scholarly journals Obesity and Hypogonadism—A Narrative Review Highlighting the Need for High-Quality Data in Adolescents

Children ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasnim Mushannen ◽  
Priscilla Cortez ◽  
Fatima Cody Stanford ◽  
Vibha Singhal
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clomiphene Citrate ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Male Hypogonadism ◽  
Hpg Axis ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Sexual Characteristics

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise in adult and pediatric populations throughout the world. Obesity has a direct impact on all organ systems, including the reproductive system. This review summarizes current knowledge about the effects of obesity on the male reproductive system across age, highlighting the need for more data in children and adolescents. Male hypogonadism is commonly seen in patients with obesity and affects the onset, duration, and progression of puberty. Different pathophysiologic mechanisms include increased peripheral conversion of testosterone to estrone and increased inflammation due to increased fat, both of which lead to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotropin (HPG) axis and delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics in adolescent males. Evaluation of the HPG axis in obesity includes a thorough history to exclude other causes of hypogonadism and syndromic associations. Evaluation should also include investigating the complications of low testosterone, including increased visceral fat, decreased bone density, cardiovascular disease risk, and impaired mood and cognition, among others. The mainstay of treatment is weight reduction, but medications such as testosterone and clomiphene citrate used in adults, remain scarcely used in adolescents. Male hypogonadism associated with obesity is common and providers who care for adolescents and young adults with obesity should be aware of its impact and management.

scholarly journals The Role of the Gastric Hormones Ghrelin and Nesfatin-1 in Reproduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11059
Author(s):  
Martha A. Schalla ◽  
Andreas Stengel
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Gastric Mucosa ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Peptide Hormones ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Hpg Axis ◽  
Physiological Systems

Ghrelin and nesfatin-1 are enteroendocrine peptide hormones expressed in rat X/A-like and human P/D1cells of the gastric mucosa. Besides their effect on food intake, both peptides are also implicated in various other physiological systems. One of these is the reproductive system. This present review illustrates the distribution of ghrelin and nesfatin-1 along the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, their modulation by reproductive hormones, and effects on reproductive functions as well as highlighting gaps in current knowledge to foster further research.

Retinoic Acid and the Gut Microbiota in Alzheimer’s Disease: Fighting Back-to-Back?

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 405-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Endres
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Retinoid Signaling ◽  
Retinoid Metabolism ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
The Brain

Background: There is growing evidence that the gut microbiota may play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, how these commensals influence disease risk and progression still has to be deciphered. Objective: The objective of this review was to summarize current knowledge on the interplay between gut microbiota and retinoic acid. The latter one represents one of the important micronutrients, which have been correlated to Alzheimer’s disease and are used in initial therapeutic intervention studies. Methods: A selective overview of the literature is given with the focus on the function of retinoic acid in the healthy and diseased brain, its metabolism in the gut, and the potential influence that the bioactive ligand may have on microbiota, gut physiology and, Alzheimer’s disease. Results: Retinoic acid can influence neuronal functionality by means of plasticity but also by neurogenesis and modulating proteostasis. Impaired retinoid-signaling, therefore, might contribute to the development of diseases in the brain. Despite its rather direct impact, retinoic acid also influences other organ systems such as gut by regulating the residing immune cells but also factors such as permeability or commensal microbiota. These in turn can also interfere with retinoid-metabolism and via the gutbrain- axis furthermore with Alzheimer’s disease pathology within the brain. Conclusion: Potentially, it is yet too early to conclude from the few reports on changed microbiota in Alzheimer’s disease to a dysfunctional role in retinoid-signaling. However, there are several routes how microbial commensals might affect and might be affected by vitamin A and its derivatives.

Metabolic and genetic factors modulating subject specific LDL-C responses to plant sterol therapy1This article is an invited review for the Journal's Made In Canada section. The authors gratefully acknowledge the training that was acquired at the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, University of Manitoba. We would specifically like to thank Dr. Peter Jones for his mentorship and significant contribution to the research contained within this manuscript.

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd C. Rideout ◽  
Scott V. Harding ◽  
Dylan S. Mackay
Keyword(s):  
Plant Sterol ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Cholesterol Absorption ◽  
Plant Sterols ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption

Reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption with plant sterol consumption is a well-characterized strategy to lower LDL-C and potentially reduce cardiovascular disease risk. However, over 50 years of clinical research demonstrate that there is significant heterogeneity in the individual LDL-C lowering response to plant sterol therapy. A clear understanding of why plant sterols work effectively in some individuals but not in others will ensure optimal integration of plant sterols in future personalized nutritional lipid-lowering strategies. This review will examine the current knowledge base surrounding the metabolic and genetic determinants of LDL-C lowering in response to plant sterol consumption.

scholarly journals Myocarditis in COVID-19 presenting with cardiogenic shock: a case series

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Purdy ◽  
Firas Ido ◽  
Stacie Sterner ◽  
Eric Tesoriero ◽  
Tokunbo Matthews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiogenic Shock ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Viral Myocarditis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Late Presentation ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Organ Systems

Abstract Background SARS-CoV2, also known as COVID-19, is a specific strain of coronavirus that is responsible for an ongoing global pandemic. COVID-19 primarily targets the respiratory system via droplet transmission, causing symptoms similar to influenza, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. It is now known to impact other organ systems, causing significant cardiovascular and gastrointestinal illness, among others. Case summary We describe two cases of COVID-19 induced myocarditis presenting with cardiogenic shock. These cases highlight the importance of understanding the lethal cardiac complications of COVID-19 infection, as well as its presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and potential treatment options. These two cases involve patients without underlying cardiovascular disease risk factors who experienced prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Both patients presented with cardiogenic shock more than one week after symptom onset and diagnosis. These cases demonstrate the late presentation of myocarditis and cardiogenic shock, treated with corticosteroids and inotropes, with subsequent recovery of cardiac function. Discussion The cases highlight the importance of recognizing late presentation viral myocarditis secondary to COVID-19 infection, even in patients without underlying cardiac disease.

scholarly journals CARDIOVASCULAR RISK SCREENING SERVICES IN SUDANESE COMMUNITY PHARMACIES

2019 ◽  
pp. 98-102
Author(s):  
SUMIA S MOHAMED ◽  
DALIA A BALLAL
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the Sudanese community pharmacists' knowledge and practice of cardiovascular disease risk assessment services.Methods: The study was conducted as a non-interventional, descriptive, cross sectional community-pharmacy based survey.Results: The Response rate was 91%. The obese and the elderly received the highest ratings for cardiovascular disease risk assessment. Hypertension, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus and ages >55 and 36-55 years were mostly targeted for screening. Variable responses were reported regarding the type of fasting lipid profile that is screened. One third of the participants claimed to have screening evaluation forms. Most participants had the appropriate equipment for screening but only a few had cholesterol measures. Only 27% reported the use of cardiovascular risk charts or calculator for the evaluation. Overwhelming majority had no documentation records and the most available reference was the BNF.Conclusion: The current knowledge and practice of cardiovascular disease risk assessment is poor and need fundamental development. Community pharmacy practice in the Sudan is still product oriented. These services were provided by respondents on voluntary bases without full knowledge or appropriate training on proper assessment and evaluation of the risks that they measured. This needs to change if pharmacy’s potential is to be reached. Collaboration between health authorities and universities is essential to acknowledge the new roles of the pharmacist and provide the appropriate knowledge and training needed to promote and implement the change process that is required.

scholarly journals Ceramide Biomarkers Predictive of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Increase in Healthy Older Adults After Bed Rest

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1663-1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan J Petrocelli ◽  
Alec I McKenzie ◽  
Ziad S Mahmassani ◽  
Paul T Reidy ◽  
Gregory J Stoddard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Bed Rest ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Risk Increase ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Health Complications

Abstract Acute bed rest places older adults at risk for health complications by disrupting homeostasis in many organ systems, including the cardiovascular system. Circulating ceramides are emerging biomarkers predictive of cardiovascular and metabolic health and have recently been shown to be sensitive indices of cardiovascular (CV) risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize the time course of changes in circulating ceramides in healthy younger and older adults after 5 days of bed rest and to determine whether short-term bed rest alters CV-related circulating ceramides. We hypothesized that circulating ceramides predictive of poor cardiometabolic outcomes would increase following 5 days of bed rest. Thirty-five healthy younger and older men and women (young: n = 13, old: n = 22) underwent 5 days of controlled bed rest. Fasting blood samples collected daily during the course of bed rest were used to measure circulating ceramides, lipoproteins, adiponectin, and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels. The primary findings were that circulating ceramides decreased while ceramide ratios and the cardiac event risk test 1 score were increased primarily in older adults, and these findings were independent of changes in circulating lipoprotein levels. Additionally, we found that changes in circulating adiponectin, FGF21 and the 6-minute walk test (6MW) inversely correlated with CV-related circulating ceramides after bed rest. The results of this study highlight the sensitivity of circulating ceramides to detect potential CV dysfunction that may occur with acute physical disuse in aging.

scholarly journals The consensus recommendations of a group of international experts on the fundamental concepts related to the issues of testosterone deficiency and its treatment.

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-31
Author(s):  
Abraham Morgentaler ◽  
M. Zitzmann ◽  
A. M. Traish ◽  
A. W. Fox ◽  
T. H. Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Risk ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Male Hypogonadism ◽  
Testosterone Deficiency ◽  
Testosterone Therapy ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Research Initiative

Conference on the development of the international expert consensus to address frequently asked questions related to a medical condition of testosterone deficiency (TD, male hypogonadism) and testosterone therapy was held in Prague (Czech Republic) on October 1, 2015. The included experts were representatives from a variety of medical specialties, including urology, endocrinology, diabetology, internal medicine, as well as representatives of basic medical sciences. An international team of experts came to the following conclusions: TD - an important medical condition that affects the health and well-being of men; TD symptoms is a consequence of low testosterone levels, regardless of whether background etiology installed; TD consequences are global; care must be taken in an attempt to use any uniform threshold levels of testosterone for a decision on the appointment of testosterone therapy; a person does not have any reason to refrain from appointing testosterone therapy only on the basis of age; the existing evidence does not suggest increasing the prostate cancer or cardiovascular disease risk during testosterone therapy; there is evidence conserning the feasibility of a major research initiative to explore possible cardioprotective beneficial effects of testosterone therapy in men with metabolic disorders, including diabetes.

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