Changes in plasma DHEAS circadian rhythm in elderly men.

Several reports focused the attention on aging that appears to exert an influence on the temporal structure in the endocrine system of man. Considering that: a) DHEAS blood levels consistently decrease as men age and b) this hormone might be involved in the early development of atherosclerosis, aim of the present work to detect: 1) the possible existence of a circadian rhythm of DHEAS in young and elderly men, 2) eventual change in parameters of other hormonal rhythms. 11 young healthy males (28 +/- 2 yrs) and 12 elderly males (73 +/- 1 yrs) were studied over a 24-hr span during spring.

Circadian rhythm of albumin excretion rate in healthy subjects.

Many studies have reported the predictive role of unphysiological levels of microalbuminuria for the development of diabetic nephropathy. It is known that physiological levels of 24-h microalbuminuria do not exceed 20 micrograms/min (28.8 mg/day), but a few data are available for shorter periods.