Multiple neurotransmitters have been implicated in TS, including dopamine (DA), serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, glutamate and γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA)
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  • female gender may predict greater tic severity in adulthood
  • male gender is a major risk factor for TS (with a male:female prevalence ratio estimated at ~4:1)
  • the typical age of onset coincides with adrenarche (6–7 years old); symptoms increase in severity until the beginning of puberty (12 years old) and then undergo a spontaneous amelioration, which becomes apparent with the end of puberty (at 18–19 years of age)
  • TS is diagnosed later in females than males
  • ample evidence supports the involvement of DAergic dysfunctions in TS
  • a number of clinical observations showed that tics in TS patients could be exacerbated by anabolic androgens
  • steroidogenic enzymes and androgen receptors may serve as putative therapeutic targets for this disorder
  • Unlike males, tic severity is typically increased after puberty in females
  • 26% of females were found to experience exacerbation of tics in the estrogenic phase of the menstrual cycle, and this phenomenon was found to be correlated with increased tic severity at menarche
  • biochemical hallmark of adrenarche is the acquisition of 17,20 lyase activity by cytochrome P450 C17 (CYP17A1)
  • increased synthesis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione, which leads to the growth of axillary and pubic hair as well as enhancement in the oiliness of the skin
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    interesting read on hormones and tourette's.. Proposed that 5 alpha reductase activity is involved in worsening of tics.  This makes sense as Testosterone in men with low T is known to increase dopamine and dopaminergic dysfunction is known to play a role in tourette's;  the clinical presentation of girls vs boys is very different.  The authors of this article propose that 5 alpha reductase activity controls a back door method where by progesterone is converted to androgens.
Nathan Goodyear

Testosterone: a vascular hormone in health and disease - 0 views

  • Testosterone has beneficial effects on several cardiovascular risk factors, which include cholesterol, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation
  • In clinical studies, acute and chronic testosterone administration increases coronary artery diameter and flow, improves cardiac ischaemia and symptoms in men with chronic stable angina and reduces peripheral vascular resistance in chronic heart failure.
  • testosterone is an L-calcium channel blocker and induces potassium channel activation in vascular smooth muscle cells
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  • Animal studies have consistently demonstrated that testosterone is atheroprotective, whereas testosterone deficiency promotes the early stages of atherogenesis
  • there is no compelling evidence that testosterone replacement to levels within the normal healthy range contributes adversely to the pathogenesis of CVD (Carson &amp; Rosano 2011) or prostate cancer (Morgentaler &amp; Schulman 2009)
  • bidirectional effect between decreased testosterone concentrations and disease pathology exists as concomitant cardiovascular risk factors (including inflammation, obesity and insulin resistance) are known to reduce testosterone levels and that testosterone confers beneficial effects on these cardiovascular risk factors
  • Achieving a normal physiological testosterone concentration through the administration of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has been shown to improve risk factors for atherosclerosis including reducing central adiposity and insulin resistance and improving lipid profiles (in particular, lowering cholesterol), clotting and inflammatory profiles and vascular function
  • It is well known that impaired erectile function and CVD are closely related in that ED can be the first clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis often preceding a cardiovascular event by 3–5 years
  • no decrease in the response (i.e. no tachyphylaxis) of testosterone and that patient benefit persists in the long term.
  • free testosterone levels within the physiological range, has been shown to result in a marked increase in both flow- and nitroglycerin-mediated brachial artery vasodilation in men with CAD
  • Clinical studies, however, have revealed either small reductions of 2–3 mm in diastolic pressure or no significant effects when testosterone is replaced within normal physiological limits in humans
  • Endothelium-independent mechanisms of testosterone are considered to occur primarily via the inhibition of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels (VOCCs) and/or activation of K+ channels (KCs) on smooth muscle cells (SMCs)
  • Testosterone shares the same molecular binding site as nifedipine
  • Testosterone increases the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and enhances nitric oxide (NO) production
  • Testosterone also inhibited the Ca2+ influx response to PGF2α
  • one of the major actions of testosterone is on NO and its signalling pathways
  • In addition to direct effects on NOS expression, testosterone may also affect phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5 (PDE5A)) gene expression, an enzyme controlling the degradation of cGMP, which acts as a vasodilatory second messenger
  • the significance of the action of testosterone on VSMC apoptosis and proliferation in atherosclerosis is difficult to delineate and may be dependent upon the stage of plaque development
  • Several human studies have shown that carotid IMT (CIMT) and aortic calcification negatively correlate with serum testosterone
  • t long-term testosterone treatment reduced CIMT in men with low testosterone levels and angina
  • neither intracellular nor membrane-associated ARs are required for the rapid vasodilator effect
  • acute responses appear to be AR independent, long-term AR-mediated effects on the vasculature have also been described, primarily in the context of vascular tone regulation via the modulation of gene transcription
  • Testosterone and DHT increased the expression of eNOS in HUVECs
  • oestrogens have been shown to activate eNOS and stimulate NO production in an ERα-dependent manner
  • Several studies, however, have demonstrated that the vasodilatory actions of testosterone are not reduced by aromatase inhibition
  • non-aromatisable DHT elicited similar vasodilation to testosterone treatment in arterial smooth muscle
  • increased endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression and phosphorylation were observed in testosterone- and DHT-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells
  • Androgen deprivation leads to a reduction in neuronal NOS expression associated with a decrease of intracavernosal pressure in penile arteries during erection, an effect that is promptly reversed by androgen replacement therapy
  • Observational evidence suggests that several pro-inflammatory cytokines (including interleukin 1β (IL1β), IL6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), and highly sensitive CRP) and serum testosterone levels are inversely associated in patients with CAD, T2DM and/or hypogonadism
  • patients with the highest IL1β concentrations had lower endogenous testosterone levels
  • TRT has been reported to significantly reduce TNFα and elevate the circulating anti-inflammatory IL10 in hypogonadal men with CVD
  • testosterone treatment to normalise levels in hypogonadal men with the MetS resulted in a significant reduction in the circulating CRP, IL1β and TNFα, with a trend towards lower IL6 compared with placebo
  • parenteral testosterone undecanoate, CRP decreased significantly in hypogonadal elderly men
  • Higher levels of serum adiponectin have been shown to lower cardiovascular risk
  • Research suggests that the expression of VCAM-1, as induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα or interferon γ (IFNγ (IFNG)) in endothelial cells, can be attenuated by treatment with testosterone
  • Testosterone also inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL6, IL1β and TNFα in a range of cell types including human endothelial cells
  • decreased inflammatory response to TNFα and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human endothelial cells when treated with DHT
  • The key to unravelling the link between testosterone and its role in atherosclerosis may lay in the understanding of testosterone signalling and the cross-talk between receptors and intracellular events that result in pro- and/or anti-inflammatory actions in athero-sensitive cells.
  • testosterone functions through the AR to modulate adhesion molecule expression
  • pre-treatment with DHT reduced the cytokine-stimulated inflammatory response
  • DHT inhibited NFκB activation
  • DHT could inhibit an LPS-induced upregulation of MCP1
  • Both NFκB and AR act at the transcriptional level and have been experimentally found to be antagonistic to each other
  • As the AR and NFκB are mutual antagonists, their interaction and influence on functions can be bidirectional, with inflammatory agents that activate NFκB interfering with normal androgen signalling as well as the AR interrupting NFκB inflammatory transcription
  • prolonged exposure of vascular cells to the inflammatory activation of NFκB associated with atherosclerosis may reduce or alter any potentially protective effects of testosterone
  • DHT and IFNγ also modulate each other's signalling through interaction at the transcriptional level, suggesting that androgens down-regulate IFN-induced genes
  • (Simoncini et al. 2000a,b). Norata et al. (2010) suggest that part of the testosterone-mediated atheroprotective effects could depend on ER activation mediated by the testosterone/DHT 3β-derivative, 3β-Adiol
  • TNFα-induced induction of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin as well as MCP1 and IL6 was significantly reduced by a pre-incubation with 3β-Adiol in HUVECs
  • 3β-Adiol also reduced LPS-induced gene expression of IL6, TNFα, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2 (PTGS2)), CD40, CX3CR1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, MMP9, resistin, pentraxin-3 and MCP1 in the monocytic cell line U937 (Norata et al. 2010)
  • This study suggests that testosterone metabolites, other than those generated through aromatisation, could exert anti-inflammatory effects that are mediated by ER activation.
  • The authors suggest that DHT differentially effects COX2 levels under physiological and pathophysiological conditions in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells and via AR-dependent and -independent mechanisms influenced by the physiological state of the cell
  • There are, however, a number of systematic meta-analyses of clinical trials of TRT that have not demonstrated an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events or mortality
  • The TOM trial, which was designed to investigate the effect of TRT on frailty in elderly men, was terminated prematurely as a result of an increased incidence of cardiovascular-related events after 6 months in the treatment arm
  • trials of TRT in men with either chronic stable angina or chronic cardiac failure have also found no increase in either cardiovascular events or mortality in studies up to 12 months
  • Evidence may therefore suggest that low testosterone levels and testosterone levels above the normal range have an adverse effect on CVD, whereas testosterone levels titrated to within the mid- to upper-normal range have at least a neutral effect or, taking into account the knowledge of the beneficial effects of testosterone on a series of cardiovascular risk factors, there may possibly be a cardioprotective action
  • The effect of testosterone on human vascular function is a complex issue and may be dependent upon the underlying androgen and/or disease status.
  • the majority of studies suggest that testosterone may display both acute and chronic vasodilatory effects upon various vascular beds at both physiological and supraphysiological concentrations and via endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms
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    Good deep look into the testosterone and CVD link.
Nathan Goodyear

Increased Vascular Inflammation in Early Menopausal Women Is Associated with Hot Flush ... - 0 views

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    increased inflammatory markers associated with increased hot flash severity in menopausal women.  This is also associated with increased cardiovascular disease. Interesting that progesterone has anti-inflammatory properties.  So, therapy to reduce hot flashes should include inflammation reduction.
Nathan Goodyear

Magnesium significantly improves severe acute asthma in children. - 0 views

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    IV magnesium shown to provide benefit in children with moderate/severe asthma.
Nathan Goodyear

Fatigue and serum testosterone in obstructive ... [Clin Respir J. 2014] - PubMed - NCBI - 0 views

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    Severe sleep apnea associated with lower Testosterone levels and fatigue.  The low level of Testosterone was the only factor predictive of fatigue and reduced activity in sleep apnea.  This was only found in severe sleep apnea, not mild cases.
Nathan Goodyear

Endocrine biomarkers and symptom clusters during t... [Menopause. 2014] - PubMed - NCBI - 0 views

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    Study finds that low estrogen, assuming estradiol, higher FSH, low epinephrine, higher norepinephrine are associated with severe hot flashes.  Of interesting note, Cortisol and Testosterone were not associated with symptom severity.
Nathan Goodyear

Testosterone and the Cardiovascular System: A Comprehensive Review of the Clinical Lite... - 0 views

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    Some startling statistics in this 2013 review on Testosterone in men.  Studies reflect an inverse relationship between Testosterone and CAD severity.  That is, the lower the Testosterone levels, the increase in severity of CAD. This same association was also found with CHF.  Low Testosterone is common in those with CAD, CHF, type II diabetes, increased IMT in carotids and aorta, and obesity when compared to "healthy" individuals.  Testosterone therapy in those with CAD found benefits: prolongation of ST segment depression, coronary vasodilation, improved exercise capacity in those with CHF, shift to type I muscle fibers, shorten the QTc interval.  Testosterone therapy has been shown to improve insulin resistance, improve HgbA1c and decrease waist circumference and fat loss in obese individuals.  Otherwise, a good review of the association between a declining Testosterone and cardiovascular disease.
Nathan Goodyear

Arch Dermatol -- Abstract: The Response of Skin Disease to Stress: Changes in the Sever... - 0 views

  • suggesting that emotional stress from external sources may have a significant influence on acne
  • changes in acne severity correlate highly with increasing stress
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    Stress increase severity of acne
Nathan Goodyear

Delayed-Onset Hemolytic Anemia in Patients with Travel-Associated Severe Malaria Treate... - 0 views

  • delayed hemolytic events occur in ≈20% of patients with severe imported malaria, and 60% of these patients require blood transfusion
  • Delayed-onset anemia (herein referred to as postartesunate delayed-onset hemolysis [PADH] pattern of anemia) has been observed to occur 2–3 weeks after initiation of IV artesunate
  • The mechanism of this anemia is hemolytic, as demonstrated by high serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and low plasma haptoglobin levels
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  • this side effect is associated with artesunate
  • PADH occurred in 27% of patients in this study, but it was rarely associated with severe anemia and was never fatal
  • median delayed drop in hemoglobin levels was 1.3 g/dL
  • This transfusion rate (&lt;5%) is markedly lower than that previously reported for patients with severe imported malaria and delayed-onset anemia (≈60%)
  • Side effects of artesunate frequently include gastrointestinal disturbances, neutropenia (1.3%), reticulocytopenia (0.6%), and elevated liver enzymes (1.1%)
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    artesunate
Nathan Goodyear

In vivo loss-of-function screens identify KPNB1 as a new druggable oncogene in epitheli... - 0 views

  • we functionally validated a potent EOC oncogene, KPNB1, and showed its clinical relevance to human EOC
  • a well-established antiparasitic drug, ivermectin, has antitumor effects on EOC through its inhibition of KPNB1
  • EOC has high intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity at the molecular and epigenetic levels
  • ...22 more annotations...
  • the mortality rate of EOC has not been significantly changed for several decades
  • Sequencing revealed that almost all tumors (96%) had mutations in TP53, which serves as a major driver of this cancer
  • Low-prevalence but statistically significant mutations in nine other genes including NF1, BRCA1, BRCA2, RB1, and CDK12 were also identified, but the majority of genes were mutated at low frequency, making it difficult to distinguish between driver and passenger mutations
  • KPNB1 inhibition via any of three KPNB1 siRNAs or importazole treatment induced apoptosis in human EOC cell lines (Fig. 3 A–F and Fig. S4), and was accompanied by an increase in the expression levels of the proapoptotic proteins BAX and cleaved caspase-3
  • Stable overexpression of KPNB1 in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 (Fig. S6) significantly accelerated cell proliferation/survival (Fig. 5 A–C), confirming that KPNB1 functions as an oncogene in EOC
  • KPNB1 overexpression significantly decreased caspase-3/7 activity (Fig. 5D), in addition to the expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and BAX proteins (Fig. 5E). KPNB1 overexpression also decreased p21 and p27 protein levels (Fig. 5E), as opposed to their increase by KPNB1 inhibition
  • KPNB1 functions as an antiapoptotic and proproliferative oncogene in EOC.
  • Patients with higher expression levels of KPNB1 showed earlier recurrence and worse prognosis than those with lower expression levels of KPNB1
  • KPNB1 acts as an oncogene in human EOC and represents a promising therapeutic target.
  • ivermectin treatment suppressed cell proliferation/viability in a dose-dependent manner (Fig. 7A), indicating that it exerts an antitumor effect on EOC
  • ivermectin also induced apoptosis
  • ivermectin increased the expression levels of BAX, and cleaved PARP, as well as p21 and p27
  • KPNB1 inhibition is responsible for the antitumor effect of ivermectin
  • we found that ivermectin synergistically reduced cell proliferation/viability in combination with paclitaxel in human EOC cells
  • Single treatment of ivermectin or paclitaxel reduced tumor growth in nude mice, but, notably, combination treatment of ivermectin and paclitaxel almost completely suppressed tumor growth
  • ERBB2, is amplified and overexpressed in many cancers, including breast (31), ovary (31), colon (32), bladder (33), non-small-cell lung (34), and gastric cancer (35), and is a poor prognostic factor in certain cancer types
  • KPNB1 was the second-highest-ranked gene identified in our screen
  • Increased KPNB1 protein levels have been reported in several cancers, including cervical cancer (42), hepatocellular carcinoma (43), and glioma (44), suggesting KPNB1’s oncogenic potential in these tumor types
  • our findings suggest that KPNB1 might serve as a master regulator of cell cycle by regulating several cell cycle-related proteins, including p21, p27, and APC/C family members
  • higher and/or more-frequent doses of ivermectin than currently approved for humans are well tolerated in humans
  • none of the mice in this study treated with the effective dosage of ivermectin for in vivo anticancer therapy showed severe adverse event
  • we found that the combination of ivermectin and paclitaxel produces a stronger antitumor effect on EOC cell lines than either drug alone
  •  
    Ivermectin found to be pro-apoptotic for the epithelial ovarian cancer oncogene, KPNB1 in in Vivo study.  This effective anti-parasitic drug inhibits the KPNB1 oncogene.
Nathan Goodyear

High Progesterone Receptor Expression in Prostate Cancer Is Associated with Clinical Fa... - 0 views

  • Currently, there is a general agreement of PGR presence in the stromal cells of PCa
  • expressed in both stromal and tumor cells of the PCa tissue
  • In univariate analysis, a high density level of PGR in both TE and TS was associated with CF
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • High density level of PGR in the TE was an independent prognostic factor for CF.
  • Our large-sized study demonstrates a wide distribution of PGR in stromal and epithelial cells of both benign and malignant prostate tissue
  • there seems to be a general agreement of PGR presence in the stromal cells of PCa
  • In line with our findings, several have also reported a high PGR expression in TE of PCa [9,10,23,25]. In contrast, others have demonstrated a total lack of PGR expression in TE
  • the actions of progesterone are tissue specific
  • In our work univariate analysis demonstrated a high PGR expression in TS to be associated with clinical failure in PCa patients. So far we have not yet demonstrated the mechanism underlying this association
  • Several non-genomic proliferative actions of progesterone have been proposed in tumor cells of other organs, including breast [35–37], astrocytoma [38] and osteosarcoma [39] cell lines. However, such results are contradicted by suggestions of anti-proliferative actions of progesterone in endometrial cancer
  • Yu et al. found PGR to be negatively regulating stromal cell proliferation in vitro
  • high PGR density level in TE was associated with CF in patients with Gleason score ≥ 7
  • Bonkhoff et al. have suggested progressive emergence of PGR during PCa progression and metastasis
  • Latil and co-workers found a decreased PGR expression in clinically localized tumors and increased PGR expression in hormone-refractory tumors, when compared with normal prostate tissue
  • Our findings provide further support to these findings, indicating that PGR plays a role in the pathogenesis of PCa
  • Ki67 and PGR in TE were correlated with CF (S3 Text), indicating an association between PGR and proliferative activity
  • The mechanism behind the PGR up-regulation in PCa has not yet been elucidated
  • The PGR is, like the glucocorticoid receptor, similar to androgen receptor with 88% sequence homology in the ligand-binding domain
  • progesterone induced expression of androgen receptor-regulated genes could be a potential mechanism contributing to the development of castrate resistant PCa
  • A possibility of different roles by the two PGR isoforms in normal prostate tissue and PCa, as is suggested for the estrogen receptors [13], must also be taken into account
  •  
    STudy finds that increased Progesterone receptor expression on epithelial and stromal cells is associated with increased clinical failure of therapy.  Several proposed mechanisms: 88% homologous with androgen receptor suggesting cross-stimulation and via progesterone induced increased androgen receptor gene stimulation i.e. epigenetics.
Nathan Goodyear

NETosis and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in COVID-19: Immunothrombosis and Beyond - PMC - 0 views

  • Pneumonia is a typical symptom of COVID-19 infection, while acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure are common in severe COVID-19 patients
  • NETs are important for preventing pathogen invasion, their excessive formation can result in a slew of negative consequences, such as autoimmune inflammation and tissue damage
  • SARS-CoV-2 infection has also been linked to increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, which is associated with disease severity and clinical prognosis
  • ...40 more annotations...
  • NETosis is a special form of programmed cell death in neutrophils, which is characterized by the extrusion of DNA, histones, and antimicrobial proteins in a web-like structure known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      Definition
  • increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a crucial intracellular process that causes NETosis
  • Another indirect route of SARS-CoV-2-induced NET production is platelet activation
  • When NETs are activated in the circulation, they can also induce hypercoagulability and thrombosis
  • In COVID-19, major NET protein cargos of NETs (i.e., NE, MPO, and histones) are significantly elevated.
  • SARS-CoV-2 can also infect host cells through noncanonical receptors such as C-type lectin receptors
  • Immunopathological manifestations, including cytokine storms and impaired adaptive immunity, are the primary drivers behind COVID-19, with neutrophil infiltration being suggested as a significant cause
  • NETosis and NETs are increasingly recognized as causes of vascular injury
  • SARS-CoV-2 and its components (e.g., spike proteins and viral RNA) attach to platelets and increase their activation and aggregation in COVID-19, resulting in vascular injury and thrombosis, both of which are linked to NET formation
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      Connects SARS-CoV-2 to TLR on Platelets to NETosis to metastasis.
  • NET formation may be caused by activated platelets rather than SARS-CoV-2 itself
  • NETosis, leading to aberrant immunity such as cytokine storms, autoimmune disorders, and immunosuppression.
  • early bacterial coinfections were more prevalent in COVID-19 patients than those infected with other viruses
  • NETosis and NETs may also have a role in the development of post COVID-19 syndromes, including lung fibrosis, neurological disorders, tumor growth, and worsening of concomitant disease
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      NETosis-> tumor growth
  • NETs and other by-products of NETosis have been shown to act as direct inflammation amplifiers. Hyperinflammation
  • “cytokine storm”
  • SARS-CoV-2 drives NETosis and NET formation to allow for the release of free DNA and by-products (e.g., elastases and histones). This may trigger surrounding macrophages and endothelial cells to secrete excessive proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which, in turn, enhance NET formation and form a positive feedback of cytokine storms in COVID-19
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      Cycle of hyperinflammation
  • NET release enables self-antigen exposure and autoantibody production, thereby increasing the autoinflammatory response
  • patients with COVID-19 who have higher anti-NET antibodies are more likely to be detected with positive autoantibodies [e.g., antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)]
  • COVID-19 NETs may act as potential inducers for autoimmune responses
  • have weakened adaptive immunity as well as a high level of inflammation
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      Immunomodulation
  • tumor-associated NETosis and NETs promote an immunosuppressive environment in which anti-tumor immunity is compromised
  • NETs have also been shown to enhance macrophage pyroptosis in sepsis
  • facilitating an immunosuppressive microenvironment
  • persistent immunosuppression may result in bacterial co-infection or secondary infection
  • can enhance this process by interacting with neutrophils through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), platelet factor 4 (PF4), and extracellular vesicle-dependent processes
  • NET-induced immunosuppression in COVID-19 in the context of co-existing bacterial infection
  • Following initial onset of COVID-19, an estimated 50% or more of COVID-19 survivors may develop multi-organ problems (e.g., pulmonary dysfunction and neurologic impairment) or have worsening concomitant chronic illness
  • NETs in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of severe COVID-19 patients cause EMT in lung epithelial cells
  • decreased E-cadherin (an epithelial marker) expression
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      Leads to emt
  • COVID-19 also has a long-term influence on tumor progression
  • Patients with tumors have been shown to be more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent development of severe COVID-19
  • patients who have recovered from COVID-19 may have an increased risk of developing cancer or of cancer progression and metastasis
  • awaken cancer cells
  • NETs have been shown to change the tumor microenvironment
  • enhance tumor progression and metastasis
  • vitamin C has been tested in phase 2 clinical trials aimed at reducing COVID-19-associated mortality by reducing excessive activation of the inflammatory response
  • vitamin C is an antioxidant that significantly attenuates PMA-induced NETosis in healthy neutrophils by scavenging ROS
  • vitamin C may also inhibit NETosis and NET production in COVID-19
  • Metformin
  • Vitamin C
  •  
    NETosis intimately involved in progressive COVID, long COVID, autoimmunity, and cancer
fitspresso

https://www.thefastleanpro.us/ - 0 views

  •  
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