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Waters J, Linsenmeyer W. The impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy on nutrition-relevant biochemical measures. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1339311. [PMID: 38646103 PMCID: PMC11026707 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1339311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Gender-affirming hormone therapy carries the potential risk for shifts in biochemical markers that may impact cardiometabolic, hematologic, hepatic, and renal health. The critical evaluation of biochemical data is an integral part of a comprehensive nutrition assessment; therefore, nutrition professionals should be aware of shifts that are expected during the course of masculinizing and feminizing hormone therapy. Changes in important biochemical values along with binary sex-specific standards for interpreting laboratory data can pose significant challenges for nutrition professionals working with transgender and gender-diverse patients who receive gender-affirming hormone therapy. Overall, research on the biochemical impact of masculinizing and feminizing hormone therapy is nascent and limited. Methodologies and outcomes measured are heterogenous across studies, introducing complexities that impede researchers from drawing definitive conclusions. In light of these limitations, this narrative review aims to describe the potential implications of masculinizing and feminizing hormone therapy regimens on biochemical measures that may influence nutrition strategies and interventions to promote optimal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Waters
- School of Health Studies, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, United States
| | - Whitney Linsenmeyer
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
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Cocchetti C, Romani A, Collet S, Greenman Y, Schreiner T, Wiepjes C, den Heijer M, T’Sjoen G, Fisher AD. The ENIGI (European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence) Study: Overview of Acquired Endocrine Knowledge and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11071784. [PMID: 35407392 PMCID: PMC8999511 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11071784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Literature on the efficacy and safety of gender-affirming hormonal treatment (GAHT) in transgender people is limited. For this reason, in 2010 the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence (ENIGI) study was born. The aim of this review is to summarize evidence emerging from this prospective multicentric study and to identify future perspectives. GAHT was effective in inducing desired body changes in both trans AMAB and AFAB people (assigned male and female at birth, respectively). Evidence from the ENIGI study confirmed the overall safety of GAHT in the short/mid-term. In trans AMAB people, an increase in prolactin levels was demonstrated, whereas the most common side effects in trans AFAB people were acne development, erythrocytosis, and unfavorable changes in lipid profile. The main future perspectives should include the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of non-standardized hormonal treatment in non-binary trans people. Furthermore, long-term safety data on mortality rates, oncological risk, and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and thromboembolic events are lacking. With this aim, we decided to extend the observation of the ENIGI study to 10 years in order to study all these aspects in depth and to answer these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Cocchetti
- Andrology, Women’s Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50100 Florence, Italy; (C.C.); (A.R.)
| | - Alessia Romani
- Andrology, Women’s Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50100 Florence, Italy; (C.C.); (A.R.)
| | - Sarah Collet
- Department of Endocrinology, Center for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.C.); (G.T.)
| | - Yona Greenman
- Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
| | - Thomas Schreiner
- Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, 0130 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Chantal Wiepjes
- Department of Endocrinology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VUmc, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.W.); (M.d.H.)
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VUmc, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin den Heijer
- Department of Endocrinology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VUmc, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.W.); (M.d.H.)
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VUmc, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guy T’Sjoen
- Department of Endocrinology, Center for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.C.); (G.T.)
| | - Alessandra Daphne Fisher
- Andrology, Women’s Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50100 Florence, Italy; (C.C.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Rivera-Paredez B, Hidalgo-Bravo A, León-Reyes G, Antuna-Puente B, Flores YN, Salmerón J, Velázquez-Cruz R. Association of GC Variants with Bone Mineral Density and Serum VDBP Concentrations in Mexican Population. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081176. [PMID: 34440350 PMCID: PMC8391993 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) is encoded by the GC gene and is an active participant in the control of bone metabolism. However, the effect of its major variants on VDBP concentration and bone mineral density (BMD) remains unclear. Our aim was to analyze the effect of major GC variants on serum VDBP concentration and BMD. We recruited individuals from the Health Workers Cohort Study, which includes employees of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). A total of 1853 adults were included. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs7041 and rs4588 were genotyped to identify the three best characterized haplotypes of GC. Serum VBDP, 25(OH)D and BMD were also measured. Among women, the G allele of rs7041 was associated with higher VDBP and BMD compared to homozygous TT. The A allele of rs4588 was associated with lower VDBP and BMD compared to CC homozygous. In men, GC variants were only associated with VDBP levels. We did not observe an association between free/bioavailable 25(OH)D and BMD in men and women. Our results support an association of VDBP in bone health. The G and C alleles, from rs7041 and rs4588, respectively, are associated with high concentrations of VDBP and BMD in this sample of Mexican postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenice Rivera-Paredez
- Research Center in Policies, Population and Health, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico 04510, Mexico; (B.R.-P.); (J.S.)
| | - Alberto Hidalgo-Bravo
- Department of Genetics, National Institute of Rehabilitation (INR), Mexico 014389, Mexico;
| | - Guadalupe León-Reyes
- Genomics of Bone Metabolism Laboratory, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), Mexico 14610, Mexico;
| | - Bárbara Antuna-Puente
- Laboratory of Genomics of Cardiovascular Diseases, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), Mexico 14610, Mexico;
| | - Yvonne N. Flores
- Epidemiological and Health Services Research Unit, Morelos Delegation, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62000, Mexico;
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Department of Health Policy and Management and UCLA-Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Fielding School of Public Health and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jorge Salmerón
- Research Center in Policies, Population and Health, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico 04510, Mexico; (B.R.-P.); (J.S.)
| | - Rafael Velázquez-Cruz
- Genomics of Bone Metabolism Laboratory, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), Mexico 14610, Mexico;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-(55)-5350-1900; Fax: +52-(55)-5350-1999
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Cirrincione LR, Huang KJ. Sex and Gender Differences in Clinical Pharmacology: Implications for Transgender Medicine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2021; 110:897-908. [PMID: 33763856 PMCID: PMC8518665 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The transgender adult population is growing globally, but clinical pharmacology has lagged behind other areas of transgender medicine. Medical care for transgender adults may include long‐term testosterone or estrogen treatment to align secondary sex characteristics with gender identity. Clinicians often use drug–drug interaction data from the general adult population to predict medication disposition or safety among transgender adults. However, this approach does not address the complex pharmacodynamic effects of hormone therapy in transgender adults. In this review, we critically examine sex‐related and gender‐related differences in clinical pharmacology and apply these data to discuss current gaps in transgender medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kai J. Huang
- Department of Psychology University of California – Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
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Warren MF, Livingston KA. Implications of Vitamin D Research in Chickens can Advance Human Nutrition and Perspectives for the Future. Curr Dev Nutr 2021; 5:nzab018. [PMID: 33977215 PMCID: PMC7929256 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk of vitamin D insufficiency in humans is a global problem that requires improving ways to increase vitamin D intake. Supplements are a primary means for increasing vitamin D intake, but without a clear consensus on what constitutes vitamin D sufficiency, there is toxicity risk with taking supplements. Chickens have been used in many vitamin-D-related research studies, especially studies involving vitamin D supplementation. Our state-of-the-art review evaluates vitamin D metabolism and how the different hydroxylated forms are synthesized. We provide an overview of how vitamin D is absorbed, transported, excreted, and what tissues in the body store vitamin D metabolites. We also discuss a number of studies involving vitamin D supplementation with broilers and laying hens. Vitamin D deficiency and toxicity are also described and how they can be caused. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is important for vitamin D metabolism; however, there is much more to understand about VDR in chickens. Potential research aims involving vitamin D and chickens should explore VDR mechanisms that could lead to newer insights into VDR. Utilizing chickens in future research to help elucidate vitamin D mechanisms has great potential to advance human nutrition. Finding ways to increase vitamin D intake will be necessary because the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is leading to increased risk of vitamin D deficiency in many populations. Chickens can provide a dual purpose with addressing pandemic-caused vitamin D deficiency: 1) vitamin D supplementation gives chickens added-value with the possibility of leading to vitamin-D-enriched meat and egg products; and 2) using chickens in research provides data for translational research. We believe expanding vitamin-D-related research in chickens to include more nutritional aims in vitamin D status has great implications for developing better strategies to improve human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F Warren
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kimberly A Livingston
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN, USA
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Cirrincione LR, Huang KJ. Sex and Gender Differences in Clinical Pharmacology: Implications for Transgender Medicine. CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS 2021. [PMID: 33763856 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2234.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The transgender adult population is growing globally, but clinical pharmacology has lagged behind other areas of transgender medicine. Medical care for transgender adults may include long-term testosterone or estrogen treatment to align secondary sex characteristics with gender identity. Clinicians often use drug-drug interaction data from the general adult population to predict medication disposition or safety among transgender adults. However, this approach does not address the complex pharmacodynamic effects of hormone therapy in transgender adults. In this review, we critically examine sex-related and gender-related differences in clinical pharmacology and apply these data to discuss current gaps in transgender medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kai J Huang
- Department of Psychology, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Makris K, Bhattoa HP, Cavalier E, Phinney K, Sempos CT, Ulmer CZ, Vasikaran SD, Vesper H, Heijboer AC. Recommendations on the measurement and the clinical use of vitamin D metabolites and vitamin D binding protein - A position paper from the IFCC Committee on bone metabolism. Clin Chim Acta 2021; 517:171-197. [PMID: 33713690 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D, an important hormone with a central role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, is required for bone and muscle development as well as preservation of musculoskeletal function. The most abundant vitamin D metabolite is 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], which is currently considered the best marker to evaluate overall vitamin D status. 25(OH)D is therefore the most commonly measured metabolite in clinical practice. However, several other metabolites, although not broadly measured, are useful in certain clinical situations. Vitamin D and all its metabolites are circulating in blood bound to vitamin D binding protein, (VDBP). This highly polymorphic protein is not only the major transport protein which, along with albumin, binds over 99% of the circulating vitamin D metabolites, but also participates in the transport of the 25(OH)D into the cell via a megalin/cubilin complex. The accurate measurement of 25(OH)D has proved a difficult task. Although a reference method and standardization program are available for 25(OH)D, the other vitamin D metabolites still lack this. Interpretation of results, creation of clinical supplementation, and generation of therapeutic guidelines require not only accurate measurements of vitamin D metabolites, but also the accurate measurements of several other "molecules" related with bone metabolism. IFCC understood this priority and a committee has been established with the task to support and continue the standardization processes of vitamin D metabolites along with other bone-related biomarkers. In this review, we present the position of this IFCC Committee on Bone Metabolism on the latest developments concerning the measurement and standardization of vitamin D metabolites and its binding protein, as well as clinical indications for their measurement and interpretation of the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Makris
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, KAT General Hospital, 14561 Athens, Greece; Laboratory for Research of the Musculoskeletal System "Th. Garofalidis", Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Harjit P Bhattoa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Etienne Cavalier
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Liège, CHU de Liège, Domaine du Sart-Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Karen Phinney
- Biomolecular Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Christopher T Sempos
- Coordinator, Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP), Havre de Grace, MD 21078, USA
| | - Candice Z Ulmer
- Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Samuel D Vasikaran
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Hubert Vesper
- Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Annemieke C Heijboer
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Endocrine Laboratory, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Cirrincione LR, Narla RR. Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy and Bone Health: Do Different Regimens Influence Outcomes in Transgender Adults? A Narrative Review and Call for Future Studies. J Appl Lab Med 2021; 6:219-235. [PMID: 33432334 DOI: 10.1093/jalm/jfaa213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) influences bone health in transgender individuals. Several hormone preparations and administration routes are available for GAHT, but no studies have compared clinical and laboratory bone health measures across different GAHT regimens. CONTENT We searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and Google Scholar for studies measuring bone turnover markers and bone mineral density before and during GAHT in transgender adults. We summarized bone health data by hormone type and administration route (estrogen or testosterone; oral, transdermal/percutaneous, intramuscular). Among trans women, we also examined outcomes among regimens containing different adjunctive agents (antiandrogens or gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs). SUMMARY Most hormone preparations maintained or increased areal bone mineral density among trans adults taking GAHT for at least 12 months from baseline. Different bone turnover markers were measured across studies, and we were unable to compare or comment on the direct influence of selected hormone preparations on these clinical laboratory measures. Larger and uniformed studies are needed to measure volumetric bone mineral density and biomarkers of bone metabolism in trans adults taking standardized GAHT regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Radhika R Narla
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Rozga M, Linsenmeyer W, Cantwell Wood J, Darst V, Gradwell E. Hormone therapy, health outcomes and the role of nutrition in transgender individuals: A scoping review. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2020; 40:42-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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