Following a single intramuscular injection of HCG 2,000 U, blood was drawn at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours in 7 cases of Klinefelter's syndrome and 6 normal adult males to study the pituitary-gonadal function. It was found that the average basal values of plasma T and DHT just before injection were 174.93 +73.46 and 14.99 +3.03 ng/dl respectively in patients, much lower than that in normal controls (P

Progestin has been used as a hormone therapy for some prostatic diseases,suchas benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer, and as a hormone regimen formale contraception with or without androgen.This article reviewed the physiologicaland pharmacological effects of progestin on male reproduction.Progestin inhibits thehypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis by the negative feedback.All the malereproductive organs highly expressed progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA, whichsuggested that progestin played some important roles in these organs.Humanspermatogenic cells and spermatozoa contained definite amount of progesterone (P)and 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone,which suggested an association between these steroidsand spermatogenesis and fertilization.A hormonal regimen consisting of progestinplus testesterone has been confirmed as an effective,safe,and reversible malecontraception.Though pharmacological dosages of progestin inhibited the expressionof androgen-dependant sexual behaviors,physiological levels progesterone couldstimulate sexual and copulatory behaviors.Some pregnane derivations have a highlyinhibitary effect on the enzyme 5 alphareductase type 2,which showed the benefit onthe treatment of prostatic diseases. Natl J Androl, 2001,7(2):117～120

The circulating renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is well known for its role in the maintenance of blood pressure and electrolyte and fluid homeostasis. However, other local angiotensin-generating systems than the circulating RAS have been found in numerous tissues. The male reproductive system including the testis, epididymis, and prostate has several sites of intrinsic RAS activity. The local RAS in these tissues can be responsive to androgens, fat acid, drugs, and hypoxia. There has been evidence for the involvement of the RAS not only in male reproduction, but also in the development of prostate disease. Besides, the assessment of the local RAS activity may be helpful to the early diagnosis of tumor in the male reproductive system.
Animals ; Early Diagnosis ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; diagnosis ; Genitalia, Male ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; physiology

OBJECTIVEWe designed a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, parallel, with metformin controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low dose rosiglitazone combined with sulphonylurea therapy in type 2 diabetic patients who were inadequately controlled with sulphonylurea alone.

METHODSPatients were treated with 4 mg rosiglitazone once daily plus sulphonylurea (test group) or 0.5 g metformin twice daily plus sulphonylurea (control group) for 12 weeks. The mean levels of HbA(1c), fasting and postprandial plasma glucose were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe mean levels of HbA(1c) decreased by 1.09% and 0.95% in the test group (n = 102) and control group (n = 96) respectively. Fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels in the test group decreased by 25.0% and 35.6%, and in the control group, decreased by 17.7% and 23.8% as compared with the baseline (both P < 0.01). No liver damage was found.

CONCLUSIONCombination treatment of rosiglitazone and sulphonylurea can effectively improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled with sulphonylurea alone.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Metformin ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Sulfonylurea Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Thiazoles ; administration & dosage ; Thiazolidinediones