Sex hormone profile in male diabetics, its relationship with sexual dysfunction

To investigate endocrinological changes associated with diabetes mellitus, serum total and free testosterone [T], estradiol [E [2]], lutenizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and prolactin [Prl] were determined in 39 male diabetic subjects [7 with type I and 32 with type II diabetes]. In addition to 14 healthy males of comparable age. Serum total and free T were significantly reduced but serum E [2], LH and Prl were significantly increased while FSH exhibited non-significant increase in diabetic subjects compared with healthy males. Neither did the type of diabetes nor its duration affect the hormonal levels. Similarly, no significant differences could be observed in the hormonal profiles between complicated and non-complicated diabetics. However, serum total and free T were significantly decreased in impotent compared to non-impotent diabetics. Serum total T levels exhibited a significant inverse correlation with blood glucose levels, but were not correlated with the age of the patients or with the duration of disease. The results of the present work demonstrated the presence of changes in sex hormone levels in male diabetics that could contribute to sexual dysfunction. Hyperglycaemia seems to be one of the causative factors for such changes and the use. of oral antidiabetic agents may be an added factor

Comparison of sublingual nifedipine, captopril and isosorbide dinitrate in urgent treatment of severe hypertension

Eighty one patients [61 females and 20 males] with severe hypertension [180/120] were randomly divided into 3 groups, 27 patients each. Every group received either nifedipine 10 mg, captopril 25 mg or isosorbide dinitrate 10 mg sublingually. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at 5,15,30,45, 60,90, 120 and. 240 minutes post dose and side effects were recorded. A significant [P 0.001] decrease of blood pressure [systolic, diastolic and mean] occurred 5 minutes after giving each of the three drugs and persisted for the whole 240 minutes. Isosorbide dinitrate had the most rapid onset of action. Nifedipine had the most powerful antihypertensive effect while captopril caused gradual, progressive lowering of blood pressure. Heart rate increased significantly with nifedipine, decreased slightly but significantly with captopril and no significant change occurred with isosorbide dinitrate. Side effects occurred most frequently with nifedipine. Isosorbide caused less adverse reactions; however, some patients experienced serious hypotension with fainting. Patients who received captopril had no reported side effects. If both efficacy and safety are considered, captopril seems to be the most suitable sublingual drug for urgent treatment of severe hypertension