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Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Resistance exercise can significantly increase serum steroid concentrations after an exercise bout. Steroid hormones are involved in the regulation of several important...
INTRODUCTION
Resistance exercise can significantly increase serum steroid concentrations after an exercise bout. Steroid hormones are involved in the regulation of several important bodily functions (e.g., muscle growth) through both systemic delivery and local production. Thus, we aimed to determine whether resistance exercise-induced increases in serum steroid hormone concentrations are accompanied by enhanced skeletal muscle steroid concentrations, or whether muscle contractions per se induced by resistance exercise can increase intramuscular steroid concentrations.
METHODS
A counterbalanced, within-subject, crossover design was applied. Six resistance-trained men (26 ± 5 years; 79 ± 8 kg; 179 ± 10 cm) performed a single-arm lateral raise exercise (10 sets of 8 to 12 RM - 3 min rest between sets) targeting the deltoid muscle followed by either squat exercise (10 sets of 8 to 12 RM - 1 min rest) to induce a hormonal response (high hormone [HH] condition) or rest (low hormone [LH] condition). Blood samples were obtained pre-exercise and 15 min and 30 min post-exercise; muscle specimens were harvested pre-exercise and 45 min post-exercise. Immunoassays were used to measure serum and muscle steroids (total and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, dihydrotestosterone, and cortisol; free testosterone measured only in serum and dehydroepiandrosterone only in muscle) at these time points.
RESULTS
In the serum, only cortisol significantly increased after the HH protocol. There were no significant changes in muscle steroid concentrations after the protocols.
DISCUSSION
Our study provides evidence that serum steroid concentration increases (cortisol only) seem not to be aligned with muscle steroid concentrations. The lack of change in muscle steroid after protocols suggests that resistance-trained individuals were desensitized to the exercise stimuli. It is also possible that the single postexercise timepoint investigated in this study might be too early or too late to observe changes. Thus, additional timepoints should be examined to determine if RE can indeed change muscle steroid concentrations either by skeletal muscle uptake of these hormones or the intramuscular steroidogenesis process.
Topics: Humans; Male; Dihydrotestosterone; Hydrocortisone; Muscle, Skeletal; Steroids; Testosterone; Cross-Over Studies
PubMed: 37077354
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1081056 -
European Journal of Sport Science Jul 2022Sex steroids, commonly referred to as sex hormones, are integral to the development and maintenance of the human reproductive system. In addition, male (androgens) and... (Review)
Review
Sex steroids, commonly referred to as sex hormones, are integral to the development and maintenance of the human reproductive system. In addition, male (androgens) and female (estrogens and progestogens) sex hormones promote the development of secondary sex characteristics by targeting a range of other tissues, including skeletal muscle. The role of androgens on skeletal muscle mass, function and metabolism has been well described in males, yet female specific studies are scarce in the literature. This narrative review summarises the available evidence around the mechanistic role of androgens, estrogens and progestogens in female skeletal muscle. An analysis of the literature indicates that sex steroids play important roles in the regulation of female skeletal muscle mass and function. The free fractions of testosterone and progesterone in serum were consistently associated with the regulation of muscle mass, while estrogens may be primarily involved in mediating the muscle contractile function in conjunction with other sex hormones. Muscle strength was however not directly associated with any hormone in isolation when at physiological concentrations. Importantly, recent evidence suggests that intramuscular sex hormone concentrations may be more strongly associated with muscle size and function than circulating forms, providing interesting opportunities for future research. By combining cross-sectional, interventional and mechanical studies, this review aims to provide a broad, multidisciplinary picture of the current knowledge of the effects of sex steroids on skeletal muscle in females, with a focus on the regulation of muscle size and function and an insight into their clinical implications. HighlightsFree testosterone, but not total testosterone, is associated with lean mass but not strength in pre- and post-menopausal females.Progesterone and estrogens may regulate muscle mass and strength, respectively, in females.Intra-muscular steroids may be more closely associated to muscle mass and strength, compared to systemic fractions.
Topics: Androgens; Cross-Sectional Studies; Estrogens; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; Progesterone; Progestins; Steroids; Testosterone
PubMed: 33890831
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2021.1921854 -
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and... Oct 2022Studies reporting age-specific reference ranges of endogenous sex steroid hormones in postmenopausal women are relatively scarce. If levels differ by age, dosing and...
Studies reporting age-specific reference ranges of endogenous sex steroid hormones in postmenopausal women are relatively scarce. If levels differ by age, dosing and treatment regimens should vary among postmenopausal women accordingly. Our objective was to establish reference ranges for sex steroid hormones and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) by age group and overall, and to investigate their association with demographic characteristics. Serum samples were obtained from 1207 healthy postmenopausal women aged 41-92, not using hormone therapy, at the baseline visit of 3 clinical trials. Estrone (E), estradiol (E), and total testosterone (T) were measured by radioimmunoassay with preceding purification steps; SHBG was measured by direct chemiluminescent immunoassay. Free T (FT) was calculated. Women were categorized by 5-year age groups. There was little change in the mean estrogen levels among the different age groups (E: 9-12 pg/mL; E: 33-35 pg/mL). Mean total T levels increased gradually with age from 19.9-26.2 ng/dL, but FT mean levels were relatively constant (3.7-4.6 pg/mL). Mean SHBG levels increased with age from 43-68 nmol/L. A generalized linear model tested the association of each demographic characteristic with the hormones and SHBG. A significant association was derived. Our study provides valuable insight into the profiles of serum sex steroid hormones and SHBG in different healthy postmenopausal women aged 41-92 years.
Topics: Estradiol; Estrogens; Estrone; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Postmenopause; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; Testosterone
PubMed: 35182725
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106080 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Dec 2023This study aims to clarify the effect of postmenopausal bilateral oophorectomy on plasma steroid hormone levels. Women who were submitted in the postmenopausal period to...
This study aims to clarify the effect of postmenopausal bilateral oophorectomy on plasma steroid hormone levels. Women who were submitted in the postmenopausal period to hysterectomy for uterine benign conditions were divided into two groups: 18 women had isolated hysterectomy and 11 had hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. In both groups serum hormone levels were quantified by solid phase extraction and gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Differences in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone, androstenedione and oestradiol were determined in both groups. The analysis revealed lower steroid levels in the bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy group when compared to the isolated hysterectomy group with statistically significant differences found for DHEA (5.8 ± 3.2 vs. 9.4 ± 4.4 ng/mL; = 0.019) and oestradiol (0.69 ± 0.4 vs. 1.48 ± 4.3 ng/mL; = 0.007). The results are consistent with a significant endocrine activity of the postmenopausal ovary. The clinical consequences of these findings need to be clarified and postmenopausal prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy re-evaluated.IMPACT STATEMENT Although it is consensual that premenopausal prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy should not be performed because it has harmful effects on women's health, the evidence regarding the effects of postmenopausal prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy is scarce and this procedure continues to be a regular practice. Few studies have demonstrated that postmenopausal ovaries still have endocrine activity that may impact older women's health. This is the first study to compare hormone levels of postmenopausal women based on their hysterectomy and oophorectomy status using GC-MS/MS, a highly sensitive bioanalytical assay for the measurement of steroid hormones. Previous studies relied on immunoassays and did not compare DHEA levels, which according to the intracrinology theory is a precursor for androgens and oestrogens. In this study, statistically significant lower levels of DHEA and oestradiol were found after postmenopausal bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This is a pilot study that may lead to further investigation in this area to clarify the impact of the prophylactic removal of postmenopausal ovaries on older women's health and lead to changes in surgical procedures.
Topics: Female; Humans; Aged; Ovary; Postmenopause; Pilot Projects; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Ovariectomy; Hysterectomy; Estradiol; Steroids; Uterine Diseases; Dehydroepiandrosterone
PubMed: 36331514
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2141618 -
Clinical Chemistry Jun 2009New high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods are among the most successful approaches to improve specificity problems inherent... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
New high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods are among the most successful approaches to improve specificity problems inherent in many immunoassays.
CONTENT
We emphasize problems with immunoassays for the measurement of steroids and review the emerging role of LC-MS/MS in the measurement of clinically relevant steroids. The latest generation of tandem mass spectrometers has superior limits of quantification, permitting omission of previously employed derivatization steps. The measurement of steroid profiles in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal insufficiency, chronic pelvic pain and prostatitis, oncology (breast cancer), and athletes has important new applications.
CONCLUSIONS
LC-MS/MS now affords the specificity, imprecision, and limits of quantification necessary for the reliable measurement of steroids in human fluids, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, particularly when steroid profiles are available.
Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Hormones; Humans; Sensitivity and Specificity; Steroids; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 19325015
DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2007.100008 -
Biomolecules Feb 2021Alterations in myelin, the protective and insulating sheath surrounding axons, affect brain function, as is evident in demyelinating diseases where the loss of myelin... (Review)
Review
Alterations in myelin, the protective and insulating sheath surrounding axons, affect brain function, as is evident in demyelinating diseases where the loss of myelin leads to cognitive and motor dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that changes in myelination, including both hyper- and hypo-myelination, may also play a role in numerous neurological and psychiatric diseases. Protecting myelin and promoting remyelination is thus crucial for a wide range of disorders. Oligodendrocytes (OLs) are the cells that generate myelin, and oligodendrogenesis, the creation of new OLs, continues throughout life and is necessary for myelin plasticity and remyelination. Understanding the regulation of oligodendrogenesis and myelin plasticity within disease contexts is, therefore, critical for the development of novel therapeutic targets. In our companion manuscript, we review literature demonstrating that multiple hormone classes are involved in the regulation of oligodendrogenesis under physiological conditions. The majority of hormones enhance oligodendrogenesis, increasing oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation and inducing maturation and myelin production in OLs. Thus, hormonal treatments present a promising route to promote remyelination. Here, we review the literature on hormonal regulation of oligodendrogenesis within the context of disorders. We focus on steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids and sex hormones, peptide hormones such as insulin-like growth factor 1, and thyroid hormones. For each hormone, we describe whether they aid in OL survival, differentiation, or remyelination, and we discuss their mechanisms of action, if known. Several of these hormones have yielded promising results in both animal models and in human conditions; however, a better understanding of hormonal effects, interactions, and their mechanisms will ultimately lead to more targeted therapeutics for myelin repair.
Topics: Amino Acids; Animals; Apoptosis; Brain; Cell Differentiation; Estrogens; Female; Hormones; Humans; Insulin; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Male; Melatonin; Mice; Myelin Sheath; Neuroglia; Oligodendroglia; Prolactin; Rats; Remyelination; Steroids; Thyroid Hormones
PubMed: 33669242
DOI: 10.3390/biom11020290 -
Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy 2012Mifepristone is a progesterone receptor antagonist widely used in obstetrics. The aim of the study was to focus on free corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and also... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
UNLABELLED
Mifepristone is a progesterone receptor antagonist widely used in obstetrics. The aim of the study was to focus on free corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and also describe modulation of adrenal and placental steroid hormone concentrations induced by mifepristone.
METHODS
Twenty-six women were enrolled in the study. They received mifepristone for termination of pregnancy. Maternal blood samples were retrieved before administration of mifepristone (600 mg) and 48 h after, just before induction of labor. Bound and free CRH levels were determined in maternal blood concomitantly with cortisol, estriol, progesterone and SDHEA levels. Also paired fetal cord blood samples were collected.
RESULTS
Maternal plasmatic CRH level did not change after mifepristone absorption but free CRH increased significantly (0.500 ± 0.326 vs. 0.388 ± 0.303 ng/ml, p = 0.040). A significant decrease of progesterone was observed (83.6 ± 49.3 vs. 95.6 ± 54.9 ng/ml, p = 0.001) with a lower progesterone/estriol ratio (26.9 ± 15.7 vs. 40.7 ± 31.1, p = 0.004). There was a strong association between maternal and fetal free CRH (r² = 0.675, p = 0.001), cortisol (r² = 0.570, p = 0.019), and positive but modest correlation for progesterone (r² = 0.341, p = 0.046) and estriol (r² = 0.379, p = 0.025) levels.
CONCLUSION
Mifepristone has an effect on free CRH level and changes the estriol-progesterone balance.
Topics: Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; Abortion, Therapeutic; Adrenal Cortex; Adult; Algorithms; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; Estriol; Female; Fetal Blood; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Mifepristone; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus; Placenta; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Progesterone; Receptors, Progesterone
PubMed: 22759411
DOI: 10.1159/000338927 -
Neuropharmacology Nov 2021The membrane cholesterol was found to bind and modulate the function of several G-protein coupled receptors including muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. We investigated...
The membrane cholesterol was found to bind and modulate the function of several G-protein coupled receptors including muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. We investigated the binding of 20 steroidal compounds including neurosteroids and steroid hormones to muscarinic receptors. Corticosterone, progesterone and some neurosteroids bound to muscarinic receptors with the affinity of 100 nM or greater. We established a structure-activity relationship for steroid-based allosteric modulators of muscarinic receptors. Further, we show that corticosterone and progesterone allosterically modulate the functional response of muscarinic receptors to acetylcholine at physiologically relevant concentrations. It can play a role in stress control or in pregnancy, conditions where levels of these hormones dramatically oscillate. Allosteric modulation of muscarinic receptors via the cholesterol-binding site represents a new pharmacological approach at diseases associated with altered cholinergic signalling.
Topics: Acetylcholine; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Allosteric Regulation; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Corticosterone; Cricetinae; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Neurosteroids; Progesterone; Receptors, Muscarinic
PubMed: 34555368
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108798 -
Journal of Investigative Medicine : the... Jan 2012Asthma is a complex, multifactorial disease comprising multiple different subtypes, rather than a single disease entity, yet it has a consistent clinical phenotype:... (Review)
Review
Asthma is a complex, multifactorial disease comprising multiple different subtypes, rather than a single disease entity, yet it has a consistent clinical phenotype: recurring episodes of chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing (Pediatr Pulmonol Suppl. 1997;15:9-12). Despite the complex pathogenesis of asthma, steroid hormones (eg, glucocorticoids) are ubiquitous in the short-term and long-term management of all types of asthma. Overall, steroid hormones are a class of widely relevant, biologically active compounds originating from cholesterol and altered in a stepwise fashion, but maintain a basic 17-carbon, 4-ring structure. Steroids are lipophilic molecules that diffuse readily through cell membranes to directly and/or indirectly affect gene transcription. In addition, they use rapid, nongenomic actions to affect cellular products. Steroid hormones comprise several groups (including glucocorticoids, sex steroid hormones, and secosteroids) with critical divergent biological and physiological functions relevant to health and disease. However, the conserved homology of steroid hormone molecules, receptors, and signaling pathways suggests that each of these is part of a dynamic system of hormone interaction, likely involving an overlap of downstream signaling mechanisms. Therefore, we will review the similarities and differences of these 3 groups of steroid hormones (ie, glucocorticoids, sex steroid hormones, and secosteroids), identifying nuclear factor κB as a common inflammatory mediator. Despite our understanding of the impact of individual steroids (eg, glucocorticoids, sex steroids and secosteroids) on asthma, research has yet to explain the interplay of the dynamic system in which these hormones function. To do so, there needs to be a better understanding of the interplay of classic, nonclassic, and nongenomic steroid hormone functions. However, clues from the conserved homology steroid hormone structure and function and signaling pathways offer insight into a possible model of steroid hormone regulation of inflammation in asthma through common nuclear factor κB-mediated downstream events.
Topics: Animals; Asthma; Conserved Sequence; Hormones; Humans; Inflammation; NF-kappa B; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Steroids
PubMed: 22183120
DOI: 10.2310/JIM.0b013e31823d7989 -
Steroids Jun 2011Cigarette tobacco smoke is a potent environmental contaminant known to adversely affect health including fertility and pregnancy.
CONTEXT
Cigarette tobacco smoke is a potent environmental contaminant known to adversely affect health including fertility and pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations between second-hand cigarette tobacco-smoke exposure, or active smoking and serum concentrations of steroid hormones using tandem mass spectrometry.
DESIGN
Healthy women (18-45 y) from the general community in the Metropolitan Washington, DC were recruited at the follicular stage of their menstrual cycle. Participants were assigned to one of three study groups: active smokers (N=107), passive smokers (N=86), or non-smokers (N=100). Classifications were based on a combination of self-reporting and serum cotinine concentrations.
METHODS
Serum androgens, estrogens, progestins, androstenedione, aldosterone, cortisol, corticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), 11-deoxycortisol and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25-OHVitD3) and cotinine were measured by isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) (API-5000). Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess median differences among the three groups, with Dunn's multiple comparison test for post hoc analysis.
RESULTS
Serum estrone, estradiol, and estriol concentrations were lower in active and passive smokers than in non-smokers. The three study groups differed significantly in serum concentrations of 16-OHE1, aldosterone and 25-OHVitD3, as well as in the ratios of many of the steroids. Pair-wise comparison of the groups demonstrated significant differences in hormone concentrations between (i) smokers and non-smokers for aldosterone: (ii) passive smokers and non-smokers for aldosterone, progesterone and estriol. Moreover, for smokers and passive smokers, there were no significant differences in these hormone concentrations.
CONCLUSIONS
Smoke exposure was associated with lower than normal median steroid hormone concentrations. These processes may be instrumental in explaining some adverse effects of tobacco smoke on female health and fertility.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Hormones; Humans; Middle Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Smoking; Steroids; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Young Adult
PubMed: 21396948
DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2011.02.042