The microarchitecture and chemical composition of the femur neck of senescent female rats after different physical training protocols.

A sedentary lifestyle, coupled with a decrease in estrogen, impairs bone homeostasis, favoring to the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis, both recognized as risk factors for fractures. Here, we investigated the quality of the femur, particularly the femur neck region, and the ambulation performance of senescent rats subjected to three different physical training protocols during the periestropause period. Forty-eight female rats, 18 months of age, were subjected to a 120-day training period, three times a week. The rats were distributed into four groups: aerobic training (AT), strength training (ST), concurrent training (CT), or no training (NT). After the experimental period, at 21 months of age, ambulation performance and femur were analyzed using microtomography, Raman stereology, densitometry, and mechanical strength tests. The results demonstrated greater remodeling activity and improvement in resistance and bone microarchitecture in the femur neck of senescent female rats after undergoing physical training. Our verified higher intensities of bands related to collagen, phosphate, amide III, and amide I. Furthermore, the analysis of the secondary collagen structures indicated alterations in the collagen network due to the exercise, resulting in increased bone strength. Both AT and strength-based training proved beneficial, with AT showing greater adaptations in bone density and stiffness in the femur, while strength-based training greater adaptations in trabecular and cortical structure. These insights contribute to the understanding of the potential interventions for preventing osteopenia and osteoporosis, which are critical risk factors for fractures.

Sex- and Age-Related Physiological Profiles for Brachial, Vertebral, Carotid, and Femoral Arteries Blood Flow Velocity Parameters During Growth and Aging (4-76 Years): Comparison With Clinical Cut-Off Levels.

Ultrasound-derived blood flow velocity (BFV) levels [e.g., peak systolic velocity (PSV)], intrabeat indexes (e.g., resistive), and intersegment ratios [e.g., internal/common carotid artery (ICA/CCA) PSV ratio] are assessed to describe cardiovascular physiology and health status (e.g., disease severity evaluation and/or risk stratification). In this respect, fixed cut-off values (disregard of age or sex) have been proposed to define "significant" vascular disease from BFV-derived data (parameters). However, the use of single fixed cut-off values has limitations. Accurate use of BFV-derived parameters requires knowing their physiological age-related profiles and the expected values for a specific subject. To our knowledge, there are no studies that have characterized BFV profiles in large populations taking into account: (i) data from different age-stages (as a continuous) and transitions (childhood-adolescence-adulthood), (ii) complementary parameters, (iii) data from different arteries, and (iv) potential sex- and hemibody-related differences. Furthermore, (v) there is little information regarding normative data [reference intervals (RIs)] for BFV indexes. Aims: The aims of this study are the following: (a) to determine the need for age-, body side-, and sex-specific profiles for BFV levels and derived parameters (intrabeat indexes and intersegment ratios), and (b) to define RIs for BFV levels and parameters, obtained from CCA, ICA, external carotid, vertebral, femoral, and brachial arteries records. Methods: A total of 3,619 subjects (3-90 years) were included; 1,152 were healthy (without cardiovascular disease and atheroma plaques) and non-exposed to cardiovascular risk factors. BFV data were acquired. The agreement between left and right data was analyzed (Concordance correlation, Bland-Altman). Mean and SD equations and age-related profiles were obtained for BFV levels and parameters (regression methods; fractional polynomials). Results: Left and right body-side derived data were not always equivalent. The need for sex-specific RIs was dependent on the parameter and/or age considered. RIs were defined for each studied artery and parameter. Percentile curves were compared with recommended fixed cut-off points. The equations for sex, body-side, and age-specific BFV physiological profiles obtained in the large population (of children, adolescents, and adults) studied were included (spreadsheet formats), enabling to determine for a particular subject, the expected values and potential data deviations.

Terapia de reemplazo hormonal combinada con testosterona para el tratamiento del trastorno del deseo sexual hipoactivo en mujeres en climaterio* / Hormone replacement therapy combined with testosterone for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in climacteric women

Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de dos terapias hormonales sustitutivas, combinadas con testosterona, en el tratamiento del trastorno del deseo sexual hipoactivo en mujeres en climaterio. Materiales y métodos: ensayo clínico, aleatorizado, controlado, no enmascarado. Se incluyeron mujeres mayores o igual a 40 años y menores de 60 años, con útero, con actividad sexual en las últimas seis semanas, aquejadas por síntomas vasomotores, cuyo motivo de co sulta consistió en bajo deseo sexual. Se utilizó como instrumento el cuestionario Índice de Función Sexual Femenina (IFSF). Se asignaron dos grupos aleatorizados: grupo «A¼ (51 recibieron estrógenos conjugados de equinos y edroxiprogesterona más testosterona) y grupo «B¼ (54 tibolona más testosterona). El estudio fue realizado entre julio de 2015 y diciembre de 2016, en Armenia, Quindío, Colombia. Resultados: se analizó una población de 105 mujeres. La media de edad fue de 55,8 (DS±9,38) años. En la población total, al inicio del estudio, la mediana fue de 3 encuentros sexuales por mes. Al final la mediana fue de 5 encuentros sexuales por mes, (grupo «A¼ 4 encuentros y grupo «B¼ 7 encuentros, p=0,0036). Al finalizar la investigación se observó que las mujeres del grupo «B¼, mostraron puntuaciones promedias significativamente más altas en el IFSF (28,56 DS±4,63 puntos), al compararlas con las mujeres del grupo «A¼ (27,57 DS±4,32) (p<0,0001). Conclusiones: la terapia con tibolona asociada a testosterona es una opción de tratamiento efectiva en el trastorno del deseo sexual hipoactivo en mujeres en climaterio..(AU)

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two hormone replacement therapies, combined with testosterone, in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women in climacteric. Materials and methods: clinical trial, randomized, controlled, not masked. Women over 40 years old and under 60 years old, with a uterus, with sexual activity in the last six weeks, suffering from vasomotor symptoms, whose reason for consultation consisted of low sexual desire were included. The Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire was used as an instrument. Two randomized groups were assigned: group "A" (51 received conjugated estrogens from equines and medroxyprogesterone plus testosterone) and group "B" (54 tibolone plus testosterone). The study was conducted between July 2015 and December 2016, in Armenia, Quindío, Colombia. Results: a population of 105 women was analyzed. The average age was 55,8 (SD ± 9,38) years. In the total population, at the beginning of the study, the median was 3 sexual encounters per month. In the end, the median was 5 sexual encounters per month, (group «A¼ 4 meetings and group «B¼ 7 meetings, p = 0,0036). At the end of the investigation, it was observed that the women of the «B¼ group showed significantly higher average scores in the IFSF (28,56 SD ± 4,63 points), compared with values in the women of the «A¼ group (27,57 DS ± 4,32) (p<0,0001). Conclusions: testosterone-associated tibolone therapy is an effective treatment option in hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women in climacteric..(AU)