Most cited article - PubMed ID 33094624
Aging, hormones and receptors
The diagnostic prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) shows boys to be more affected than girls. Due to this reason, there is a lack of research including and observing ASD girls. Present study was aimed to detect hormones of steroidogenesis pathway in prepubertal girls (n = 16) diagnosed with ASD and sex and age matched neurotypical controls (CTRL, n = 16). Collected plasma served for detection of conjugated and unconjugated steroids using gas chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. We observed higher levels of steroids modulating ionotropic receptors, especially, GABAergic steroids and pregnenolone sulfate in ASD group. Concentration of many steroids throughout the pathway tend to be higher in ASD girls compared to CTRL. Pregnenolone and its isomers together with polar progestins and androstanes, i.e. sulfated steroids, were found to be higher in ASD group in comparison with CTRL group. Based on steroid product to precursor ratios, ASD group showed higher levels of sulfated/conjugated steroids suggesting higher sulfotransferase or lower steroid sulfatase activity and we also obtained data indicating lower activity of steroid 11β-hydroxylase compared to CTRL group despite higher corticosterone level observed in ASD. These findings need to be generalized in future studies to examine both genders and other age groups.
- MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry MeSH
- Autism Spectrum Disorder * metabolism MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Pregnenolone * metabolism blood MeSH
- Steroids metabolism blood MeSH
- Case-Control Studies MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Pregnenolone * MeSH
- pregnenolone sulfate MeSH Browser
- Steroids MeSH
Epidemiological studies suggest an association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the pathophysiological markers of AD vs. T2DM for each sex separately and propose models that would distinguish control, AD, T2DM, and AD-T2DM comorbidity groups. AD and T2DM differed in levels of some circulating steroids (measured mostly by GC-MS) and in other observed characteristics, such as markers of obesity, glucose metabolism, and liver function tests. Regarding steroid metabolism, AD patients (both sexes) had significantly higher sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), cortisol, and 17-hydroxy progesterone, and lower estradiol and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol, compared to T2DM patients. However, compared to healthy controls, changes in the steroid spectrum (especially increases in levels of steroids from the C21 group, including their 5α/β-reduced forms, androstenedione, etc.) were similar in patients with AD and patients with T2DM, though more expressed in diabetics. It can be assumed that many of these steroids are involved in counter-regulatory protective mechanisms that mitigate the development and progression of AD and T2DM. In conclusion, our results demonstrated the ability to effectively differentiate AD, T2DM, and controls in both men and women, distinguish the two pathologies from each other, and differentiate patients with AD and T2DM comorbidities.
- Keywords
- Alzheimer’s disease, GC-MS, differential diagnostics, multivariate statistics, steroidome, type 2 diabetes mellitus,
- MeSH
- Alzheimer Disease * metabolism MeSH
- Androstenedione MeSH
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 * diagnosis epidemiology MeSH
- Comorbidity MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Steroids metabolism MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Androstenedione MeSH
- Steroids MeSH
INTRODUCTION: Body balance control represents a key factor preventing falls and subsequent injuries in seniors aged 65+. Intervention based on yoga exercises seem to be effective in improving balance. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to analyse and compare changes in static, dynamic, and total balance scores, changes in body composition and social indices as effects of yoga-based intervention. METHODS: A total of 500 participants (234 men aged 74.5 SD±7.74 and 266 women aged 76.9 SD±7.23) were assessed using the Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool, the InBody 230 bioimpedance body composition analyser, and the SF-36 Health Survey, applied to pre and post-testing. The experimental group (n=262; 122 males; 140 females) underwent a four-week yoga-based intervention, 30 minutes daily, while the control group (n=238; 112 males; 126 females) underwent its usual daily programme at senior homes or centres. The ANOVA model, consisting of the Group, Stage, Subject and Group × Stage interaction factors, was used for data evaluation. RESULTS: Intervention led to improvements in the static, dynamic and total balance scores in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results of SF-36 showed positive changes in the psychosocial aspects of health, such as promoting of calmness and happiness in male seniors and reducing fatigue, nervousness and depression in female seniors. The post-intervention decrease in body fat percentage and increase in muscle mass in seniors is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The four-week yoga-based intervention had positive effects on the static, dynamic and total balance scores, body composition and social status.
UVOD: Nadzor telesnega ravnotežja je ključni dejavnik za preprečevanje padcev in posledičnih poškodb pri starejših od 65 let. Videti je, da ukrep na osnovi vaj joge učinkovito pripomore k izboljšanju ravnotežja. CILJ: Cilj je analizirati in primerjati spremembe ocene statičnega, dinamičnega in skupnega ravnotežja, spremembe sestave telesa ter spremembe socialnih kazalnikov po izvedbi ukrepa na osnovi vaj joge. METODE: 500 udeležencev (234 moških povprečne starosti 74,5 leta, SD ± 7,74 leta, in 266 žensk povprečne starosti 76,9 leta, SD ± 7,23 leta) je bilo v predhodnem in naknadnem testiranju ocenjenih z orodjem Tinetti za oceno ravnotežja (Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool), analizatorjem bioelektrične impedance InBody 230 in vprašalnikom o zdravju SF-36. Pri eksperimentalni skupini (n = 262; 122 moških; 140 žensk) je bil izveden 4-tedenski ukrep na osnovi vaj joge, ki so se izvajale 30 minut na dan, medtem ko je kontrolna skupina (n = 238; 112 moških; 126 žensk) izvajala svoj običajen dnevni program v domovih ali centrih za starejše. Za oceno podatkov je bil uporabljen model ANOVA s faktorji Skupina, Stopnja in Subjekt ter interakcijo Skupina × Stopnja. REZULTATI: Ukrep je v eksperimentalni skupini privedel do izboljšanja ocene statičnega, dinamičnega in skupnega ravnotežja v primerjavi s kontrolno skupino. Rezultati vprašalnika SF-36 so pokazali pozitivne spremembe na področju psihosocialnih vidikov zdravja, kot sta povečanje mirnosti in sreče pri starejših moških ter zmanjšanje utrujenosti, živčnosti in depresivnosti pri starejših ženskah. Opisano je zmanjšanje odstotka telesne maščobe in povečanje mišične mase pri starejših po izvedbi ukrepa. ZAKLJUČKI: 4-tedensko izvajanje ukrepa na osnovi vaj joge je pozitivno vplivalo na oceno statičnega, dinamičnega in skupnega ravnotežja, sestavo telesa in socialni status.
- Keywords
- ageing, balance control, chair yoga, health promotion, social health,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Balance control is a critical task of daily life, the ability to maintain upright posture becomes of particular concern during aging when the sensory and motor system becomes deteriorated. Falls contribute to the most deaths caused by injury within the aged population, and the mortality rate following a fall is drastically elevated. Longitudinal and reliable assessment of balance control abilities is a critical point in the prediction of increased risk of falling in an elderly population. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of the Homebalance test in the identification of persons being at higher risk of falling. 135 subjects (82 women and 53 men) with geriatric syndrome have been recruited and the Homebalance and the Tinetti Balance test were performed. Results of both tests strongly correlated proving the good performance of the Homebalance test. Standing balance declines with increasing body mass index in both genders. Analysis of fluctuations of the center of pressure (COP) revealed higher frequency and magnitude in mediolateral direction COP movements when compared women to men. A strong negative correlation has been found between Tinetti static balance score and the total length of the COP trajectory during the examination on Homebalance (r = -0.6, p<0.001). Although both methods revealed good performance in detecting balance impairment, Homebalance test possesses higher precision due to the continuous nature of COP-derived parameters. In conclusion, our data proved that the Homebalance test is capable to identify persons with impaired balance control and thus are at higher risk of falling.
Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) is a pro-fibrotic cytokine with a key role in wound repair and regeneration, including induction of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition. Genistein is a naturally occurring selective estrogen receptor modulator with promising anti-fibrotic properties. In the present study we aimed to investigate whether genistein modulates TGF-beta1 (canonical and non-canonical) signaling in normal dermal fibroblasts at the protein level (Western blot and immunofluorescence). We demonstrated that TGF-beta1 induces the myofibroblast-like phenotype in the studied fibroblast signaling via canonical (SMAD) and non-canonical (AKT, ERK1/2, ROCK) pathways. Genistein induced only ERK1/2 expression, whereas the combination of TGF-beta1 and genistein attenuated the ERK1/2 and ROCK signaling. Of note, the other studied pathways remained almost unaffected. From this point of view, genistein does not impair conversion of normal fibroblasts to myofibroblast-like cells.
- MeSH
- Fibroblasts drug effects metabolism MeSH
- Phytoestrogens pharmacology MeSH
- Genistein pharmacology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical MeSH
- Primary Cell Culture MeSH
- Signal Transduction drug effects MeSH
- Transforming Growth Factor beta1 antagonists & inhibitors metabolism MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Phytoestrogens MeSH
- Genistein MeSH
- TGFB1 protein, human MeSH Browser
- Transforming Growth Factor beta1 MeSH
The aging of human populations, including those in Europe, is an indisputable fact. The challenge for the future is not simply prolonging human life at any cost or by any means but rather extending self-sufficiency and quality of life. Even in the most advanced societies, the eternal questions remain. Who will take care of the older generations? Will adult children's own circumstances be sufficient to support family members as they age? For a range of complex reasons, including socioeconomic conditions, adult children are often unable or unwilling to assume responsibility for the care of older family members. For this reason, it is imperative that aging adults maintain their independence and self-care for as long as possible. Movement is an important part of self-sufficiency. Moreover, movement has been shown to improve patients' clinical status. At a time when the coronavirus pandemic is disrupting the world, older people are among the most vulnerable. Our paper explores current knowledge and offers insights into the significant benefits of movement for the elderly, including improved immunity. We discuss the biochemical processes of aging and the counteractive effects of exercise and endogenous substances, such as vitamin D.
- Keywords
- COVID-19, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), exercises, geroscience, immunity, irisin, stress, vitamin D,
- MeSH
- COVID-19 immunology pathology virology MeSH
- Exercise * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor metabolism MeSH
- Obesity pathology MeSH
- Stress, Psychological MeSH
- Sarcopenia pathology MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 isolation & purification MeSH
- Aging * MeSH
- Vitamin D administration & dosage MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor MeSH
- Vitamin D MeSH
