scholarly journals Higher testosterone is associated with increased inflammatory markers in women with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: preliminary results from an observational study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Di Stasi ◽  
G. Rastrelli ◽  
F. Inglese ◽  
M. Beccaria ◽  
M. Garuti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Threshold Effect ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Inflammatory Status ◽  
Respiratory Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Adjusted Model ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Purpose Objective of this study was to assess the association between testosterone (T) levels and biochemical markers in a cohort of female patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection in a respiratory intensive care unit (RICU). Methods A consecutive series of 17 women affected by SARSCoV-2 pneumonia and recovered in the RICU of the Hospital of Mantua were analyzed. Biochemical inflammatory markers as well as total testosterone (TT), calculated free T (cFT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined. Results TT and cFT were significantly and positively associated with PCT, CRP, and fibrinogen as well as with a worse hospital course. We did not observe any significant association between TT and cFT with LH; conversely, both TT and cFT showed a positive correlation with cortisol. By LOWESS analysis, a linear relationship could be assumed for CRP and fibrinogen, while a threshold effect was apparent in the relationship between TT and procalcitonin, LDH and ferritin. When the TT threshold value of 1 nmol/L was used, significant associations between TT and PCT, LDH or ferritin were observed for values above this value. For LDH and ferritin, this was confirmed also in an age-adjusted model. Similar results were found for the association of cFT with the inflammatory markers with a threshold effect towards LDH and ferritin with increased LDH and ferritin levels for values above cFT 5 pmol/L. Cortisol is associated with serum inflammatory markers with similar trends observed for TT; conversely, the relationship between LH and inflammatory markers had different trends. Conclusion Opposite to men, in women with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, higher TT and cFT are associated with a stronger inflammatory status, probably related to adrenal cortex hyperactivity,

scholarly journals Hypogonadism and liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Quiros-Roldan ◽  
T. Porcelli ◽  
L. C. Pezzaioli ◽  
M. Degli Antoni ◽  
S. Paghera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pituitary Dysfunction ◽  
Consequent Reduction ◽  
Secondary Hypogonadism ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Purpose Hypogonadism is frequent in HIV-infected men and might impact on metabolic and sexual health. Low testosterone results from either primary testicular damage, secondary hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, or from liver-derived sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG) elevation, with consequent reduction of free testosterone. The relationship between liver fibrosis and hypogonadism in HIV-infected men is unknown. Aim of our study was to determine the prevalence and type of hypogonadism in a cohort of HIV-infected men and its relationship with liver fibrosis. Methods We performed a cross-sectional retrospective study including 107 HIV-infected men (median age 54 years) with hypogonadal symptoms. Based on total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone, and luteinizing hormone, five categories were identified: eugonadism, primary, secondary, normogonadotropic and compensated hypogonadism. Estimates of liver fibrosis were performed by aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores. Results Hypogonadism was found in 32/107 patients (30.8%), with normogonadotropic (10/107, 9.3%) and compensated (17/107, 15.8%) being the most frequent forms. Patients with secondary/normogonadotropic hypogonadism had higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0001). Patients with compensated hypogonadism had longer HIV infection duration (p = 0.031), higher APRI (p = 0.035) and FIB-4 scores (p = 0.008), and higher HCV co-infection. Univariate analysis showed a direct significant correlation between APRI and TT (p = 0.006) and SHBG (p = 0.002), and between FIB-4 and SHBG (p = 0.045). Multivariate analysis showed that SHBG was independently associated with both liver fibrosis scores. Conclusion Overt and compensated hypogonadism are frequently observed among HIV-infected men. Whereas obesity is related to secondary hypogonadism, high SHBG levels, related to liver fibrosis degree and HCV co-infection, are responsible for compensated forms.

scholarly journals The analog free testosterone assay: are the results in men clinically useful?

1998 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 2178-2182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J Winters ◽  
David E Kelley ◽  
Bret Goodpaster
Keyword(s):  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Testosterone Concentration ◽  
Low Testosterone ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Constant Percentage

Abstract Men with low testosterone concentrations are usually hypogonadal. However, because variations in the testosterone transport protein, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), directly influence the total testosterone concentration, confirmation of a low testosterone with a measurement of free testosterone or “bioavailable” testosterone (BAT) is recommended. In the present study, we examined the relationship of SHBG with free testosterone (Coat-A-Count assay, Diagnostic Products) and with BAT in men (n = 29) and women (n = 28) who participated in a study of the metabolic determinants of body composition. As expected, total testosterone was strongly positively correlated with SHBG among men (r = 0.68; P &lt;0.01). Although the BAT was independent of SHBG in men (r = 0.02), SHBG was an important predictor of free testosterone (r = 0. 62; P &lt;0.01). In contrast, in women serum concentrations of total testosterone (r = −0.26; P = 0.17), free testosterone (r = −0.30; P = 0.17), and BAT (r = −0.46; P = 0.013) all tended to be lower with increasing SHBG. Free testosterone was nearly perfectly positively correlated with total testosterone (r = 0.97) in men, among whom free testosterone represented a relatively constant percentage of the total testosterone (0.5–0.65%), and the percentage of free testosterone was unrelated to SHBG. Thus the Coat-A-Count free testosterone concentration in men, like the total testosterone concentration, is determined in part by plasma SHBG. Accordingly, androgen deficiency may be misclassified with this assay in men with low SHBG. Moreover, the previous findings of reduced free testosterone concentrations with hypertension or hyperinsulinemia or as a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, conditions in which SHBG is reduced, may have been methodology-related.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Neuroticism and Inflammatory Markers: A Twin Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur A. Sas ◽  
Frühling V. Rijsdijk ◽  
Johan Ormel ◽  
Harold Snieder ◽  
Harriëtte Riese
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Inflammatory Marker ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Inflammatory Status ◽  
Physical Disorders ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Important Marker

Introduction: Neuroticism is an important marker of vulnerability for both mental and physical disorders. Its link with multiple etiological pathways has been studied before. Inflammatory markers have been demonstrated to predict similar mental and physical disorders as neuroticism. However, currently no study has focused on the shared genetic background of neuroticism and inflammatory markers. In the present study we will focus on the phenotypic and genetic relationship between neuroticism and three commonly used inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and Immunoglobulin-G (IgG). Material and Methods: The study was conducted in 125 Dutch female twin pairs. For each participant, four different neuroticism scores were available to calculate a neuroticism composite score that was used in the statistical analyses. Blood samples for inflammatory marker determination were taken after an overnight fast. Heritabilities, phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated using bivariate structural equation modeling. Results: Heritabilities are fair for neuroticism (0.55), CRP (0.52) and fibrinogen (0.67) and moderate for IgG (0.43). No significant phenotypic or genetic correlations were found between neuroticism and the inflammatory markers. Interaction models yielded no moderation of the genetic and environmental pathways in the regulation of inflammatory markers by neuroticism. Conclusion: Substantial heritabilities were observed for all variables. No evidence was found for significant shared (or moderation of) genetic or environmental pathways underlying neuroticism and inflammatory status.

scholarly journals Liver iron overload is associated with elevated SHBG concentration and moderate hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism in dysmetabolic men without genetic haemochromatosis

2011 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Gautier ◽  
Fabrice Lainé ◽  
Catherine Massart ◽  
Laure Sandret ◽  
Xavier Piguel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Overload ◽  
Iron Concentration ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Liver Iron ◽  
Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism ◽  
Liver Iron Overload ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Hormonal Levels

AimsTo assess the relation between moderate iron overload on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels and gonadotroph function in men with dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome and the effects of phlebotomy.MethodsThe relationship between magnetic resonance imaging assessed liver iron concentration (LIC) and plasma ferritin levels with total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone (BT), SHBG and LH levels, were studied in 50 men with moderate dysmetabolic iron excess, in the absence of genetic haemochromatosis, who were randomised to phlebotomy therapy or to normal care.ResultsFour patients (8%) had low total testosterone (<10.4 nmol/l) and 13 patients (26%) had low BT (<2.5 nmol/l). In the entire population, those with LIC above the median (90 μmol/l) had a higher mean SHBG (P=0.028), lower LH (P=0.039) than those with LIC below the median. In multivariable analysis (adjusted for age, and fasting insulin) LIC was significantly associated with SHBG (positively) and LH (negatively). Patients in the highest quartile of SHBG had higher LIC (P=0.010) and higher ferritinaemia (P=0.012) than those in the three other quartiles. Iron depletion by venesection did not significantly improve any hormonal levels.ConclusionsHypogonadism is not infrequent in men with dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome. Liver iron excess is associated with increased plasma SHBG and moderate hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Phlebotomy therapy needs further investigation in symptomatic hypogonadal men with dysmetabolic iron excess.

Relationship of hemostasis indicators with the dynamics of steroid hormones in healthy test volunteers in 120-day isolation in a hermetic facility

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 811-814
Author(s):  
Dmitry S. Kuzichkin ◽  
Svetlana A. Chistokhodova
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
International Normalized Ratio ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Free Androgen Index ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction. Evaluation of the relationship between hemostasis and steroid hormones is an important area of research due to the high risk of hemorrhages and, especially, thromboembolic complications in their abnormal state, but this has not been practically studied in long-term isolation. The aim of study was to study the relationship between hemostasis and steroid hormones of participants in 120 - day isolation in a hermetic object. Materials and methods. Before, 3 times during and on the 7th day after 120-day isolation, venous blood samples were taken from the international crew members (3 men and 3 women) to measure the concentrations of cortisol, aldosterone, total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, determine the free androgen index, and evaluate 9 hemostasis indicators. Results. In conditions of long-term isolation, the relationship of steroid hormones with the activity of the procoagulant hemostasis link and the state of the plasmin and antiplasmin systems was revealed. Conclusions. Anthropometric and hormonal parameters in isolation were significantly correlated with the dynamics of the international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, plasminogen, α2-antiplasmin and protein C, and the gender of the subjects significantly affected only the activity of α2-antiplasmin, and the age of volunteers and the dynamics of testosterone had the most pronounced effect on hemostasis in isolation.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Relationship between the Levels of Androgens and Biochemical Bone Markers in Men Aged 60–75 Years

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Rył ◽  
Aleksandra Szylińska ◽  
Alina Jurewicz ◽  
Andrzej Bohatyrewicz ◽  
Tomasz Miazgowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Markers ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Biochemical Bone Markers ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the parameters of bone turnover and the levels of hormonal parameters, such as total testosterone (TT), bioavailable and free testosterone (FT), and estradiol (E2) in men. Material and methods: The study group included 63 men with testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS). The control group consisted of 112 patients without TDS. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of osteocalcin (OC), parathyroid hormone (PTH), E2, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), insulin (I), Serum CrossLaps (CtX-I), human procollagen I N-terminal peptide (PINP), and TT. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The groups with TSD and without TDS differed in terms of the following parameters: body weight (p = 0.001), BMI (p = 0.003), TT (p = 0.001), FT (p = 0.004), bioavailable testosterone (p = 0.001), E2 (p = 0.003), SHBG (p = 0.003), and PINP (p = 0.004). In the group without TDS, higher PINP levels were accompanied by higher levels of E2 (beta = 0.360, p = 0.002) and TT (beta = 0.389, p = 0.001). In the group without TDS, PINP was positively correlated with E2 (beta = 0.726, p <0.001). Patients with TDS had significantly lower PINP levels (p < 0.004). Conclusions: Analysis of sex hormones and biochemical bone markers in reflecting the quality of the bone tissue in men may suggest a relationship between these parameters. Nevertheless, further research based on a larger sample size is necessary to better describe this relationship.

scholarly journals Debt-Growth Nexus in the MENA Region: Evidence from a Panel Threshold Analysis

Economies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Mohammed Daher Alshammary ◽  
Zulkefly Abdul Karim ◽  
Norlin Khalid ◽  
Riayati Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Public Debt ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Threshold Effect ◽  
Threshold Estimation ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Mena Countries ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Relationship

This study examines whether a debt-to-GDP threshold exists in the public debt and economic growth relationship for 20 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries from 1990 to 2016 using the threshold estimation technique. The empirical results reveal that there is a threshold effect in the public debt and economic growth relationship. The MENA region’s debt-to-GDP threshold value as a developing region is lower than the debt threshold computed by earlier studies for developing countries. We found that the effect of public debt on economic growth is significant and positive only below the threshold value of debt-to-GDP. More precisely, debt has a promoting influence on economic growth when the debt is less than 58% of the GDP. This finding indicates that the relationship between public debt and economic growth is contingent on the debt-to-GDP ratio. Importantly, policymakers need to be more prudent when establishing a policy regarding debt issues.

scholarly journals Body Composition and Its Impact on the Hormonal Disturbances in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4217
Author(s):  
Anna Bizoń ◽  
Sylwia Płaczkowska ◽  
Justyna Niepsuj ◽  
Marta Czwojdzińska ◽  
Marcin Leśniewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Roc Analysis ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Entire Group ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Hormone Concentration ◽  
Luteinizing Hormones ◽  
The Relationship

We investigated the relationship between selected body composition (BC) parameters and included 55 women diagnosed with PCOS and 29 women in which PCOS was excluded. Hormone concentration and BC parameters were assessed during hospitalization. Women with PCOS had higher concentration of luteinizing hormones, total testosterone, androstenedione, and Anti-Müllerian hormones compared to women that were not diagnosed with PCOS. We did not observe any significant differences in the BC parameters between both groups as well as between four PCOS phenotype subgroups. Only in the group of women with PCOS was the concentration of sex hormone binding globulin and free testosterone correlated with all investigated BC parameters. Correspondence analysis did not confirm unambiguously associations between phenotypes of PCOS and the value of BC parameters, while logistic regression revealed that increased Anti-Müllerian hormone concentration and the value of body mass index could be useful parameters in differentiating women with PCOS and women with other disorders. The ROC analysis performed on the entire group of women also confirmed that the concentration of Anti-Müllerian hormones could be a powerful parameter to categorize women as suffering from PCOS.

scholarly journals The Threshold Effect of FDI on Regional Innovation Capability— From the Perspective of Intellectual Property Protection

2021 ◽  
Vol 275 ◽  
pp. 03023
Author(s):  
Wencong Li
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Threshold Effect ◽  
Intellectual Property Protection ◽  
Innovation Capability ◽  
Regional Innovation ◽  
Threshold Regression Model ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

As one of the important channels of technology spillover, foreign direct investment (FDI) has a significant impact on regional innovation capability, which is restricted by the intensity of intellectual property protection. In order to explore the relationship between these three factors, this paper constructs a nonlinear threshold regression model based on China’s provincial panel data from 2009 to 2018, and empirically analyzes the threshold effect of FDI on regional innovation capability with the intensity of intellectual property protection as the threshold variable. The results show that the impact of FDI on regional innovation capability has a significant single threshold effect of intellectual property protection intensity. Only when the intensity of intellectual property protection remains near the threshold value, can FDI promote regional innovation capability to the greatest extent.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Relationship Between Advanced Oxidation end Products and Inflammatory Markers in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-30
Author(s):  
Zeki Aydin ◽  
Serhat Karadag ◽  
Savas Ozturk ◽  
Meltem Gursu ◽  
Sami Uzun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Serum Iron ◽  
Advanced Oxidation ◽  
Intravenous Iron ◽  
Inflammatory Status ◽  
Iron Treatment ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction Increased oxidative stress and blunted anti-oxidant mechanisms are important problems in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act directly on proteins, leading to the formation of oxidized amino acids. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) are among these substances. Many oxidant substances increase the level of AOPP. Iron is an element with strong oxidant capacity, especially when used intravenously. It is thought that iron treatment further increases the oxidative stress in HD patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between AOPP and inflammatory status in HD patients. Materials and Methods Patients who were on maintenance HD program without additional co-morbidities and no history of use of intravenous iron within the last two weeks were recruited in the study. The blood samples taken just before the dialysis session were analyzed for AOPP, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), ß2-microglobulin, fibrinogen, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels besides routine biochemical measurements and complete blood count. Results The number of patients included in the study was 102 (n: 53 female, %52.0) and the mean age was 47.6±13.9 years. The mean transferrin saturation was 25.4%. AOPP levels, iron use in patients was higher compared to patients who do not use (respectively 2.58±0.19 mmol/l and 2.50 ±0.16mmol/l, p = 0.046). We did not detect statistically significant correlation of AOPP levels with iron parameters and other inflammatory markers. Conclusion The present study showed that intravenous iron therapy does not increase oxidative stress. Although serum AOPP level was higher in patients on intravenous iron treatment, it was not correlated with iron indices and inflammatory markers. So, intravenous iron may exert its oxidant effect free from serum iron indices.

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