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Lee JY, Kim S, Kim H, Yeon SH, Kim SY, Son RH, Park CL, Lee YH. Improvement in Testosterone Production by Acorus gramineus for the Alleviation of Andropause Symptoms. J Med Food 2024; 27:740-748. [PMID: 38828543 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2023.k.0332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Acorus gramineus has a number of beneficial effects, including protective effects against age-related disorders. In this study, the effects of A. gramineus on testosterone production and andropause symptoms were evaluated. We first treated TM3 mouse Leydig cells, responsible for testosterone production, with A. gramineus aqueous extract at different concentrations. In TM3 cells, the testosterone concentration increased in a concentration-dependent manner compared with those in the control. In addition, at 400 μg/mL extract, the mRNA expression level of the steroidogenic enzyme CYP11A1 was increased. Subsequently, 23-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats exhibiting an age-related reduction in serum testosterone (approximately 80% lower than that in 7-week-old SD rats) were administered A. gramineus aqueous extract for 8 weeks. Serum total testosterone and free testosterone levels were higher and serum estradiol, prostate-specific antigen levels, and total cholesterol levels were lower in the AG50 group (A. gramineus aqueous extract 50 mg/kg of body weight/day) than in the OLD (control group). The AG50 group also showed significant elevations in sperm count, grip strength, and mRNA expression of StAR, CYP11A1, 17β-HSD, and CYP17A1 compared with those in the OLD group. In conclusion, A. gramineus aqueous extract facilitated steroidogenesis in Leydig cells, elevated testosterone levels, lowered serum estradiol and total cholesterol levels, and increased muscle strength and sperm count, thus alleviating the symptoms of andropause. These findings suggest that A. gramineus aqueous extract is a potentially effective therapeutic agent against various symptoms associated with andropause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Yoon Lee
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Suwon, Hwasung, South Korea
| | - Seokho Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Suwon, Hwasung, South Korea
| | - Hongeun Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Suwon, Hwasung, South Korea
| | - Sung-Hum Yeon
- Healthcare Research Division, Huons(O) Global Ltd., Seongnam(O), South Korea
| | - Sang-Yoon Kim
- Healthcare Research Division, Huons(O) Global Ltd., Seongnam(O), South Korea
| | - Rak Ho Son
- Healthcare Research Division, Huons(O) Global Ltd., Seongnam(O), South Korea
| | - Chae Lee Park
- Healthcare Research Division, Huons(O) Global Ltd., Seongnam(O), South Korea
| | - Yoo-Hyun Lee
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Suwon, Hwasung, South Korea
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Ysrraelit MC, Correale J. Impact of Andropause on Multiple Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2021; 12:766308. [PMID: 34803897 PMCID: PMC8602357 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.766308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Andropause results from the natural decrease in testosterone levels that occurs with age. In contrast to menopause, which is a universal, well-characterized process associated with absolute gonadal failure, andropause ensues after gradual decline of both hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, as well as of testicular function, a process which usually develops over a period of many years. Increasing evidence on greater risk of Multiple sclerosis (MS) associated with lower testosterone levels is being reported. Likewise, epidemiological studies have shown a later age of onset of MS in men, relative to women, which could perhaps respond to the decline in protective testosterone levels. In this review, we will discuss the role of androgens in the development and function of the innate and adaptive immune response, as well as in neuroprotective mechanisms relevant to MS. Testosterone effects observed in different animal models and in epidemiological studies in humans will be discussed, as well as their correlation with physical disability and cognitive function levels. Finally, published and ongoing clinical trials exploring the role of androgens, particularly at key stages of sexual maturation, will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Ysrraelit
- Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia (FLENI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge Correale
- Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia (FLENI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
Over the past two decades several large cohort studies have been performed to disclose the changes of sex hormone in elderly and their clinical significance. Beyond the decline of total testosterone, aging is accompanied by a sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) increase, a steeper free testosterone decline, while gonadotropins may be increased or inappropriately normal, with important contribution of comorbidities (e.g., obesity) to these changes. Actually, it has become firm the concept that the biochemical finding of testosterone deficiency alone is not sufficient for diagnosing hypogonadism in older men. The definition of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) includes low serum testosterone levels coupled with signs and symptoms related to hypogonadism. Indeed, the combination of multiple factors all contributing to the testosterone decline, with other concurrent comorbidities further overlapping, makes the clinical correlates of LOH highly heterogeneous. For all these reasons both the diagnosis and the therapeutic management of LOH, especially the decision about starting testosterone replacement treatment, remain challenging.
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Khawar MB, Liu C, Gao F, Gao H, Liu W, Han T, Wang L, Li G, Jiang H, Li W. Sirt1 regulates testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells via modulating autophagy. Protein Cell 2021; 12:67-75. [PMID: 33048320 PMCID: PMC7815870 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Babar Khawar
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fengyi Gao
- School of Biotechnology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, China
| | - Hui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Wenwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tingting Han
- The MOH key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lina Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guoping Li
- The MOH key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Department of Human Sperm Bank, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Liu YJ, Shen XB, Yu N, Shang XJ, Gu YQ, Zuo LD, Xiong CL, Ye Z, Zhou YZ. Prevalence of late-onset hypogonadism among middle-aged and elderly males in China: results from a national survey. Asian J Androl 2021; 23:170-177. [PMID: 33154202 PMCID: PMC7991815 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_59_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to propose an operational definition of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) that incorporates both clinical symptoms and serum testosterone measurements to evaluate the prevalence of LOH in aging males in China. A population-based sample of 6296 men aged 40 years-79 years old was enrolled from six representative provinces in China. Serum total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured and free testosterone (cFT) was calculated. The Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale was used to evaluate the LOH symptoms. Finally, 5078 men were included in this analysis. The TT levels did not decrease with age (P = 0.59), and had no relationship with AMS symptoms (P = 0.87 for AMS total score, P = 0.74 for ≥ 3 sexual symptoms). The cFT levels decreased significantly with age (P < 0.01) and showed a negative association with the presence of ≥ 3 sexual symptoms (P = 0.03). The overall estimated prevalence of LOH was 7.8% (395/5078) if a cFT level <210 pmol l-1 combined with the presence of ≥ 3 sexual symptoms was used as the criterion of LOH. Among them, 26.1% (103/395) and 73.9% (292/395) had primary and secondary hypogonadism, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, primary and secondary hypogonadism was positively related to age and comorbidities. Body mass index was an independent risk factor for secondary hypogonadism. The results suggest that the AMS total score is not an appropriate indicator for decreased testosterone, and that the cFT level is more reliable than TT for LOH diagnosis. Secondary hypogonadism is the most common form of LOH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jun Liu
- School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Xu-Bo Shen
- School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Na Yu
- Scientific Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guang Dong Medical University (Long Jiang Hospital of Shunde District Foshan City), Foshan 528318, China
| | - Xue-Jun Shang
- Department of Andrology, Eastern Theater General Hospital, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Yi-Qun Gu
- Institute of Science and Technology, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Lian-Dong Zuo
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Cheng-Liang Xiong
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhen Ye
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan 430013, China
| | - Yuan-Zhong Zhou
- School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
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