Plasma sex hormone levels and mortality in disabled older men and women.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between circulating sex hormone levels and subsequent mortality in disabled elderly.

Methods: This prospective observational study was comprised of 214 elderly subjects aged 70-96 years (117 men and 97 women; mean ± standard deviation age, 83 ± 7 years), receiving services at long-term care facilities in Nagano, Japan. All-cause mortality by baseline plasma sex hormone levels was measured.

Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on cognitive function and activities of daily living in older women with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

Aim: There is little evidence that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has beneficial effects on physical and psychological functions in older women. We investigated the effect of DHEA supplementation on cognitive function and ADL in older women with cognitive impairment.

Methods: A total of 27 women aged 65-90 years (mean ± standard deviation, 83 ± 6) with mild to moderate cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE; 10-28/30 points), receiving long-term care at a facility in Japan were enrolled.

Association of low testosterone with metabolic syndrome and its components in middle-aged Japanese men.

Epidemiological studies have shown that low testosterone is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Caucasian men. We investigated whether testosterone level is related to the prevalence of MetS in middle-aged Japanese men. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 194 men aged 30-64 years (49+/-9).

Age-related changes in plasma androgen levels and their association with cardiovascular risk factors in male Japanese office workers.

Aim: To assess the age-related change in plasma androgen levels in healthy middle-aged men and whether any clinical parameters are associated with the hormonal change.

Methods: The study was comprised of male Japanese office-workers aged 40-64 years, who had undergone an annual health check-up in 2002 and 2007 (96 and 76 men, respectively). Body mass index and blood pressure were measured, and serum concentration of lipids, glucose and uric acid in addition to plasma total testosterone, free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels were determined in the morning after an overnight fast.

Association of plasma sex hormone levels with functional decline in elderly men and women.

Aim: We aimed to determine whether plasma sex hormone levels are associated with activities of daily living (ADL), cognition, depression and vitality in elderly individuals with functional decline.

Methods: Two hundred and eight consecutive persons 70 years or older (108 men and 100 women; mean +/- standard deviation, 81 +/- 7 years) with a chronic stable condition, receiving long-term care at a long-term care facilities located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, were enrolled. Plasma total testosterone, free testosterone (only in men), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) and estradiol levels were determined in the morning after an overnight fast.

[Hormone replacement therapy--growth hormone, melatonin, DHEA and sex hormones].

The ability to maintain active and independent living as long as possible is crucial for the healthy longevity. Hormones responsible for some of the manifestations associated with aging are growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), melatonin, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), sex hormones and thyroid hormones. These hormonal changes are associated with changes in body composition, visceral obesity, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, loss of cognitive functioning, reduction in well being, depression, as well as sexual dysfunction.

[Effects of antiosteoporotic agents on glucose and lipid metabolism and cardiovascular system].

Cardiovascular disease is the main contributor of mortality among postmenopausal women. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been reported to have a beneficial effect on metabolic and vascular factors. Although, randomized clinical trials have questioned the efficacy of HRT in primary and secondary coronary artery disease (CAD) prevention despite confirming the lipid-lowering effect of HRT.