Most studies of sex hormones and insulin resistance (IR) have focused on androgens; few have examined the association of endogenous estrogens and IR. We determined the cross-sectional association of endogenous levels of total and bioavailable testosterone and estradiol and SHBG with IR among 845 healthy, postmenopausal women aged 45-65 yr. Women were within 10 yr of menopause and not using horm...

OBJECTIVE Some evidence suggests an inverse association between type 2 diabetes and androgens in men and a positive association between type 2 diabetes and androgens in women. The purpose of this community-based study was to evaluate sex differences in the association between endogenous total and bioavailable estrogen and testosterone levels and glucose tolerance status. RESEARCH DESIGN AND M...

BACKGROUND Anemia is a frequent feature of male hypogonadism and anti-androgenic treatment. We hypothesized that the presence of low testosterone levels in older persons is a risk factor for anemia. METHODS Testosterone and hemoglobin levels were measured in a representative sample of 905 persons 65 years or older without cancer, renal insufficiency, or anti-androgenic treatments. Hemoglobin ...

AIMS High androgen levels are presumed by many to explain the male predisposition to coronary artery disease. However, natural androgens inhibit male atherosclerosis(1). Our aim was to determine whether levels of androgens differ between men with and without coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS Ninety male subjects (60 with positive, and 30 with negative coronary angiograms) were recr...

The effect of smoking on androgen levels is important given the recent interest in the link between low levels of androgens and the development of cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies examining the effects of cigarette smoking on the levels of total and free testosterone have reported conflicting findings, but there has been no accurate assessment of the effects of cigarette smoking on the ...

Introduction: Correlation between circulating sex steroid levels and breast cancer has been controversial, with measurement of free, or bioavailable hormone rarely available. Salivary hormone levels represent the bioavailable fraction. We aimed to assess correlation between salivary sex steroid levels and breast cancer prevalence. Methods: Salivary hormone levels of testosterone (T), Estradiol ...

Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and albumin are the important determinants of circulatory 25(OH)D in adults. Physiological function of vitamin D is particularly regulated by DBPs. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) is considered as the biological activity reader of circulating 25(OH)D. We therefore examined the relationships between serum total, free, and bioavailable 25(OH)D versus PTH in apparen...

INTRODUCTION Data from animal, clinical and prevention studies support the role of androgens in prostate cancer growth, proliferation and progression. Results of serum based epidemiologic studies in humans, however, have been inconclusive. The present study aims to define whether serum testosterone can be used as a predictor of a posi¬tive second biopsy in males considered for re-biopsy. MATE...

Flooding/waterlogging is a major factor responsible for hypoxic stress in agriculture. The aim of this study was to develop an effective oxygen buffer with magnesium peroxide (MgO2) to generate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and release bioavailable oxygen. MgO2 provided a relatively stable level (approx. 300 mM) of bioavailable oxygen. The oxygen-buffer system is adjustable and controllable by addin...

BACKGROUND We examined if the reduced risk of breast cancer events seen among women without baseline hot flash symptoms in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) dietary intervention trial was related to changes in sex hormone concentrations. METHODS Baseline and year one concentrations of total and bioavailable estradiol, and testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were co...