Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0015672 (fatigue)
 51,768 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The gonadal steroids--estrogens and androgens--appear to have a mood-elevating, psychotonic effect. The improved sense of well-being and increased vigor probably is engendered by restoration of somatic efficiency and psychic equilibrium. 1. The male climacteric, as observed in a limited number of men, is associated with a low level of serum testosterone. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone are not elevated because estrogen concentration continues unaltered well into old age. Androgen replacement therapy often lessens fatigue, depression and headaches, and headaches, and improves libidinous drives. 2. In the aging female, many climatric symptoms other than those due to vasomotor instability were heretofore considered merely coincidental. Recent studies suggest that the metabolism of cerebral hormones is markedly influenced by endogenous and exogenous gonadal steroids. Thus, postmenopausal depression, headaches, and nervousness may be hormone-dependent symptoms. 3. The incidence of endometrial cancer is no greater and is probably less in estrogen-treated women than in women not treated with estrogen, if regular cyclic courses of an oral progestogen are added to the regimen.
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PMID:Update on the male and female climateric. 48 57

This study describes sexual activity, nocturnal penile erections, and mood states as a function of serum levels of androgens in previously untreated hypogonadal men before and during hormone replacement, selected infertile men (elevated serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels), and normal men. Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity were measured with a portable monitor, and sexual activity and mood were assessed by prospective, self-reported written forms. Nocturnal erections were absent or of very low amplitude and duration in the untreated hypogonadal men compared to the infertile and normal men. Nocturnal erections increased steadily during hormone replacement and were in the normal range within 6 to 12 months of treatment. In contrast, serum testosterone concentration rapidly reached the upper range of normal. During treatment, the hypogonadal men reported increases in several aspects of sexual activity, including sexual interest and the number of spontaneous erections. On mood inventories, the untreated hypogonadal men scored significantly higher in ratings of depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion than did infertile and normal men. During hormonal replacement therapy these scores decreased, although the hypogonadal men continued to score higher in "depression" than did infertile and normal men. In most instances, the men with infertility and the normal men were statistically indistinguishable in nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity parameters, self-reported sexual activity, and mood state. These data support the hypothesis that androgen treatment increases nocturnal and spontaneous erections, and sexual interest, and has some capacity to improve mood.
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PMID:A long-term, prospective study of the physiologic and behavioral effects of hormone replacement in untreated hypogonadal men. 139 30

During the past decade, the development of various gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists, which induce reversible hypo-oestrogenism has opened a new area in the medical management of endometriosis. In an open, multicentre phase III study, the efficacy, tolerance and safety of the Gn-RH agonist leuprorelin acetate were tested. The preliminary results of 104 women treated in seven German centres are presented. Pelvic endometriosis was diagnosed by laparoscopy and classified according to the American Fertility Society scoring system: 33% of patients had minimal, 22% mild, 28% moderate and 8% severe endometriosis and in 9% no pathological results were obtained. The patients' mean age was 30 +/- 6 years and 66 had infertility problems. Treatment was started within the first 3 days of the menstrual cycle and consisted of a subcutaneous injection of leuprorelin acetate 3.75 mg, repeated once monthly over 24 weeks. A follow-up period of 12 months after the last injection has been completed in 70 patients, including a second laparoscopy. At all visits, symptoms were evaluated, physical examinations performed, and blood samples collected for haematological screening, serum chemistry determinations and measurement of the gonadotrophins oestradiol and progesterone and leuprorelin acetate. The median score at laparoscopy fell from 12 before operation to 8 after operation and 2 after treatment with leuprorelin acetate. Of the total number of patients, 89% had improvements in their endometriosis, 8% a deterioration and 3% no change. Patients reported improvement in the following: dysmenorrhoea 93%, dyspareunia 62% and pelvic pain 70%. However, all women complained of at least one of the following symptoms: hot flushes 86%, sleep disturbance 62%, sweating 61%, headache 41%, nausea 32% and depression 20%. Fifty-five percent of patients reported additional side effects such as vaginal dryness, fatigue and lower abdominal pain. After the third injection, amenorrhoea persisted in 94% of the women. Four weeks after the first leuprorelin acetate injection median concentrations of oestradiol fell from 45 pg/ml to 11 pg/ml, follicle-stimulating hormone from 7 U/L to 3 U/L and luteinising hormone from 5 U/L to 1 U/L and remained almost unchanged over the observation period. During the 6 months' treatment, laboratory parameters showed no significant deviations from normal; only total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase increased. Treatment results were judged as good and satisfactory in 82% and 11% of cases, respectively. On the basis of this study, it can be concluded that leuprorelin acetate treatment is safe, well tolerated and effective in the medical management of endometriosis and endometriosis-related complaints.
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PMID:Treatment of endometriosis with leuprorelin acetate depot: a German multicentre study. 153 21

We undertook a study to investigate the therapeutic potential of orally administered melatonin in patients with advanced melanoma. Forty-two patients received melatonin in doses ranging from 5 mg/m2/day to 700 mg/m2/day in four divided doses. Two were excluded from analysis. After a median follow-up of 5 weeks, six patients had partial responses, six additional patients had stable disease. Sites of response included the central nervous system, subcutaneous tissue and lung. The median response duration was 33 weeks for the partial responders. There was a suggestion of a dose-response relationship. The toxicity encountered was minimal and consisted primarily of fatigue in 17 of 40 patients. Melatonin also appeared to reduce basal levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). No significant changes were encountered in serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). We conclude that further study of melatonin as a potentially useful agent in metastatic melanoma is warranted.
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PMID:Melatonin therapy of advanced human malignant melanoma. 182 32

A randomized double-blind cross-over study into the effect of northisterone on climacteric symptoms was performed on 23 postmenopausal women. Active therapy resulted in a significant reduction in the number and severity of hot flushes and night sweats. There was also a slight improvement in memory, insomnia and lack of energy but the other climacteric symptoms were not consistently altered. Side effects were minimal. There was a significant reduction in serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglycerides, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. There was a variable effect on serum creatinine and urea but there was no significant alteration in the other biochemical profiles, liver-function tests, weight or blood pressure.
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PMID:A randomized double-blind cross-over trial into the effect of norethisterone on climacteric symptoms and biochemical profiles. 680 99

The effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), given at a dosage of 6 MU thrice weekly for 12 months, on gonadal function were investigated in 18 males affected by chronic hepatitis C. Periodically, all patients were clinically monitored and questioned about sexual function. Gonadotropin and serum androgen concentrations (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and sex hormone binding globulin) were tested every 3 months. Ten of 18 patients (55%) responded to IFN-alpha therapy. Serum total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin values decreased slightly at the third month of treatment, then returned to baseline values. Serum free testosterone and other sex hormones remained essentially unchanged during IFN-alpha therapy. Four patients (22.2%) complained of sexual dysfunction (impaired libido, erectile failure, and impaired ejaculation), which was unrelated to any significant hormonal change and resolved after IFN therapy was stopped. Serum sex hormones values did not differ between responders and nonresponders to IFN-alpha. This study indicates that 12 months treatment with 6 MU of IFN-alpha thrice weekly does not significantly affect gonadal function in men with chronic hepatitis C. The sexual dysfunction observed could be ascribed to such other side effects of IFN as asthenia, fatigue, or anxiety, or it could have a psychologic basis.
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PMID:Long-term interferon-alpha therapy does not affect sex hormones in males with chronic hepatitis C. 933 29

The rise in male life expectancy is paralleled by increased age-related clinical signs and symptoms such as muscle weakness, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, changes in body composition, fatigue, decreased sexual interest and activity, and increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction, all of which limit the quality of life. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of clinically well-defined hormone deficiencies, e.g. Kallman syndrome, Prader--Labhart--Willi syndrome or deficiencies due to treatment of pituitary tumors. Three male endocrine axes are characterized by age-related changes in concentrations of circulating hormones: (i) the hypothalamic--pituitary--testicular axis with lower serum levels of testosterone (T) and higher serum levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone, (ii) the hypothalamic--pituitary--adrenal axis with its gradual decline in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS), (iii) the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis showing decreased hormone production concomitant with symptoms similar to those of GH-deficient adults. The beneficial effects of hormone replacement in nonelderly hormone-deficient individuals and in postmenopausal women raised hope that hormone substitution might prevent or even reverse some of the symptoms of male aging. However, this approach is hampered by the lack of individual age-related hormone reference values and reliable clinical read-out parameters. The findings so far do not support the need for widespread hormone replacement in elderly men. Larger long-term prospective studies are needed to identify clinically useful read-out parameters, and then demonstrate that hormone replacement can translate into functional parameters, thereby providing the individual benefit of treatment for aging men.
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PMID:Hormonal changes in aging men: a therapeutic indication? 1140 52

Together with a growing number of cellular telephone users increases the interest in the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by them on live organisms. The surveys on subjective complaints of cellular telephone users carried out in Sweden, Norway, UK, USA, New Zealand and Australia showed that head ache is the major complain, and it is more pronounced with analogue than digital telephones. Apart from head ache, fatigue and general ill-being, muscular pains and nausea are reported. Human experimental studies reveal that EMF emitted by cellular telephones may be responsible for periodical increase in arterial blood pressure, changes in electric activity of the brain. However, no changes in secretion of cerebral pituitary hormones: adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), growth hormone, prolactin (PRL), lactogenic hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and melatonine. The animal experimental studies indicated that exposure to EMF of the microwave frequency activates the endogenous opioid system in the brain, while the studies of the brain neurotransmitter activity have not produced univocal results, some of them showed decline, others increase in acetylcholinesterase activity. In vitro studies reveal that EMF even below maximum permissible levels may induce changes in the blood-brain permeability barrier and disorders in active transport of Na+, K+ ions and release of Ca++ ions by cellular membranes. The studies carried out thus far have not produced clear-cut results, but they indicate that EMF of the microwave frequency, including the frequency emitted by cellular telephones may be responsible for various measurable biological effects. It is essential to find out whether these effects may affect human health.
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PMID:[A study on the biological effects of exposure mobile-phone frequency EMF]. 1176 57

In the 1974-86 period, gossypol acetate was taken as an antifertility measure by 16 men. The initial dose was 20 mg/day, with a maintenance dose of 40 mg/week. Antifertility efficacy was obtained in all 16 cases. Azoospermia persisted in 1 case where the gossypol had been taken for 8 years and discontinued for the past 2 1/2 years. Symptoms experienced in the first 2 weeks of gossypol acetate administration included dizziness, anorexia, nausea, fatigue, and stomach discomfort. Results of examinations of blood and urine; functions of the heart, liver, lung, and liver; electrolytes; external genitalia; and sexual performance were all in the normal range. Measurements of semen, plasma biochemistry, and endocrine changes also were within normal limits. However, in the 9 cases in which the average value of plasma testosterone was near the lower limit of normal, the average value of follicle-stimulating hormone was higher than normal and the testosterone/luteinizing hormone ratio was unusually low. Testis biopsy indicated that long-term gossypol treatment affected both germ cells and Sertoli cells. Leydig cells also demonstrated some damage. Gossypol acetate is, in general, considered an ideal male contraceptive because of its long-term effectiveness, reversibility, and lack of severe toxic side effects.
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PMID:Antifertility treating with long term gossypol. 1226 55

Since the last in a series of childbirth education classes discusses contraception, educators must know about various family planning methods. Oral contraceptives (OCs) comprise combined OCs, phasic OCs, and minipills. Combined OCs inhibit secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn keeps the follicle-stimulating hormone from inducing the ovarian follicle to grow and keeps luteinizing hormones from activating ovulation. They also thicken cervical mucus. Minipills also thicken cervical mucus and render the endometrium unreceptive to fertilized egg implantation. They do not always inhibit ovulation, however. OCs can induce side effects, such as nausea, hypertension, increased risk of atherosclerosis, and fatigue. The IUD prevents pregnancy either by inhibiting implantation of a fertilized egg or by an inflammatory reaction of the endometrium resulting in a release of macrophages which may destroy sperm. The no-longer-produced Dalkon Shield IUD increased the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and damaged the reputation of other IUDs. Rare IUD complications are uterine perforation, salpingitis, tubal scarring, pelvic inflammatory disease, and infertility. Diaphragms, cervical film, and condoms serve as barriers between the egg and sperm. The main problem with barrier methods is the increased risk of developing toxic shock syndrome. Spermicide increase the effectiveness of diaphragms, cervical caps, and condoms. Vasectomy keeps sperm from arriving at storage sites. Shortterm side effects are swelling, discomfort, and occasional rejoining of the cut ends of the vas. Research hints at a link between vasectomy and prostate cancer. Some complications of tubal ligation are urinary tract infections, accidental electrical burns, and pelvic infections. Natural family planning methods include withdrawal, the rhythm method, and the sypto-thermal method. Controversial injectable contraceptives are Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) and Noristerate (norethisterone enanthate).
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PMID:Birth control update for childbirth educators. 1234 29


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