Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome is a common geriatric disease that underlies chronic conditions such as diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, and osteoporosis. As age progresses, the kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome showcases increasingly pronounced manifestations, emerging as a key factor in the comorbidities experienced by elderly patients and affecting their quality of life and overall health status. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been extensively utilized in the treatment of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, with Epimedii Folium, Cinnamomi Cortex, and Lycii Fructus widely used in clinical settings. Despite the complexity of the molecular mechanisms involved in treating kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, the potential therapeutic value of TCM remains compelling. Delving into the mechanisms of TCM treatment of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome by regulating the neuro-endocrine-immune system can provide a scientific basis for targeted treatments of this syndrome and lay a foundation for the modernization of TCM. The pathophysiology of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome involves multiple systems, including the interaction of the neuro-endocrine-immune system, the decline in renal function, the intensification of oxidative stress responses, and energy metabolism disorders. Understanding these mechanisms and their interrelationships can help untangle the etiology of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, aiding clinicians in making more precise diagnoses and treatments. Furthermore, the research on the specific applications of TCM in research on these pathological mechanisms can enhance the international recognition and status of TCM, enabling it to exert a greater global influence.
Humans ; Yang Deficiency/physiopathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Kidney Diseases/physiopathology* ; Neurosecretory Systems/physiopathology* ; Animals ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Endocrine System/physiopathology* ; Immune System/physiopathology*

Transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) is a severe genetic chronic hemolytic disease, and growth retardation is a common clinical feature in patients with TDT. Due to the need for regular blood transfusions, these patients often experience iron overload, which leads to various endocrine dysfunctions, including abnormalities in the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypogonadism, adrenal insufficiency, and decreased bone density. This paper reviews the clinical monitoring and intervention measures for growth disorders and related endocrine functions in patients with TDT, providing references for clinicians.
Humans ; Thalassemia/physiopathology* ; Child ; Growth Disorders/diagnosis* ; Blood Transfusion ; Endocrine System Diseases/therapy*

BACKGROUND: The industrial revolution has resulted in increased synthesis and the introduction of a variety of compounds into the environment and their potentially hazardous effects have been observed in the biota. The present study was aimed to evaluate the potential endocrine-disrupting effects of chronic exposure to the low concentrations of bisphenol S (BPS) in male rats. METHODS: Weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats (22 days old) were either exposed to water containing 0.1% ethanol for control or different concentrations of BPS (0.5, 5, and 50 μg/L) in drinking water for 48 weeks in the chronic exposure study. After completion of the experimental period, animals were dissected and different parameters (hormone concentrations, histology of testis and epididymis, oxidative stress and level of antioxidant enzymes in the testis, daily sperm production (DSP), and sperm parameters) were determined. RESULTS: Results of the present study showed a significant alteration in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and relative reproductive organ weights. Oxidative stress in the testis was significantly elevated while sperm motility, daily sperm production, and the number of sperm in epididymis were reduced. Plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were reduced and estradiol levels were high in the 50 μg/L-exposed group. Histological observations involved a significant reduction in the epithelial height of the testis along with disrupted spermatogenesis, an empty lumen of the seminiferous tubules, and the caput region of the epididymis. CONCLUSION These results suggest that exposure to 5 and 50 μg/L of BPS for the chronic duration started from an early age can induce structural changes in testicular tissue architecture and endocrine alterations in the male reproductive system which may lead to infertility in males.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Endocrine Disruptors/toxicity* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity* ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiopathology* ; Infertility, Male/physiopathology* ; Male ; Phenols/toxicity* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfones/toxicity* ; Testis/physiopathology* ; Toxicity Tests, Chronic

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between yin-deficiency constitution (YDC) and biochemical indexes by way of observing the endocrinal and immune functions in subjects with YDC.

METHODSOn the basis of epidemiological investigation, 60 subjects with YDC and 50 with gentle constitution (GC) were selected according to the pertinent criteria. From each subject, 8 mL of fasting venous blood was drawn at 8:00-9:00 in the morning, with the serum separated by centrifugation 3 000 r/min for 5 min and preserved at -70 degrees Celsius in a freezer. Serum levels of corticosterone, cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), throtropic stimulation hormone, interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) were detected by double-antibody sandwich ELISA; cAMP/cGMP ratio was calculated, and the difference between the two constitutions in terms of these indexes was analyzed.

RESULTSSerum FT3 was 4.16 + or - 1.38 pmol/L in subjects with YDC, which was higher than that in subjects with GC (3.71 + or - 0.55 pmol/L), but levels of cortisol (124.58 + or - 45.36 ng/mL), ACTH (58.92 + or - 14.55 pg/mL), cGMP (66.00 + or - 18.02 pmol/mL) and FT4 (12.33 + or - 3.12 pmol/L) in YDC were lower than those in GC (13.43 + or - 2.31 pmol/L), showing significant difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONYDC is related to some extent with the disturbances in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis, cyclic nucleoside system and immune function.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; blood ; Endocrine System ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; physiopathology ; Immune System ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Nucleosides ; blood ; Observation ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; physiopathology ; Thyroid Gland ; physiopathology ; Yin Deficiency ; blood ; diagnosis ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Long-term survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) during childhood and adolescence are at risk of developing endocrine complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term endocrine complications and their associated risk factors among such patients. We reviewed the data from 111 patients (59 males and 52 females) who underwent HSCT at the mean age of 8.3+/-4.1 yr. Thirty patients (27.0%) had growth impairment, and seven (21.2%) out of 33 patients who attained final height reached final height below 2 standard deviation (SD). The final height SD score of the patients conditioned with total body irradiation (TBI) was significantly lower than that of the patients conditioned without TBI (-1.18+/-1.14 vs. -0.19+/-0.78, P=0.011). Thirteen patients (11.7%) developed hypothyroidism (11 subclinical, 2 central) 3.8+/-1.8 (range 1.6-6.2) yr after HSCT. Nineteen (65.5%) out of 29 females had evidence of gonadal dysfunction, and 18 (64.3%) out of 28 males had evidence of gonadal dysfunction. The risk for gonadal dysfunction was significantly higher in females conditioned with busulfan/cyclophosphamide (P=0.003). These results suggest that the majority of patients treated with HSCT during childhood and adolescence have one or more endocrine complications. Therefore, multiple endocrine functions should be monitored periodically after HSCT until they reach adult age.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Height ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Endocrine System Diseases/*etiology/physiopathology ; Female ; Gonadal Disorders/etiology ; Growth Disorders/etiology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/*adverse effects ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Thyroid Diseases/etiology ; Transplantation Conditioning/adverse effects ; Whole-Body Irradiation/adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of octacostyl alcohol preparation on the motor function, blood free radical metabolism and cardiac endocrine function of rats.

METHODSA rat model of exercise fatigue was used for this study. The rats were made to perform continuous exhaustive exercise, and the total exercise time of the rats till exhaustion was recorded followed by examination of the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), plasma endothelin (ET), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).

RESULTSCompared with rats without interventions for exercise fatigue, the rats receiving octacostyl alcohol preparation had significant prolonged exercise time till exhaustion (P<0.05), with also significantly enhanced serum SOD activity (P<0.05), significantly decreased MDA level and plasma ET (P<0.05) and increased CGRP and ANP levels (P<0.05). Octacostyl alcohol preparation produced more favorable effect on all the indices measured than pyruvic acid-creatine (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe octacostyl alcohol preparation can promote the motor function, increases blood antioxidase activity, suppressed lipid peroxidation in rats engaged in exhaustive exercise. The preparation also produces favorable effect on cardiac endocrine function for heart protection during exercise.

Animals ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; blood ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endocrine System ; drug effects ; physiology ; Endothelins ; blood ; Fatigue ; blood ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Fatty Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Free Radicals ; blood ; metabolism ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

Cardiovascular bioactive peptides constitute life activity of human beings. They play important roles in regulating the development of cardiovascular system, and controlling disease progression. Recently, interests have arised on the adjusting effects of cardiovascular bioactive peptides on endocrine metabolism, its changes during disease course, influence on disease pathogenesis, as well as its effects on the diagnosis, treatment, and early interventions. New advances have been increasingly achieved in basic and clinical researches. It has become one of the most active areas in life sciences.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; physiopathology ; Endocrine System Diseases ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; physiology ; Peptide Hormones ; physiology