Influence of Altered Hormonal Status on Platelet 5-HT and MAO-B Activity in Cigarette Smokers

The present study was designed to understand the cigarette smoking-induced alterations in hormones and the resulting changes in platelet serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) activity in chronic smokers. Human male volunteers aged 35 ± 8 years, were divided into two groups, namely controls and smokers (12 ± 2 cigarettes per day for 7–10 years). Results showed that cigarette smoking significantly (p < 0.05) elevated plasma triiodothyronine (T₃), cortisol and testosterone levels with significant (p < 0.05) reduction in plasma tryptophan and thyroxin (T₄). Moreover, smokers showed reduced platelet 5-HT levels and MAO-B activity. In smokers, plasma cortisol was negatively correlated with tryptophan (r = −0.386), platelet MAO-B (r = −0.264), and 5-HT (r = −0.671), and positively correlated with testosterone (r = 0.428). However, testosterone was negatively correlated with platelet MAO-B (r = −0.315), and 5-HT (r = −.419) in smokers. Further, smokers plasma T₃ levels were negatively correlated with platelet MAO-B (r = −0.398), and 5-HT (r = −0.541), whereas T₄ levels were positively correlated with platelet MAO-B (r = 0.369), and 5-HT (r = 0.454). In conclusion, our study showed that altered testosterone and cortisol levels may aggravate behavior, mood disturbances and symptoms of depression by decreasing platelet 5-HT and MAO-B activity in smokers.     

Endocrinology in Communication Research

Endocrinology--the study of hormones and hormonal activity--offers promising new avenues for adjudicating social behavior. This paper introduces its methods and discusses several considerations necessary for researchers who wish to incorporate such methods into their own communication research.     

Association of Obesity with Hormonal Imbalance in Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Study in North Indian Women

Hormones play an important role in the development and regulation of reproductive function and the menstrual cycle of women. Extremes of body weight tend to affect the homeostasis of the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 113 women (57 with primary infertility and 56 with secondary infertility) in the age group 20–35 years, presenting for hormonal evaluation of infertility in a tertiary care hospital. After preliminary clinical evaluation, anthropometric indices (height, weight, BMI, waist circumference and waist hip ratio) were measured in all subjects. Fasting blood sample drawn on second/third day of menstrual cycle was analysed for serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Serum FSH levels showed a significant positive correlation with indicators of central obesity (waist circumference and waist hip ratio in both the study groups). In primary infertility, significant positive correlation was also observed between serum FSH levels and other markers of obesity like body weight, hip circumference and BMI. In secondary infertility, serum prolactin and serum TSH levels demonstrated a significant positive correlation with body weight and BMI. Obesity is associated with hormonal derangements which are responsible for infertility. In overweight women with infertility, weight loss should be considered as a first line treatment.     

Sex hormone binding globulin in breast cancer

The present study was undertaken to determine the significance of sex hormone binding globulin, the major and specific binding protein for testosterone and estradiol, in breast cancer. Among breast cancer patients, lower serum levels of Sex hormone binding globulin and higher levels of testosterone were observed. Sex hormone binding globulin showed an inverse relationship with testosterone and total cholesterol, and a direct relation with HDL-cholesterol. By the western blot analyses, Sex hormone binding globulin was detected in all biological samples that we examined. In the breast tumor tissue sections, immuno-staining for Sex hormone binding globulin was confined in cell cytoplasm and 29% cases were positive, which showed no association with the investigated prognostic markers of breast cancer such as ER and HER-2/neu over-expression. In this study, decreased circulating levels of Sex hormone binding globulin in breast cancer patients possibly indicate higher bioavailable estrogens.     

超高效液相色谱法测定广西蜜梨花芽中4种植物激素

采用超高效液相色谱,C18色谱柱,PDA紫外检测器,以甲醇-0．1％冰乙酸水溶液为流动相,流速0．3mL／min,检测波长为260nm的条件下。同时测定吲哚乙酸、脱落酸赤霉素玉米素4种激素,各峰的分离效果理想,10min内完成了测定。玉米素平均回收率为98．2％,RSD为3．6％,赤霉素平均回收率为98．2％,RSD为2．6％,吲哚乙酸平均回收率为98．8％,RSD为2．8％,脱落酸平均回收率为101．1％,RSD为3．3％。     

Why women see differently from the way men see? A review of sex differences in cognition and sports

The differences of learning and memory between males and females have been well documented and confirmed by both human and animal studies. The sex differences in cognition started from early stage of neuronal development and last through entire lifespan. The major biological basis of the gender-dependent cognitive activity includes two major components: sex hormone and sex-related characteristics, such as sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) protein. However, the knowledge of how much biology of sex contributes to normal cognitive function and elite athletes in various sports are still pretty limited. In this review, we will be focusing on sex differences in spatial learning and memory – especially the role of male- and female-type cognitive behaviors in sports.     

State and Trait Affectionate Communication Buffer Adults' Stress Reactions

The present study tested the prediction that affectionate communication is positively associated with the release of oxytocin in response to stressors. One hundred participants completed questionnaire measures about their personal relationships prior to participation in a laboratory session that included a series of standard laboratory stressors. Both state and trait affectionate communication predicted increases in oxytocin during exposure to stressors, an effect that was not moderated by sex. The results demonstrate the stress-buffering effect of affectionate interaction.     

女性吸毒者Th1／Th2细胞因子和性激素水平分析

目的:通过测定女性吸食海洛因患者外周血中T细胞亚群Th1/Th2细胞因子和血清中性激素的变化,从分子水平探讨吸食海洛因对女性免疫功能和性激素的影响。方法:取吸毒组和正常对照组清晨空腹静脉血3mL,应用双抗体夹心ABC-ELISA法测定Th1/Th2细胞因子,采用放免法检测血清雌激素(E2)、孕激素(P)。结果:吸毒组30例患者Th1细胞因子(IL-2:1.45±0.48μg/L,TNF-β:0.37±0.14μg/L,INF-γ:2.99±0.55μg/L)和Th2细胞因子(IL-4:23.68±11.22μg/L,IL-10:12.11±5.13μg/L)低于32例健康组Th1细胞因子(IL-2:4.09±0.79μg/L,TNF-β:0.91±0.35μg/L,INF-γ:5.69±0.91μg/L)、Th2细胞因子(IL-4:54.24±17.21μg/L,IL-10:22.34±7.26μg/L)水平(P<0.01);吸毒组患者血清雌激素与孕激素水平显著低于健康组(吸毒组E2:38.71±18.18ng/L,P:0.79±0.53μg/L;健康组分别为79.98±34.42ng/L和2.10±0.86μg/L)(P<0.01)。结论:海洛因的摄入可导致青年女性性腺激素水平下降和免疫水平全面下降。