Dr. Goodyear

Excellent review of the current literature on Testosterone and cardiovascular disease as well as a brief discussion of the flaws in the recent published articles pointing to increased CVD with Testosterone therapy.

Interesting study. In this study group, 36% of type II diabetes with ED had low Testosterone.  This fits with the estimated 40% of those with Diabetes have low T. What is really interesting about this study is that the degree of improvement with ED by Sildenfafil was dependent on the Testosterone level in the low T group.  Meanining that Testosterone therapy in these men would probably be more of a therapy directed at the cause and not Sildenafil.  Of course, the Testosterone therapy would benefit glucose regulation as well documented in the literature.

Gut dysbiosis can be the cause of chronic inflammation that results in metabolic syndrome.  This can be, in part, precipitated by delivery, breast feeding, and diet.

Great discussion of the gut brain connection.

Cesarean delivery and lack of breast feeding significantly alter gut flora.  This has potential significant metabolic consequences--diabetes, asthma, obesity...The urge to deliver at convenient times may lay the foundation for our metabolic crisis in the US.

good, detailed discussion of HPAG signaling with a focus on the role of Kisspeptin--a GNRH secretagogue.

Good, although brief, discussion of the interaction between metabolism and hormones.  Kisspeptin is a GNRH secreatagogue "upstream".   Insulin, Leptin, and Gherlin can inhibit GNRH through resistance and low levels.  Probably a U shaped graph of optimal activity.

Cholesterol metabolite linked to increased breast cancer risk through estrogen receptor signaling.  The metabolite is 27-hydorxycholesterol.

Another support point for Estrogen as a cause of low Testosterone.  This animal study points to signaling of Estradiol through ER alpha.  This study found high expression of ER alpha and subsequent signaling by E2 decreased cAMP and Nur77 transcription factor.  Nur77 increases steroid synthesis.  This was confirmed with ER alpha knockout mice.

mouse study finds that long-term cipro can lead to biochemical disruption of the testicles resulting in infertility, effected sperm counts, and decreased Testosterone.

Tribulus found to increase sex hormone production in opiate addicted male rats.  Opiates are known causes of low T in men.

Study looked at muscle loss in older men and found that low activity, type II diabetes, low Total Testosterone and low free Testosterone, and increased PTH are associated with an increased muscle loss 

meta-analysis finds that omega-3 fatty acids decrease CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha.

Study that followed breast screening for 25 years with mammograms finds that no decrease in mortality from regular mammograms.

BCAA improve NH3 metabolism.  This is via muscle metabolism as reported in other studies.  This study highlighted the differences in BCAA supplementation.  One caveat is that high glutamine is the result from glutamate and this can increase hepatic encephalopathy.

Muscle becomes the primary mode of NH3 metabolism in liver cirrhosis.  The authors here propose that it is via an increase in muscle mass rather than specifically lowering NH3.  In fact, there is an early increase in NH3 production.

BCAA aid NH3 metabolism in the muscle in those with liver cirrhosis.  This specifically can aid hepatic encephalopathy and mild hepatic encephalopathy.

Good review of the effects of BCAA on ammonia metabolism.  BCAA increase intramuscular NH3 production through the production of alpha-ketoglutarate.

BCAA are low in patients with liver cirrhosis due to increased glutamate production from glutamine.  The addition of BCAA in these patients is not without side effects--increased NH3 production.  The addition of alpha ketoglutarate should alleviate this risk.

Author describes the long-term survival of a man with metastatic pancreatic cancer using IV alpha lipoic acid, low dose naltrexone, diet, and oral triple therapy of milk thistle, ALA, and selenium.  The safety profile is very good as compared to traditional therapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer.