The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology
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Although androgen deprivation as a treatment for patients with prostate cancer was described more than 60 years ago its optimal use remains controversial. The widespread use of prostate-specific (PSA) assay has lead to earlier diagnosis and earlier detection of recurrent disease. This means that the systemic side effects of androgen deprivation and quality of life have become more important. ⋯ The decision regarding the type of androgen deprivation should be made individually after informing the patient of all available treatment options, including watchful waiting, and on the basis of potential benefits and adverse effects. Several large studies are under way to investigate the role of adjuvant endocrine treatment in the field of early prostate cancer, intermittent androgen deprivation and endocrine therapy alone compared with endocrine therapy with radiotherapy. The real challenge, however, is to develop better means to avert hormone-refractory prostate cancer and better treatments for patients with hormone-refractory disease when it occurs.
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · May 2004
Associations with Vitamin D deficiency in "at risk" Australians.
In a study of 185 elderly living in assisted care and 192 frail aged living in the community in the Sydney metropolitan area, nursing home residents were found to be at a 3-fold and hostel dwellers at a 2-fold risk of Vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency (<25 nmol/L) compared to self care residents. Middle Eastern people were found to be at 4-fold risk and Vietnamese a 3-fold risk of deficiency compared to their Australian counterparts. ⋯ Of the Middle Eastern elderly, 58% were deficient and 83% marginal; although only 18% of Vietnamese were deficient, 68% had marginal Vitamin D status. Other factors associated with Vitamin D deficiency were mobility and sun exposure in assisted care, and low dietary Vitamin D and calcium intake, reduced exercise levels and high % body fat levels in the immigrant groups.
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · Jan 2004
Comparative StudyAging alters the functional expression of enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidant defense systems in testicular rat Leydig cells.
In aged rats, trophic hormone-stimulated testosterone secretion by isolated Leydig cells is greatly reduced. The current studies were initiated to establish a functional link between excess oxidative stress and the age-related decline in steroidogenesis. Highly purified Leydig cell preparations obtained from 5-month (young mature) and 24-month (old) Sprague-Dawley rats were employed to measure and compare levels of lipid peroxidation, non-enzymatic (alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and reduced/oxidized glutathione) and enzymatic (Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase, Cu, Zn-SOD; Mn-superoxide dismutase, Mn-SOD; glutathione peroxidase-1, GPX-1, and catalase, CAT) anti-oxidants. ⋯ In contrast, neither mRNA levels nor enzyme activity of catalase was sensitive to aging. From these data we conclude that aging is accompanied by reduced expression of key enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidants in Leydig cells leading to excessive oxidative stress and enhanced oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation). It is postulated that such excessive oxidative insult may contribute to the observed age-related decline in testosterone secretion by testicular Leydig cells.
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · Sep 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial'Arimidex' (anastrozole) versus tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer--efficacy overview.
ATAC, a randomized, double-blind trial, compared tamoxifen (20 mg) with anastrozole ('Arimidex') (1 mg) alone, and the combination of anastrozole plus tamoxifen (combination), as adjuvant endocrine treatment for postmenopausal patients with early breast cancer. Patients with operable invasive breast cancer following completion of primary therapy, who were candidates to receive adjuvant endocrine therapy, were eligible for this study. Primary endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS) and tolerability. ⋯ Early findings show anastrozole to be an effective and well-tolerated endocrine option for the treatment of postmenopausal patients with early breast cancer. For the first time a choice now exists for adjuvant endocrine treatment for postmenopausal women with hormone responsive tumours. Longer follow-up will further define the benefit/risk of anastrozole adjuvant therapy.
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · Jun 2003
Estrogens and phytoestrogens: brain plasticity of sexually dimorphic brain volumes.
Sexually dimorphic brain volumes (sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) and anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nucleus) are influenced by estrogens. Phytoestrogens, derived from plants (especially soy products), are molecules structurally and functionally similar to estradiol. The purpose of this study was to examine: the consumption of phytoestrogen (using a phytoestrogen-rich (Phyto-600) versus a phytoestrogen-free (Phyto-free)) diets from conception to adulthood (or changing the diets during adulthood) and characterizing (a) circulating plasma phytoestrogen levels, (b) testosterone levels in males, (c) sexually dimorphic brain volumes (i.e. the SDN-POA and AVPV) and (d) the presence of apoptotic cells in these brain structures in Long-Evans rats. ⋯ Males fed the Phyto-free diet had the largest AVPV values compared to Phyto-600 fed males. When the SDN-POA region was examined in lifelong Phyto-free fed males, apoptotic cells were present versus males fed the Phyto-600 diet and in the AVPV region the opposite results were obtained. In summary, consumption of dietary phytoestrogens (estrogen mimics) can alter hormone-sensitive hypothalamic brain volumes in rodents during adulthood.