Seasonal Variations in Sex Steroids in a Young Male Population and Their Relationship with Plasma Levels of Vitamin D

The Impact of Vitamin D and L-Cysteine Co-Supplementation on Upregulating Glutathione and Vitamin D-Metabolizing Genes and in the Treatment of Circulating 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D receptors are expressed in many organs and tissues, which suggests that vitamin D (VD) affects physiological functions beyond its role in maintaining bone health. Deficiency or inadequacy of 25(OH)VD is widespread globally. Population studies demonstrate that a positive association exists between a high incidence of VD deficiency and a high incidence of chronic diseases, including dementia, diabetes, and heart disease. However, many subjects have difficulty achieving the required circulating levels of 25(OH)VD even after high-dose VD supplementation, and randomized controlled clinical trials have reported limited therapeutic success post-VD supplementation. Thus, there is a discordance between the benefits of VD supplementation and the prevention of chronic diseases in those with VD deficiency. Why this dissociation exists is currently under debate and is of significant public interest. This review discusses the downregulation of VD-metabolizing genes needed to convert consumed VD into 25(OH)VD to enable its metabolic action exhibited by subjects with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and other chronic diseases. Research findings indicate a positive correlation between the levels of 25(OH)VD and glutathione (GSH) in both healthy and diabetic individuals. Cell culture and animal experiments reveal a novel mechanism through which the status of GSH can positively impact the expression of VD metabolism genes. This review highlights that for better success, VD deficiency needs to be corrected at multiple levels: (i) VD supplements and/or VD-rich foods need to be consumed to provide adequate VD, and (ii) the body needs to be able to upregulate VD-metabolizing genes to convert VD into 25(OH)VD and then to 1,25(OH)2VD to enhance its metabolic action. This review outlines the association between 25(OH)VD deficiency/inadequacy and decreased GSH levels, highlighting the positive impact of combined VD+LC supplementation on upregulating GSH, VD-metabolizing genes, and VDR. These effects have the potential to enhance 25(OH)VD levels and its therapeutic efficacy.

Association Between Atopic Dermatitis and Aging: Clinical Observations and Underlying Mechanisms

As one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin diseases, atopic dermatitis (AD) increasingly affects the aging population. Amid the ongoing global aging trend, it's essential to recognize the intricate relationship between AD and aging. This paper reviews existing knowledge, summarizing clinical observations of associations between AD and aging-related diseases in various systems, including endocrine, cardiovascular, and neurological. Additionally, it discusses major theories explaining the correlation, encompassing skin-mucosal barriers, systemic inflammation and stress, genes, signal transduction, and environmental and behavioral factors. The association between AD and aging holds significant importance, both in population and basic perspectives. While further research is warranted, this paper aims to inspire deeper exploration of inflammation/allergy-aging dynamics and the timely management of elderly patients with AD.

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Testosterone, Prostate, and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Prospective, Comparative Study

PURPOSE

Several studies have associated the serum vitamin D level with total testosterone levels and the prostate volume. Herein, we investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone, prostate, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Men over 40 years of age diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D <20 ng/mL) who received vitamin D supplementation for one year were included in the study and administered 25,000 IU of cholecalciferol every 2 weeks. Prostate ultrasound, uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume measurement, and serological tests (serum testosterone levels, etc.) were performed upon diagnosis and one year later. Participants also answered the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Aging Males' Symptoms Scale (AMS) questionnaires.

RESULTS

A significant increase was observed in the vitamin D level following one year of vitamin D supplementation, with a significant decrease in the postvoid residual urine volume, total IPSS score and without a significant change in the prostate volume. Improved psychological subscale score of AMS questionnaire was observed with a statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D supplementation suppressed the increase in the prostate volume and improved the LUTS. Although there is no direct effect on serum testosterone levels, vitamin D supplementation helped improve hypogonadal symptoms.

Association Between Trichoscopic Features and Serum Hormone Levels and Vitamin D Concentration in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia in Eastern China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common dermatological condition, with reported associations between serum vitamin D and sex hormone levels. However, the relationship between these factors and the severity of hair loss remains unclear.

Patients and Methods

Our cross-sectional study included 310 AGA patients who visited the dermatology clinic and underwent trichoscopy examinations throughout 2021. We collected data on serum sex hormones and 25(OH)D levels during their consultations. TrichoScan analysis was used to characterize and quantify AGA severity based on hair density and vellus hair proportions in the central scalp area, which were then correlated with the collected indicators.

Results

The study findings reflect the basic demographic characteristics of AGA patients in the Chinese population. We discovered a significant negative correlation between serum SHBG levels and AGA severity in women, but no association was found in men. Serum testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and 25(OH)D levels showed no significant correlation with the severity of androgenetic alopecia, regardless of gender.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relationship between serum sex hormones, vitamin D, and AGA severity using trichoscopic scalp hair features.

Using LC-MS/MS to Determine Salivary Steroid Reference Intervals in a European Older Adult Population

A number of steroids, including glucocorticoids and sex hormones, have been associated with neurodegenerative and cardiovascular conditions common in aging populations. The application of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) steroid analysis offers an opportunity to conduct simultaneous multiplex steroid analysis within a given sample. In this paper, we describe the application of an LC-MS/MS steroid analysis method for the assessment of reference ranges of steroids in human saliva samples (200 µL) collected from older adults (age 50 years and above) enrolled in a European cohort investigating the risk for Alzheimer's dementia. Saliva samples were prepared using supported liquid extraction (SLE) along with a calibration curve and analysed using a Waters I-Class UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography) and a Sciex QTrap 6500+ mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometry parameters of steroids were optimised for each steroid and a method for the chromatographic separation of 19 steroids was developed. Lower limits of quantitation (LLOQs), linearity and other method criteria were assessed. In total, data from 125 participants (500 samples) were analysed and assessed for reference ranges (64 male, 61 female). A total of 19 steroids were detected in saliva within the range of the method. There were clear diurnal patterns in most of the steroid hormones detected. Sex differences were observed for androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T), cortisone (E) and aldosterone (Aldo). In the first sample of the day, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was significantly higher in healthy volunteers compared to those with Alzheimer's disease biomarkers. This LC-MS/MS method is suitable for the analysis of 19 steroids in saliva in adults.