Associations of endogenous sex hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin with lipid profiles in aged Japanese men and women.

BACKGROUND: The associations of endogenous estrogen with lipid profiles and insulin resistance were conflicting in both men and women. We determined the associations of serum estradiol level and free estradiol index (FEI) with lipid profiles and insulin resistance in aged Japanese men and women. METHODS: One hundred seventy-four men and 208 postmenopausal women aged from 50 to 85 y were included in this study. Lipid profiles, fasting glucose and insulin as well as estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in serum were measured. RESULTS: Serum estradiol concentration in men showed a significant and negative correlation with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and a significant and positive correlation with triglyceride (TG) after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI). In addition, estradiol level was positively correlated with insulin and HOMA index. In women, serum levels of estradiol and testosterone were not correlated with lipid profiles and insulin resistance. SHBG concentration was negatively correlated with TG after adjustment for age and BMI in women. CONCLUSION: Endogenous estradiol level is associated with unfavorable lipid profiles and insulin resistance in aged men. In aged women, SHBG level is associated with favorable lipid profiles.

Associations of adiponectin with sex hormone-binding globulin levels in aging male and female populations.

BACKGROUND: Changes with aging in serum gonadal hormones, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and adiponectin, which are involved in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, are different in men and women. We examined the relationships of serum adiponectin concentrations with serum concentrations of hormones and SHBG in men and women. METHODS: One hundred fifty-four men and 180 women aged from 50 to 85 years were included in the cross-sectional study. Serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, SHBG and adiponectin were measured in men and women. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin concentration showed a significant positive correlation with serum SHBG concentration in men and women (r=0.404, p<0.0001 and r=0.348, p<0.0001, respectively). Multiple regression analysis also showed that SHBG was the significant predictor for adiponectin in men and women. Serum adiponectin concentration in men showed a significant positive correlation with total testosterone concentration, but that in women was not significantly correlated with total testosterone concentration. Both adiponectin and SHBG concentrations in men (r=-0.222, p=0.0051 and r=-0.334, p<0.0001, respectively) and women (r=-0.281, p=0.0014 and r=-0.251, p=0.0048, respectively) showed significant negative correlations with the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. CONCLUSION: Correlations between adiponectin and SHBG were significantly positive in both men and women, and both adiponectin and SHBG might be involved in insulin resistance in both sexes.

Differences in sensitivity to cold in Japanese men and postmenopausal women aged > or =50 years.

BACKGROUND: Sensitivity to cold is associated with several factors, such as aging, sex, and body composition. However, no previous studies have examined the differences in sensitivity to cold in men and women or the association of hormonal levels with sensitivity to cold. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to clarify both the change in sensitivity to cold with aging and the difference in sensitivity to cold between men and women. Associations were also examined between circulating hormonal concentrations and the changes with aging and differences in sensitivity. METHODS: This population-based cohort study enrolled healthy Japanese men and women aged > or = 50 years. A standardized 210-item health questionnaire was used to obtain information on symptoms of sensitivity to cold. Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. RESULTS: Of the 154 men and 180 women enrolled in this study, more women than men had sensitivity to cold. Whereas the percentage of men who had sensitivity to cold significantly increased with aging (P < 0.05), the percentage of women who had sensitivity to cold was already high (23.7%) at 50 to 60 years of age and did not change with aging. In men, advancing age and low body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with sensitivity to cold (P < 0.05); however, age and BMI in women were not similarly associated. In addition, the effect of sex after adjustment for age was significant (P < 0.05), and there was also a numeric but nonsignificant effect of sex after adjustment for BMI. In men, low serum levels of the gonadal hormone FSH were significantly associated with sensitivity to cold in logistic analysis, but this association was nonsignificant after multivariate analysis. Serum concentrations of gonadal hormones and SHBG in women were not associated with sensitivity to col. CONCLUSIONS: The association of age with sensitivity to cold was different in men and women; the association of BMI with sensitivity to cold might be different in men and women. In addition, these changes in sensitivity to cold were not associated with circulating hormonal concentrations.

[Three cases of recurrent gastric cancer responding to TS-1 therapy following combination therapy with 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C and cisplatin].

We report three patients with recurrent gastric cancer responding to TS-1 therapy after combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C and cisplatin. All 3 cases had undergone total gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer. Postoperative follow-up computed tomography (CT) showed liver metastases (cases 1 and 3), peritoneal dissemination (case 2) and enlargement of paraaortic lymph nodes (case 1) due to cancer recurrence. After 2 to 4 courses of combined treatment with 5-fluorouracil (500-750 mg/body/day, days 1-5, civ), mitomycin C (6-8 mg/body, day 6) and cisplatin (60-80 mg/body, day 7), CT revealed considerable reduction of the metastatic tumors. Subsequently oral administration of TS-1 (80-100 mg/body/day) for 4 weeks was performed. All 3 patients are well without any signs of increase in tumor size.