ABSTRACT
Purpose: Although concern about the health disorders in aging men have been growing, the association has not been elucidated in relation to the late onset male hypogonadism(LOH) and metabolic syndrome(MS). In this background, we evaluated the clinical impact of MS on LOH symptoms and serum total testosterone level. Materials and Methods: 100 patients with LOH symptoms who visited to the urology clinic between May, 2004 and October, 2006 were analyzed. Of all object, 48 patients were associated with MS(Group I) and 52 patients were not(Group II), based on the NCEP-ATP III(2001) guidelines. We compared the LOH status with Saint Louis University Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males(ADAM) questionnaire, serum total testosterone level, as well as prevalence of MS components between the two groups. Results: The overall prevalence of MS was 48% among LOH patients. The average age of group I and II were 57.7+/-10.5 and 58.6+/-11.2 years, respectively. Positivity for ADAM questionnaire was 83.3% in group I and 76.9% in group II, respectively(p<0.05). Serum total testosterone level decreased according to number of components of MS(p<0.05). The obesity group had significantly decreased serum total testosterone level(3.41+/-1.34 ng/ml) comparing to control group(4.41+/-2.23 ng/ml)(p<0.05). Conclusions: MS and its risk factors were significantly associated with LOH symptoms and positively correlated with the severity of disease. The evaluation of MS are required for the diagnosis and treatment of the patients with LOH.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Aging , Erectile Dysfunction , Hypogonadism , Obesity , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Risk Factors , Saints , Testosterone , UrologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: HIF-1alpha (Hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) have been reported to be involved in tumor growth and metastasis, but only a little data on the roles of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in renal cell carcinomas are available, and few studies have yet evaluated their prognostic values. The aim of the present study was to assess the HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression and evaluate the relationships between HIF-1alpha/VEGF and the histopathological characteristics in renal cell carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HIF-1alpha and VEGF immunohistochemical stainings were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissues from 22 renal cell carcinoma tissues and 13 normal kidney tissues, used as a control group. The interpretation of the immunohistochemical stainings were semi-quantitatively performed by one pathologist. RESULTS: The expressions of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were significantly higher in the patient than the control group. The HIF-1alpha and VEGF expressions were correlated to each other, and inclined to be positively correlated with the pathological stage and grade of the renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: The HIF-1alpha and VEGF expressions might be independent predictors of the outcome, as well as the stage and grade of renal cell carcinomas. This study suggests that HIF-1alpha and VEGF may be potential prognostic factors in renal cell carcinomas.
Subject(s)
Humans , Angiogenesis Inducing Agents , Hypoxia , Carcinoma, Renal Cell , Kidney , Neoplasm Metastasis , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor AABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Nocturnal enuresis is one of the most common disorders of childhood, occurring in 15% of 5 year-old children. Although usually self-limiting, justification for early treatment has been founded in psyc hological impact on the child. Many investigators have reported upon the effectiveness of prospectively studied to compare the therapeutic effect between imipramine (Tofranil) and desmopressin (Minirin/1-Desamino-8-D-Arginine Vasopressin: DDAVP) on the monosymptomatic enuretic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 83 enuretic patients (primary enuresis 64 cases, secondary enuresis 19 cases) were randomized th one of two groups: imipramine group(44 cases) or desmopressin group (39 cases). They were free of other abnormalities in the screening tests. In addition to drug therapy, all of cases were performed motivational counselling, reduction of fluid in take prior to bedtime and voiding diary. The efficacy of drug was measured in reduction of the number of wet nights per week. During the treatment period, 83 cases were classified as excellent (0 to 1 wet night per week), good (over 59% reduction of wet night)and failed responder(less than 50% reduction of wet night). RESULTS: Average age of imipramine group and desmopressin group was 9.3 years (range 5-17) and 9.6 years (range 5-17), respectively. The number of wet nights per week decreased respectively from a mean of 6.1 to 3.4 in imipramine group are from a mean of 6.4 to 2.3 in desmopressin group. Average therapeutic duration and overall response rate in the imipeamine group and desmopressin group was 9.1 weeks, 6.7 weeks (p<0.05) and 90.9%, 95.9%, respectively (p<0.05). The overall relapse rate of imipramine group and desmopressin group was 40.0% and 40.8% during the follow-up period of 3 months after cessation of medication in excellent responders. There was no difference in the therapeutic effects between primary and secondary enuresis on each drug therapy. There was also on no difference in the therapeutic response according to constipation. No serious side effects were observed in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the overall effects of imipramine and desmopressin are excellent. But desmopressin has more effective therapeutic response and more shorter therapeutic duration as compared with imipramine.