Aging and Therapy

Question 1

2 main factors contributing to the deterioration of glucose metabolism in aging individuals

Answer 1

• decrease in insulin secretion by beta cells
• increase in insulin resistance

Question 2

what changes occur in the thyroid as we age?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

what changes occur in GH secretion?

Answer 3

decrease from pit gland

Question 4

what changes occur in the liver?

Answer 4

decrease in insulin like growth factor 1 production

Question 5

what hormonal changes are observed?

Answer 5

decrease production of estradiol, testosterone and DHEA

Question 6

what is a cause of low FSH levels in men?

Answer 6

use of testosterone or steroids

Question 7

how does the use of T or steroids affect FSH in men

Answer 7

can lead to negative feedback mechanisms, causing shutdown of natural FSH production

Question 8

what are the consequences of low FSH in men?

Answer 8

shutdown of sperm production, infertility

Question 9

how do the effects of T or steroid use on FSH levels change w prolonged use?

Answer 9

are more pronounced w lower testosterone or steroid use

Question 10

what is the implication of reduced serum insulin like factor 3 levels in former androgen users?

Answer 10

suggest impaired leydig cell capacity, contributes to disruption of normal hormonal balance and reproductive function

Question 11

what happens to DHEA and T levels as we age?

Answer 11

both decline in males and females

Question 12

what are some adverse effects of testosterone supplementation

Answer 12

acne, oily skin, hair loss

• increased hematocrit, sleep apnea, accleration of prostate cancer growth

Question 13

T therapy may pose an increased risk of..

Answer 13

heart attack, stroke, blood clots

Question 14

Functions of Ovarian Estrogen and Progesterone

Answer 14

-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

Question 15

What happens after menopause (avg age 51)? Should E and/or P be replaced (ET = estrogen therapy; HT = hormone replacement therapy)?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

What were the Women’s Health Initiative trials designed to investigate?

Answer 16

were designed to investigate the effects of hormone therapy on postmenopausal women’s health

Question 17

Why were the estrogen/progestin treatments stopped early in the Women’s Health Initiative trials?

Answer 17

they were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular problems such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke

Question 18

What were some of the findings of the Women’s Health Initiative trials regarding hormone therapy?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

What is the current recommendation regarding hormone therapy based on the Women’s Health Initiative findings?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What have newer studies suggested regarding hormone therapy?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

How do questions about the effectiveness of PEDs relate to hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

why are government-sponsored sport organizations often not interested in the long-term health effects of PEDs on athlete health?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

What is the disparity in regulations between substances like Vitamin D and meldonium?

Answer 23

While substances like Vitamin D are not banned, others like meldonium are prohibited in sports, indicating discrepancies in the regulation of performance-enhancing substances.