Aging and Therapy Flashcards
2 main factors contributing to the deterioration of glucose metabolism in aging individuals
- decrease in insulin secretion by beta cells
- increase in insulin resistance
what changes occur in the thyroid as we age?
small decrease in TSH secretion from pit gland and large decrease in metabolism of thyroxine (t4) in peripheral tissues, resulting in stable T4 levels but declining t3
what changes occur in GH secretion?
decrease from pit gland
what changes occur in the liver?
decrease in insulin like growth factor 1 production
what hormonal changes are observed?
decrease production of estradiol, testosterone and DHEA
what is a cause of low FSH levels in men?
use of testosterone or steroids
how does the use of T or steroids affect FSH in men
can lead to negative feedback mechanisms, causing shutdown of natural FSH production
what are the consequences of low FSH in men?
shutdown of sperm production, infertility
how do the effects of T or steroid use on FSH levels change w prolonged use?
are more pronounced w lower testosterone or steroid use
what is the implication of reduced serum insulin like factor 3 levels in former androgen users?
suggest impaired leydig cell capacity, contributes to disruption of normal hormonal balance and reproductive function
what happens to DHEA and T levels as we age?
both decline in males and females
what are some adverse effects of testosterone supplementation
acne, oily skin, hair loss
- increased hematocrit, sleep apnea, accleration of prostate cancer growth
T therapy may pose an increased risk of..
heart attack, stroke, blood clots
Functions of Ovarian Estrogen and Progesterone
-Maintain reproductive function
-Modulate cardiovascular,neural, immune, gastrointestinal, musculo-skeletal
systems (anti-resorptive effect on bone)
-Estrogen and progesterone increase during pregnancy – good for uterine
environment, but also change mother’s metabolism and cardiovascular function
What happens after menopause (avg age 51)? Should E and/or P be replaced (ET = estrogen therapy; HT = hormone replacement therapy)?
- vasomotor flushes, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms
-risk for osteoporosis, coronary heart disease (CHD) increases (vs. age-matched
premenopause) - stroke and dementia risk increase with age, but is it related to E and/or P?
Studies suggested ET would reduce CHD by 50% and since leading killer is huge!
Also decrease osteoporosis big benefit
What were the Women’s Health Initiative trials designed to investigate?
were designed to investigate the effects of hormone therapy on postmenopausal women’s health
Why were the estrogen/progestin treatments stopped early in the Women’s Health Initiative trials?
they were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular problems such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke
What were some of the findings of the Women’s Health Initiative trials regarding hormone therapy?
hormone therapy could reduce fractures and colon cancer risk. However, the risks of hormone therapy, including an increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular problems, outweighed these benefits.
What is the current recommendation regarding hormone therapy based on the Women’s Health Initiative findings?
to use hormone therapy (HT) only for the shortest duration possible to manage menopausal symptoms, as the risks may outweigh the benefits with long-term use.
What have newer studies suggested regarding hormone therapy?
that lower and intermittent doses of hormone therapy may have positive effects on estrogen levels and enhanced bone density, providing a potentially safer alternative to traditional hormone therapy regimens.
How do questions about the effectiveness of PEDs relate to hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
Questions about the effectiveness of PEDs arise from the fact that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) cannot cure aging, leading to doubts about whether PEDs truly work to enhance performance.
why are government-sponsored sport organizations often not interested in the long-term health effects of PEDs on athlete health?
may prioritize short-term athletic success over long-term athlete health, leading to a lack of interest in the potential long-term health effects of PEDs.
What is the disparity in regulations between substances like Vitamin D and meldonium?
While substances like Vitamin D are not banned, others like meldonium are prohibited in sports, indicating discrepancies in the regulation of performance-enhancing substances.
