Healthy Men (healthy + man)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Wintertime Vitamin D Supplementation Inhibits Seasonal Variation of Calcitropic Hormones and Maintains Bone Turnover in Healthy Men,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009
Heli T Viljakainen
Abstract Vitamin D is suggested to have a role in the coupling of bone resorption and formation. Compared with women, men are believed to have more stable bone remodeling, and thus, are considered less susceptible to the seasonal variation of calcitropic hormones. We examined whether seasonal variation exists in calcitropic hormones, bone remodeling markers, and BMD in healthy men. Furthermore, we determined which vitamin D intake is required to prevent this variation. Subjects (N = 48) were healthy white men 21,49 yr of age from the Helsinki area with a mean habitual dietary intake of vitamin D of 6.6 ± 5.1 (SD) ,g/d. This was a 6-mo double-blinded vitamin D intervention study, in which subjects were allocated to three groups of 20 ,g (800 IU), 10 ,g (400 IU), or placebo. Fasting blood samplings were collected six times for analyses of serum (S-)25(OH)D, iPTH, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and TRACP. Radial volumetric BMD (vBMD) was measured at the beginning and end of the study with pQCT. Wintertime variation was noted in S-25(OH)D, S-PTH, and S-TRACP (p < 0.001, p = 0.012, and p < 0.05, respectively) but not in S-BALP or vBMD in the placebo group. Supplementation inhibited the winter elevation of PTH (p = 0.035), decreased the S-BALP concentration (p < 0.05), but benefited cortical BMD (p = 0.09) only slightly. Healthy men are exposed to wintertime decrease in vitamin D status that impacts PTH concentration. Vitamin D supplementation improved vitamin D status and inhibited the winter elevation of PTH and also decreased BALP concentration. The ratio of TRACP to BALP shows the coupling of bone remodeling in a robust way. A stable ratio was observed among those retaining a stable PTH throughout the study. A daily intake of vitamin D in the range of 17.5,20 ,g (700,800 IU) seems to be required to prevent winter seasonal increases in PTH and maintain stable bone turnover in young, healthy white men. [source]


Adverse trends in male reproductive health: we may have reached a crucial ,tipping point'

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 2 2008
A.-M. Andersson
Summary Healthy men produce an enormous number of sperms, far more than necessary for conception. However, several studies suggest that semen samples where the concentration of sperms is below 40 mill/mL may be associated with longer time to pregnancy or even subfertility, and specimens where the concentration of sperms is below 15 mill/mL may carry a high risk of infertility. Historic data from the 1940s show that the bulk of young men at that time had sperm counts far above 40 mill/mL with averages higher than 100 mill/mL. However, recent surveillance studies of young men from the general populations of young men in Northern Europe show that semen quality is much poorer. In Denmark approximately 40 percent of the men have now sperm counts below 40 mill/mL. A simulation assuming that average sperm count had declined from 100 mill/mL in ,old times' to a current level close to 40 mill/mL indicated that the first decline in average sperm number of 20,40 mill/mL might not have had much effect on pregnancy rates, as the majority of men would still have had counts far above the threshold value. However, due to the assumed decline in semen quality, the sperm counts of the majority of 20 year old European men are now so low that we may be close to the crucial tipping point of 40 mill/mL spermatozoa. Consequently, we must face the possibility of more infertile couples and lower fertility rates in the future. [source]


Wintertime Vitamin D Supplementation Inhibits Seasonal Variation of Calcitropic Hormones and Maintains Bone Turnover in Healthy Men,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009
Heli T Viljakainen
Abstract Vitamin D is suggested to have a role in the coupling of bone resorption and formation. Compared with women, men are believed to have more stable bone remodeling, and thus, are considered less susceptible to the seasonal variation of calcitropic hormones. We examined whether seasonal variation exists in calcitropic hormones, bone remodeling markers, and BMD in healthy men. Furthermore, we determined which vitamin D intake is required to prevent this variation. Subjects (N = 48) were healthy white men 21,49 yr of age from the Helsinki area with a mean habitual dietary intake of vitamin D of 6.6 ± 5.1 (SD) ,g/d. This was a 6-mo double-blinded vitamin D intervention study, in which subjects were allocated to three groups of 20 ,g (800 IU), 10 ,g (400 IU), or placebo. Fasting blood samplings were collected six times for analyses of serum (S-)25(OH)D, iPTH, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and TRACP. Radial volumetric BMD (vBMD) was measured at the beginning and end of the study with pQCT. Wintertime variation was noted in S-25(OH)D, S-PTH, and S-TRACP (p < 0.001, p = 0.012, and p < 0.05, respectively) but not in S-BALP or vBMD in the placebo group. Supplementation inhibited the winter elevation of PTH (p = 0.035), decreased the S-BALP concentration (p < 0.05), but benefited cortical BMD (p = 0.09) only slightly. Healthy men are exposed to wintertime decrease in vitamin D status that impacts PTH concentration. Vitamin D supplementation improved vitamin D status and inhibited the winter elevation of PTH and also decreased BALP concentration. The ratio of TRACP to BALP shows the coupling of bone remodeling in a robust way. A stable ratio was observed among those retaining a stable PTH throughout the study. A daily intake of vitamin D in the range of 17.5,20 ,g (700,800 IU) seems to be required to prevent winter seasonal increases in PTH and maintain stable bone turnover in young, healthy white men. [source]


Isokinetic and isometric muscle strength in a healthy population with special reference to age and gender

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2009
B. Danneskiold-Samsøe
Abstract Aim:, Muscle strength is an excellent indicator of general health when based on reliable measurements. Muscle strength data for a healthy population are rare or non-existent. The aim of the present study was to measure a set of normal values for isometric and isokinetic muscle strength for all the major joint movements of the body and, from these data, to create a basis for comparison of the muscle strength of an individual with the expected value in a normal population. Methods:, A randomly selected group, aged 20,80 years, from the Copenhagen City Heart Study were studied. The group was subgrouped according to age and gender. Isometric and isokinetic muscle strength was measured in each subject across the main joints in the body. A statistical model was developed that encompassed the three main muscle groups: upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs. Results:, Muscle strength in healthy men decreases in a linear fashion from the age of 25 years down to between 54% and 89% at the age of 75 years, and seems not highly dependent on any other parameter than age. For women, the muscle strength is dependent on weight and is only related to age from around 40 years of age. The decrease in muscle strength from the age around 40 to 75 years is 48,92%. For most muscle groups, men are 1.5,2 times stronger than women, with the oldest men having strength similar to that observed among the youngest women. Conclusion:, We developed a model to compare the isometric and isokinetic muscle strength of all the major joint movements of an individual with values for a healthy man or woman at any age in the range of 20,80 years. In all age groups, women have lower muscle strength than men. Men's muscle strength declines with age, while women's muscle strength declines from the age of 41 years. [source]


A case report of systemic capillary leak syndrome (Clarkson's disease)

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2010
J. HOLLENBERG
Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a very rare disorder also known as Clarkson's disease. The condition is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe capillary hyperpermeability resulting in severe hemoconcentration, hypoalbuminemia, hypovolemia and shock. We describe a 41-year-old previously healthy man who was admitted to hospital on several occasions with rapidly developing hypovolemic shock accompanied by extreme hemoconcentration and hypoalbuminemia. Our case is similar to other reports describing patients with SCLS where the initial suspicions have been pointing towards septic shock. He received a combination of prophylactic treatment with theophylline, ,-agonists, immunoglobulins and statins but eventually died after a severe episode of SCLS that ended with recurrent cardiac arrest. Clinical autopsy revealed pulmonary edema and acute and chronical organic fluid overload. SCLS should be kept in mind when treating patients suffering from attacks of severe idiopathic edema and mimics recurrent septic shock where no pathogen is found. The pathogenesis is unknown and the attacks may be lethal. [source]


Propranolol Intoxication Revealing a Brugada Syndrome

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
PHILIP AOUATE M.D.
This is the first report of Brugada syndrome revealed by beta-blocker intoxication. A 24-year-old healthy man ingested propranolol (2.28 g) to commit suicide. After early gastric lavage, electrolytes, cardiac enzymes, chest X-ray, and echocardiography were normal. Dosages of psychotropic drugs were negative. ECG showed a typical coved-type pattern of Brugada syndrome. Follow-up showed partial ECG normalization of the discrete saddleback-type pattern. The ajmaline- test confirmed Brugada syndrome. These ECG modifications may be explained by the stabilizing membrane effect of high concentration of propranolol and/or inhibition of ICaL. This case illustrates the possible deleterious effects of beta-blockers in patients with Brugada syndrome. [source]


Combination regimen of methylprednisolone, IV immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis early in the treatment of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 4 2006
Rommel P. Lu
Abstract Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of the disease is of paramount importance; however, treatment options are limited because only case reports and small series are available in the literature. We report a case of a 42 year-old previously healthy man, whom we treated successfully with a combination regimen of methyprednisolone, IV immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis early in the course of the disease. J. Clin. Apheresis 21: 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Pachydermoperiostosis and psoriatic onychopathy: an unusual association

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
P Fietta
ABSTRACT A 33-year-old man, suffering from cutaneous psoriasis since the age of 16, in the last 6 years experienced slow and painless enlargement at his fingertips and later at his big toes, which resulted in digital clubbing. Since the age of 31, the patient also presented psoriatic nail changes involving all his fingernails, without joint pain or inflammation. The patient's family history was negative for psoriasis, however, his brother, a 29-year-old healthy man, also presented digital clubbing. The diagnosis of pachydermoperiostosis coexistent with ungual and cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis vulgaris was made. The differential diagnosis with psoriatic onycho-pachydermo-periostitis, as well as other clinical conditions that involve the distal interphalangeal joints is discussed. [source]


Urethral Corpus Spongiosum Amyloidosis Presenting with Urethrorrhagia During Erection

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009
Luigi Cormio MD
ABSTRACT Introduction., Urethral amyloidosis is a rare, probably inflammatory condition usually presenting with hematuria and obstructive urinary symptoms, thus mimicking urethral malignancy. After histological confirmation of the diagnosis, treatment can be expectant or symptomatic. Aim., To report an unusual cause of urethrorrhagia occurring only during erection in an otherwise healthy man. Methods., A 30-year-old man presented with a 5-month history of urethrorrhagia occurring only during erection, and with a painless palpable nodule in his penile urethra clearly visible on urethral US and magnetic resonance imaging, but not on urethroscopy. Results., The patient underwent wide surgical excision of the urethral nodule and grafting of the urethral defect with a pedicled preputial flap. Histological examination revealed isolated amyloid of urethral corpus spongiosum. Conclusions., Isolated urethrorrhagia during erection and without urinary symptoms can be the presenting sign of urethral amyloidosis involving corpus spongiosum rather than the urethral lumen; in such cases, surgical exploration, wide urethral excision and grafting are mandatory. Cormio L, Sanguedolce F, Pentimone S, Perrone A, Annese P, Turri FP, Bufo P, and Carrieri G. Urethral corpus spongiosum amyloidosis presenting with urethrorrhagia during erection. J Sex Med 2009;6:2915,2917. [source]


CASE REPORTS: Xanthogranulomatous Inflammation of Corpus Cavernosum

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2007
Young Seo III MD
ABSTRACT Introduction., Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is a rare, chronic destructive inflammatory lesion. The pathological finding is typically lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration, surrounded by accumulating lipid-laden macrophages. Methods., A 65-year-old healthy man presented with a 3-week history of a painless palpable mass in the penis. Results., The patient underwent an excision of the mass with a tunica albuginea, and a graft from the tunica vaginaglis. Histopathological findings showed the diffuse xanthogranulomatous inflammation. Conclusions., Xanthogranulomatous inflammation of corpus cavernosum in old men is a rare condition. The inflammatory mass should be treated by complete excision and graft. Seo IY, Jo HJ, and Rim JS. Xanthogranulomatous inflammation of corpus cavernosum. J Sex Med 2007;4:1763,1765. [source]


Curvularia,favorable response to oral itraconazole therapy in two patients with locally invasive phaeohyphomycosis

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 12 2003
A. SafdarArticle first published online: 12 DEC 200
Curvularia species are ubiquitous and occasionally lead to infections in humans. In immunosuppressed patients, infections are often serious, and systemic dissemination is not uncommon. The optimal antifungal therapy is unclear. I here present two cases, a healthy man with locally invasive, mulicentric paranasal fungal sinusitis, and a case of progressive verrucal distal onychomycosis that developed while the patient was undergoing accelerated chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Both patients showed excellent responses to treatment with itraconazole suspension. Oral itraconazole may provide a safe and effective alternative for patients with locally invasive non-disseminated mycoses due to Curvularia species. [source]


Hyperoxia-induced arterial compliance decrease in healthy man

CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 1 2005
Pascal Rossi
Summary Introduction:, Oxygen therapy is commonly used in emergency department and intensive care units without careful evaluation of its effects, especially on the haemodynamics and artery characteristics. Materials and methods:, A prospective laboratory study evaluated brachial circulatory effects of normobaric hyperoxia using ultrasonography-Doppler. The study was set in a hospital research laboratory. The subjects were thirteen healthy volunteers. Investigations were performed under normal air ventilation and after 20 min of hyperoxic mixture ventilation using a high concentration mask. Two dimensional images and brachial blood flow velocities were recorded using ultrasonography and pulsed Doppler to study changes in cross sectional area, blood flow, resistance index, and cross-sectional compliance coefficient. Results:, During hyperoxic exposure, mean PaO2 was 372 ± 21 mmHg. A significant decrease of heart rate was observed. Arterial pressures (systolic and diastolic arterial pressures) were not modified. A decrease of cross sectional areas at end diastole and end systole was observed. Pulsed Doppler study showed a decrease of brachial artery blood flow and an increase of the resistance index. Furthermore, a decrease of the cross-sectional compliance coefficient was observed during hyperoxic exposure in all subjects. Conclusion:, This study using two-dimensional ultrasonography and pulsed Doppler could demonstrate an increase in brachial arterial tone and a decrease in brachial blood flow under normobaric hyperoxia. [source]


Relationship between breathing and cardiovascular function at rest: sex-related differences

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010
B. G. Wallin
Abstract Aim:, To compare relationships at rest between breathing rate, levels of muscle sympathetic nerve activity, total peripheral resistance and cardiac output among young men and women. Methods:, Recordings were made of respiratory movements, sympathetic nerve activity (peroneal microneurography), intra-arterial blood pressure, electrocardiogram, cardiac output (open-circuit acetylene uptake technique) in 19 healthy men (age 27 ± 2 years, mean ± SEM) and 17 healthy women (age 25 ± 1 years). Total peripheral resistance and stroke volume were calculated. Four minutes epochs of data were analysed. Results:, Breathing rates and sympathetic activity were similar in men and women but compared to men, women had significantly lower blood pressures, cardiac output and stroke volume. In men breathing rate correlated positively with sympathetic activity (r = 0.58, P < 0.05) but not in women (r = 0.12, P > 0.05). Furthermore, in men, respiratory rate correlated positively with total peripheral resistance (r = 0.65, P < 0.05) and inversely with cardiac output (r = ,0.84, P < 0.05) and heart rate (r = ,0.60, P < 0.05) but there were no such relationships in women (P > 0.05 for all). Conclusions:, The positive relationship between breathing and sympathetic activity in men, and the inverse coupling of breathing to cardiac output and heart rate suggest that influences of respiration may be important not only for dynamic but also for ,tonic' cardiovascular function. The lack of relationships among these variables in women shows that there are fundamental differences in basic blood pressure regulation between the sexes. [source]


The adaptive responses in several mediators linked with hypertrophy and atrophy of skeletal muscle after lower limb unloading in humans

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2009
K. Sakuma
Abstract Aim:, To determine the adaptive changes in several molecules regulating muscle hypertrophy and atrophy after unloading, we examined whether unilateral lower limb suspension changes the mRNA and protein levels of SRF-linked (RhoA, RhoGDI, STARS and SRF), myostatin-linked (myostatin, Smad2, Smad3 and FLRG) and Foxo-linked (P-Akt, Foxo1, Foxo3a and Atrogin-1) mediators. Methods:, A single lower limb of each of eight healthy men was suspended for 20 days. Biopsy specimens were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle pre- and post-suspension. Results:, The volume of the vastus lateralis muscle was significantly decreased after unloading. The amount of RhoA, RhoGDI or SRF protein in the muscle was not significantly changed post-suspension. An RT-PCR semiquantitative analysis showed increased levels of myostatin mRNA but not Smad2, Smad3 or FLRG mRNA. Unloading did not elicit significant changes in the amount of p-Smad3 or myostatin protein in the muscle. The amount of p-Akt protein was markedly reduced in the unloaded muscle. Lower limb suspension did not influence the expression pattern of Foxo1, Foxo3a or Atrogin-1. Conclusion:, Unloading inducing a mild degree of muscle atrophy may decrease p-Akt and increase myostatin but not SRF-linked mediators. [source]


No effect of venoconstrictive thigh cuffs on orthostatic hypotension induced by head-down bed rest

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2000
M.-A. Custaud
Orthostatic intolerance (OI) is the most serious symptom of cardiovascular deconditioning induced by head-down bed rest or weightlessness. Wearing venoconstrictive thigh cuffs is an empirical countermeasure used by Russian cosmonauts to limit the shift of fluid from the lower part of the body to the cardio-cephalic region. Our aim was to determine whether or not thigh cuffs help to prevent orthostatic hypotension induced by head-down bed rest. We studied the effect of thigh cuffs on eight healthy men. The cuffs were worn during the day for 7 days of head-down bed rest. We measured: orthostatic tolerance (stand tests and lower body negative pressure tests), plasma volume (Evans blue dilution), autonomic influences (plasma noradrenaline) and baroreflex sensitivity (spontaneous baroreflex slope). Thigh cuffs limited the loss of plasma volume (thigh cuffs: ,201 ± 37 mL vs. control: ,345 ± 42 mL, P < 0.05), the degree of tachycardia and reduction in the spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity induced by head-down bed rest. However, the impact of thigh cuffs was not sufficient to prevent OI (thigh cuffs: 7.0 min of standing time vs. control: 7.1 min). Decrease in absolute plasma volume and in baroreflex sensitivity are known to be important factors in the aetiology of OI induced by head-down bed rest. However, dealing with these factors, using thigh cuffs for example, is not sufficient to prevent OI. Other factors such as venous compliance, microcirculatory changes, peripheral arterial vasoconstriction and vestibular afferents must also be considered. [source]


Insulin, insulin propeptides and intima-media thickness in the carotid artery in 58-year-old clinically healthy men.

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 2 2002
Insulin Resistance study (AIR), The Atherosclerosis
Abstract Aims To examine the relationship between specific (intact) insulin, insulin propeptides and subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods A cross-sectional study based on a stratified sampling of randomly selected, clinically healthy 58-year-old men (n = 391). Ultrasound examinations of the carotid arteries were performed with measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery and in the carotid artery bulb. Fasting, cross-reacting plasma insulin (RIA), specific (intact) insulin, proinsulin, 32,33 split proinsulin and C-peptide were measured. Results Plasma concentrations of cross-reacting plasma insulin, specific insulin, proinsulin, 32,33 split proinsulin and C-peptide were univariately associated with common carotid artery IMT. Established risk factors such as blood pressure, smoking, apoB, triglycerides, body mass index (BMI), and waist,hip ratio were also related to IMT. After adjustment for smoking, apoB, blood pressure and triglycerides, cross-reacting plasma insulin, proinsulin and C-peptide but not specific insulin and split 32,33 proinsulin remained associated with carotid artery IMT. No associations remained after adjustment for BMI. Conclusions Fasting plasma proinsulin, C-peptide, and insulin by cross-reacting RIA was associated with common carotid artery IMT independent of several conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis. The multicollinearity between the insulin peptides and propeptides makes it difficult to clarify the exact role of each peptide. [source]


Comparison of in vivo effects of nitroglycerin and insulin on the aortic pressure waveform

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 1 2004
J. Westerbacka
Abstract Background, Individuals whose platelets are resistant to the antiaggregatory effects of insulin in vitro are also resistant to the antiaggregatory effects of nitroglycerin (GTN). We have previously shown that insulin acutely diminishes central wave reflection in large arteries and that this action of insulin is blunted in insulin-resistant subjects. However, as yet, no studies have compared the haemodynamic effects of insulin and GTN on large arterial function in the same group of subjects. The aim of this study was to determine whether resistance to the haemodynamic effects of insulin is a defect specific to insulin or whether individuals resistant to the vascular actions of insulin are also resistant to GTN. Design and results, Dose,response characteristics of insulin and GTN on the aortic waveform were determined using applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis (PWA) in seven healthy men (age 26 ± 1 year, BMI 25 ± 2 kg m,2). Three doses of sublingual GTN (500 µg for 1, 3 or 5 min) and insulin (0·5, 1 or 2 mU kg,1 min,1 for 120 min) were administered on three separate occasions. Both agents dose-dependently decreased central pulse pressure and the augmentation index (AIx) without changing brachial artery blood pressure. We next compared responses to insulin (2 mU kg,1 min,1 for 120 min) and sublingual GTN (500 µg for 5 min) in 20 nondiabetic subjects (age 50 ± 2 year, BMI 21·0,36·3 kg m,2). Again, both agents significantly decreased AIx. Although the vascular effects of insulin and GTN vascular were positively correlated [Spearman's r = 0·92 (95% confidence interval 0·81,0·97), P < 0·0001], the time-course for the action GTN was faster than that of insulin. Brachial systolic blood pressure remained unchanged during the insulin infusion (122 ± 3 vs. 121 ± 3 mmHg, 0 vs. 120 min) but aortic systolic blood pressure decreased significantly by 30 min (111 ± 3 vs. 107 ± 3 mmHg, 0 vs. 30 min, P < 0·01). Similarly, GTN decreased aortic systolic blood pressure from 119 ± 4 to maximally 112 ± 3 mmHg (P < 0·001) without significantly decreasing systolic blood pressure in the brachial artery. Conclusions, The effects of insulin and GTN on large arterial haemodynamics are dose-dependent and significantly correlated. The exact mechanisms and sites of action of insulin and GTN in subjects with insulin resistance remain to be established. [source]


Interferon-, in healthy subjects: selective modulation of inflammatory mediators

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 6 2001
J. De Metz
Background It is suggested that interferon-, (IFN-,), like other cytokines, is a mediator in the host inflammatory response, which could be of importance in the pathophysiology of sepsis. The role of IFN-, in human host inflammatory responses, however, has not been studied. Design In a placebo-controlled trial we studied the acute effects of IFN-, administration on host inflammatory mediators in healthy men: i.e. the cytokine/chemokine cascade system, acute-phase proteins, activation markers of the innate cellular immunity and coagulation/fibrinolysis parameters. Results IFN-, increased plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and IFN-,-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) (P < 0·05), but did not affect plasma levels of other cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-,, IL-12p40/p70). Plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein and secretory phospholipase A2 both increased (P < 0·05). Plasma levels of the leucocyte activation marker elastase-,1,antitrypsin complexes increased after IFN-, administration (P < 0·05), IFN-, increased the percentage of high-affinity Fc,-receptor (Fc,RI) -positive neutrophils (P < 0·05), but did not affect the mean fluorescence intensity of Fc,RI on neutrophils. Procoagulant and profibrinolytic effects of IFN-, were evidenced by increased plasma levels of prothrombin fragment F1 + F2, tissue-plasminogen activator and plasmin-,2,antiplasmin complexes (P < 0·05). Conclusion We conclude that IFN-, selectively affects host inflammatory mediators in humans. [source]


Postprandial lipemic response to alpha-linolenic acid rich oil, butter, and olive oil

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 9 2010
Julia Svensson
Abstract Postprandial lipemia varies with composition of dietary fat due to partitioning of fatty acids between ,-oxidation, incorporation into TAG, and tissue lipids. Effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) are poorly characterized. Lipase-catalyzed transesterification was used to produce a novel ALA-oil (35% ALA) from rapeseed and linseed oil. We hypothesized a lower postprandial lipemic response with ALA-oil than with olive oil and butter due to higher ,-oxidation of ALA. A randomized crossover study with 26 healthy men compared the effects on plasma lipids 7,h after a breakfast containing 35,g ALA-rich oil, butter fat, or olive oil. The incremental area under curve for plasma TAG was lower with butter than with olive oil (34%, p<0.05) and ALA-oil (25%, ns). After ALA-oil percentage ALA increased, in TAG to a constant level of 7,mol% and in NEFA to 6% after 7,h. Since total NEFA increased with time the amount of exogenous ALA in NEFA also increased. Butter resulted in lower postprandial lipemia than the oils, the difference exceeding what is expected from the presence of short and medium chain fatty acids in butter. There was a considerable recirculation of ALA into the NEFA pool available for oxidation. Practical application: Enzymatic transesterification was used to produce a dietary oil rich in ALA. By randomizing the partitioning of ALA more evenly between the TAG molecules the risk of oxidation could be reduced. Analyses showed that the ALA-oil was stable during storage for at least 3 months. Enzymatic transesterification could be used as an advantageous method to design an ALA rich dietary oil with new properties regarding fatty acid composition, susceptibility to oxidation, and effects on blood lipids. [source]


Reliability of orthostatic responses in healthy men aged between 65 and 75 years

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
Tim J. Gabbett
The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-, medium- and long-term reproducibility of cardiovascular responses during 90° head-up tilt (HUT) in healthy older men. Twenty-eight healthy male subjects aged 69 (95% confidence intervals, 68,70) years participated in the study. Eight subjects underwent duplicate 90° HUT tests on consecutive days, while 20 subjects underwent four 90° HUT tests performed at baseline, and after 1 week, 1 month and 1 year. Following a 20-min supine resting period, each subject was rapidly tilted to the upright vertical position (90° HUT) and remained in that position for 15 min. Beat-by-beat recordings of mean (MAP), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) pressures were made via Finapres, while heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously from an electrocardiogram. No significant test,retest differences (P > 0.05) were observed for the changes in HR, MAP, SBP or DBP during 90° HUT. These measurements demonstrated high reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient, r= 0.91,0.99, P < 0.05). The supine resting and tilted HR, MAP, SBP and DBP over the 1-week, 1-month and 1-year period were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from baseline, and demonstrated high reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient, r= 0.82,0.98, P < 0.05). The results of this study demonstrate that in healthy older men, cardiovascular responses during orthostasis are highly reproducible, and this reproducibility is maintained over a 12-month period. These findings demonstrate that the 90° HUT test offers a reproducible method of monitoring longitudinal orthostatic responses in healthy older men. [source]


Vitamin D receptor FokI genotype influences bone mineral density response to strength training, but not aerobic training

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
Karma M. Rabon-Stith
To determine the influence of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene FokI and BsmI genotype on bone mineral density response to two exercise training modalities, 206 healthy men and women (50,81 years old) were studied before and after ,5,6 months of either aerobic exercise training (AT) or strength training (ST). A totla of 123 subjects completed AT (51 men, 72 women) and 83 subjects completed ST (40 men, 43 women). DNA was extracted from blood samples of all subjects and genotyping was performed at the VDR FokI and BsmI locus to determine its association to training response. Total body, greater trochanter and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) were measured before and after both training programmes using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. VDR BsmI genotype was not significantly related to BMD at baseline or after ST or AT. However, VDR FokI genotype was significantly related to ST- but not AT-induced changes in femoral neck BMD (P < 0.05). The heterozygotes (Ff) in the ST group approached a significantly greater increase in femoral neck BMD (P= 0.058) compared to f homozygotes. There were no significant genotype relationships in the AT group. These data indicate that VDR FokI genotype may influence femoral neck BMD response to ST, but not AT. [source]


Human salivary aggregation in Streptococcus intermedius type g strains: relationship with IgA

FEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
Taihei Yamaguchi
Abstract Bacterial aggregation is an important step in elimination from the human body to protect against infection. Streptococcus intermedius K1K aggregates in human saliva. In this study, the salivary agglutinin was identified. The aggregation level was very strong in sonic-treated saliva and 1-,m filtrate. Preincubation of human saliva with anti-human , chain serum or anti-human whole saliva serum completely inhibited aggregation, but preincubation with anti-human , chain serum or anti-Fc fragment of human IgG serum had no effect. Agglutinin of human saliva that could aggregate the strain K1K was purified using DEAE,Sepharose CL-6B, Phenyl,Sepharose CL-4B and Sephacryl S200HR gel filtration. Purified salivary agglutinin was characterized with electrophoresis and immunological techniques, indicating that purified material was IgA. Bacterial aggregation was dependent on the presence of calcium. Saliva filtrate specimens from eight healthy men and eight women showed different aggregation activities. Three men and one woman had little activity. These data show that the present bacterial aggregation was an immunoreaction between IgA in saliva and the bacteria dependent on the levels of calcium. In addition, the IgA in human saliva related with possible calcium-dependent antigen(s) on the surface of strain K1K. [source]


Androgen receptor gene polymorphism and the metabolic syndrome in 60,80 years old Norwegian men

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Paal André Skjærpe
Summary The metabolic syndrome (MS) includes a clustering of metabolic derangements. Low testosterone levels have been shown to be associated with both components of MS and MS per se. As most androgen-related effects are mediated thorough the androgen receptor (AR), we wanted to investigate to which degree the AR CAG and GGN repeat polymorphisms might be related to MS. Sixty-eight men, 60,80 years old, with subnormal total testosterone levels (,11.0 nmol/L) and 104 men with normal levels (>11.0 nmol/L), participating in a nested case,control study were investigated in this study. Body weight, height, waist circumferences and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were drawn and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. The CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the AR gene were determined by direct sequencing of leucocyte DNA. Men with MS had lower CAG repeat number than healthy men (p = 0.007). There were, however, no difference in CAG or GGN repeats length between the groups with subnormal or normal testosterone concentrations. In cross-sectional analyses, men with CAG repeat lengths , 21 had significantly higher fasting glucose, C-peptide and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (all p < 0.05). In multiple regression analyses, CAG repeat length was an inverse and independent predictor of glucose after an OGTT and of HbA1c levels. We also found that men with more than one component of MS had shorter CAG repeat number (p for trend 0.013) than those with only one component. In conclusion, there were no associations with GGN repeat length, while short CAG repeat length seems to be associated with increased risk of MS. [source]


Management of gynaecomastia: an update

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 7 2007
P. Gikas
Summary Gynaecomastia, a benign enlargement of the male breast as a result of proliferation of the glandular component, is common, being present in 30,50% of healthy men. It may be an incidental finding, an acute unilateral or bilateral tender breast enlargement or a progressive painless enlargement of the male breast. A general medical history and careful physical examination, looking for features suggestive of breast cancer, often suffice for evaluation in patients without symptoms or those with incidentally discovered breast enlargement. If the gynaecomastia is of recent onset, a more detailed evaluation, including selected laboratory tests to search for an underlying cause is necessary. Treatment depends on the cause: an offending drug may need to be withdrawn or alternatively radiation, surgery and/or medical therapy may be necessary. The use of a combination of surgical excision and liposuction through a periareolar incision represents the surgical approach of choice. [source]


Heterozygote men with familial hypercholesterolaemia may have an abnormal triglyceride response post-prandially.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 3 2005
Evidence for another predictor of vascular risk in familial hypercholesterolaemia
Summary Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is associated with premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Post-prandial hypertriglyceridaemia has also been associated with cardiovascular disease. Thus, an abnormal post-prandial triglyceride (TG) clearance may contribute to the heterogeneity in the risk of CHD in heterozygous (h) FH. Therefore, we investigated the response of TG levels to a fatty meal in men with hFH. We studied 26 Greek men divided into two groups: the hFH group of 14 men, mean age 39 (SD = 11) years and the control group of 12 healthy men, mean age 43 (50:5) years. An increased TG response to the fatty meal was defined as a post-prandial TG concentration (at 4, 6 or 8 h) greater than the highest TG concentration in any hour in any control individual. All hFH patients had normal baseline fasting TG levels. However, seven hFH men showed an abnormal TG response after the fatty meal; these patients had higher baseline fasting TG levels than others [1.5 (0.2) vs. 1.0 (0.4) mmol/l, p = 0.005]. The hFH men constituted a heterogeneous group regarding their TG response to the fatty meal compared with healthy men because 50% with higher, but nevertheless ,normal' basal TG levels, had an abnormal post-prandial TG response. The reduced activity of low-density lipoprotein receptors in hFH together with other defects in TG handling may explain the abnormal rise of TG levels post-prandially. [source]


Risk factors of Egyptian male osteoporosis

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 4 2008
Salwa S. ELGENDI
Abstract Background:, Osteoporosis (OP) is a growing health problem not only in women but also in men. Subjects and methods:, This study was carried out on 100 healthy men, age range 30,65 years (mean ± SD, 44.65 ± 8.3). All were randomly recruited from Assiut city during the period January 2005 to January 2006. Complete clinical history included occupational history, smoking habit, physical activity and calcium intake. Complete clinical examination and anthropometric measurments were done. Laboratory investigations for serum calcium, phosphorus and osteocalcin were performed. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by calcaneal ultrasound. Results:, Sixty-three percent of participants had normal BMD, 37% had low BMD, (26% had quantitative bone ultrasound [QUS] T-score ,1 to ,2.5 and 11% had QUS T-score , ,2.5). Smoking and low physical activity were risk factors for low BMD. Significant positive correlations were found between BMD and body mass index, serum calcium, and osteocalcin and negative correlation with phosphorus. We concluded that low BMD occurs with high frequency in Egyptian men. Smoking, physical inactivity and low body index are significant risk factors. Low serum calcium, low serum osteocalcin and high serum phosphorus are biochemical risk factors of low BMD in males. [source]


SELECT shows no effect on prostate cancer prevention

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGICAL NURSING, Issue 1 2009
Lawrence Drudge-Coates
Abstract To determine whether selenium, vitamin E, or both could prevent prostate cancer and other diseases with little or no toxicity in relatively healthy men. Oral selenium (200 ,g/d from L -selenomethionine) and matched vitamin E placebo, vitamin E (400 IU/d of all rac-, -tocopheryl acetate) and matched selenium placebo, selenium + vitamin E, or placebo + placebo for a planned follow-up of minimum of 7 years and a maximum of 12 years. Number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer and prespecified secondary outcomes, including lung, colorectal, and overall primary cancer. Selenium or vitamin E, alone or in combination at the doses and formulations used, did not prevent prostate cancer in this population of relatively healthy men. [source]


Urethral condyloma acuminata following urethral instrumentation in an elderly man

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 10 2004
YASUHIRO SUMINO
Abstract, A 70-year-old man had undergone urethral dilatation with bougie for 8 months following transurethral resection of the prostate and complained papillary masses at the urethral meatus. Physical and endoscopic examination revealed multiple tumors from the urethral meatus to the bulbous urethra. These tumors were resected transurethrally and 5-FU cream was instilled into urethra. Microscopic examination revealed urethral condyloma acuminata. Human papillomavirus types 6/11 were detected in the condylomas. As high prevalence rate of genital human papillomavirus was reported in penile skin of healthy men, urethral instrumentation including transurethral surgery might cause dissemination of penile skin human papillomavirus into the urethral lumen. [source]


Changes in Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Power but Not Physical Function Are Related to Testosterone Dose in Healthy Older Men

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 11 2008
Thomas W. Storer PhD
OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of graded doses of testosterone on physical function and muscle performance in healthy, older men. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: General clinical research center. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling healthy men aged 60 to 75 (N=44). INTERVENTION: Monthly treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist plus 25, 50, 125, or 300 mg/wk of intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate for 20 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was estimated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Leg press strength was measured by one repetition maximum, leg power by Nottingham Leg Rig, and muscle fatigability by repetitions to failure in the leg press exercise. Stair climbing, 6-meter and 400-meter walking speed, and a timed-up-and-go (TUG) test were used to assess physical function. RESULTS: Significant testosterone dose- and concentration-dependent increases were observed in SMM (P<.001) and maximal strength (P=.001) but not muscle fatigability. Leg power also increased dose-dependently (P=.048). In contrast, changes in self-selected normal and fast walking speed over 6 or 400 meters, stair climbing power, and time for the TUG were not significantly related to testosterone dose, testosterone concentrations, or changes in muscle strength or power, or SMM. CONCLUSION: Testosterone administration was associated with dose-dependent increases in SMM, leg strength, and power but did not improve muscle fatigability or physical function. The observation that physical function scores did not improve linearly with strength suggests that these high-functioning older men were already in the asymptotic region of the curve describing the relationship between physical function and strength. [source]


Sex Differences in Salivary Cortisol Levels Following Naltrexone Administration,

JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2000
Laura Cousino Klein
Effects of endogenous opioid peptide blockade by naltrexone on salivary Cortisol levels were examined in healthy men (n= 8) and women (n= 6). Participants received naltrexone (100 mg) during one laboratory session and a placebo pill during another session. Drug order was counterbalanced across participants. Saliva samples were collected 24 hr after each pill was administered. Among women, salivary Cortisol levels significantly increased following naltrexone administration compared with a placebo pill. Naltrexone administration did not alter salivary Cortisol levels in men. Results suggest sex differences in neuroendocrine sensitivity to opioid blockade, a finding that may hold significance with regard to the treatment of alcohol addiction with naltrexone. [source]