Behavioral and hormonal effects of prolonged Sildenafil treatment in a mouse model of chronic social stress.

Chronic social defeat can inhibit the reproductive system of subordinate males and causes behavioral deficits. Sildenafil treatment increases mice testosterone levels through its effects on Leydig cells of mice and it has been found to work as an antidepressant drug both in humans and in animal models. Since previous findings showed that sildenafil can counteract the inhibitory effects of chronic social defeat on agonistic, reproductive and anxiety-like behaviors of subordinate male mice, we investigated whether these behavioral outcomes can be explained by Sildenafil stimulation of testosterone.

Magnesium and anabolic hormones in older men.

Optimal nutritional and hormonal statuses are determinants of successful ageing. The age associated decline in anabolic hormones such as testosterone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a strong predictor of metabolic syndrome, diabetes and mortality in older men. Studies have shown that magnesium intake affects the secretion of total IGF-1 and increase testosterone bioactivity.

SHBG, sex hormones, and inflammatory markers in older women.

Context: In premenopausal and older women, high testosterone and estradiol (E2) and low SHBG levels are associated with insulin resistance and diabetes, conditions characterized by low-grade inflammation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between SHBG, total testosterone, total E2, and inflammatory markers in older women.

Design And Patients: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 433 women at least 65 yr old from the InCHIANTI Study, Italy, who were not on hormone replacement therapy or recently hospitalized and who had complete data on SHBG, testosterone, E2, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6r), and TNF-α.

Association of plasma selenium concentrations with total IGF-1 among older community-dwelling adults: the InCHIANTI study.

Background & Aims: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) stimulates cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis. Recent studies underline its importance as anabolic hormone and nutritional marker in older individuals. IGF-1 synthesis and bioactivity are modulated by nutritional factors including selenium intake.