scholarly journals A Literature Review of Women’s Sex Hormone Changes by Acupuncture Treatment: Analysis of Human and Animal Studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jade Heejae Ko ◽  
Seung-Nam Kim

Background. It has been known that acupuncture treatment relieves gynecological disorders such as menopause, ovarian dysfunction, and dysmenorrhea. Sex hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and gonadotropins, are related to the women disease. However, regulative effect of acupuncture on sex hormones has not been fully identified. Methods. Acupuncture articles including analysis of sex hormones were searched in electronic databases from inception to June 2018. The methodological quality was assessed using modified CAMRADES tool. A total of 23 articles were selected and analyzed. Results. In the results, overall studies showed that acupuncture increases estrogen, especially estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and other hormones. Estradiol level was increased in most of studies except 3 studies which resulted in decreased level or not meaningful change. Two studies showed increase of FSH and LH whereas it was decreased in other studies. Other hormones were mostly increased by acupuncture. Conclusion. This study possibly indicates that acupuncture changes sex hormone in various gynecological conditions in women.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Song He ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
Zehui Yu ◽  
Faming Zhang ◽  
Sicheng Liang ◽  
...  

The role of the gut microbiome has been a hot topic in recent years. One aim of this review is to shed light on the crosstalk between sex hormones and the gut microbiome. Researchers have observed a sex bias of the composition of the gut microbiome in mice and have proved that sex differences influence the composition of the gut microbiome, although the influence is usually obscured by genetic variations. Via cell studies, animal studies and some observational studies in humans, researchers have confirmed that the gut microbiome can be shaped by the hormonal environment. On other hand, some theories suggest that the gut microbiota regulates the levels of sex hormones via interactions among its metabolites, the immune system, chronic inflammation and some nerve-endocrine axes, such as the gut-brain axis. In addition, bidirectional interactions between the microbiome and the hormonal system have also been observed, and the mechanisms of these interactions are being explored. We further describe the role of the gut microbiome in sex hormone-related diseases, such as ovarian cancer, postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), polycystic ovary syndrome and type 1 diabetes. Among these diseases, PMOP is described in detail. Finally, we discuss the treatments of these diseases and the application prospects of microbial intervention.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Oksana V Tsygankova ◽  
Artur R Badin ◽  
Zoya G Bondareva ◽  
Natalya G Lozhkina ◽  
Dmitrii Y Platonov

In this literature review, an attempt is made to analyze the interrelationships of the main sex hormones with the processes of development and progression of insulin resistance as a fundamental pathogenetic component of insulin-glucose homeostasis. In the evaluation of sex steroids, a complex approach was used - the associations of both androgens and estrogens in males and females are described in detail, a great deal of attention is paid to the violation of the secretion and effectiveness of the main adipocytokines - leptin and adiponectin in the sex hormone-insulin-glucose interaction chain. At the end of the review, new data on the expression of sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter (SGLT) and glucose transporters (GLUT) in animals, depending on sex, are presented.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Oksana V. Tsygankova ◽  
Artur R. Badin ◽  
Zoya G. Bondareva ◽  
Natalya G. Lozhkina ◽  
Dmitrii Y. Platonov

In this literature review, an attempt is made to analyze the interrelationships of the main sex hormones with the processes of development and progression of insulin resistance as a fundamental pathogenetic component of insulin-glucose homeostasis. In the evaluation of sex steroids, a complex approach was used - the associations of both androgens and estrogens in males and females are described in detail, a great deal of attention is paid to the violation of the secretion and effectiveness of the main adipocytokines - leptin and adiponectin in the sex hormone-insulin-glucose interaction chain. At the end of the review, new data on the expression of sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter (SGLT) and glucose transporters (GLUT) in animals, depending on sex, are presented.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Ciaffi ◽  
Nina M. van Leeuwen ◽  
Jan W. Schoones ◽  
Tom W.J. Huizinga ◽  
Jeska K. de Vries-Bouwstra

Author(s):  
Shung-Tai Ho ◽  
Tso-Chou Lin ◽  
Chun-Chang Yeh ◽  
Kuang-I Cheng ◽  
Wei-Zen Sun ◽  
...  

Background: Long-term use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain is associated with sex hormone disturbances. The interferences with sex hormones, sexual function, and depression were investigated in patients with chronic noncancer pain. Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter survey was conducted on 170 officially registered outpatients receiving long-term opioid treatment in nine medical centers in Taiwan between October 2018 and July 2019. Serum sex hormone levels were examined after the collection of self-administered questionnaires containing the Taiwanese version of the Brief Pain Inventory, depressive status, and sexual function interference. Results: Among 117 (68.8%) questionnaire responses from 170 enrolled outpatients, 38 women and 62 men completed the sex hormone tests, among whom only 23 (23%) had previously received blood hormone tests. Low serum total testosterone levels were detected in 34 (89.5%) women (<30 ng/dL) and 31 (50%) men (<300 ng/dL). Over 60% of women and men reported reduced sexual desire and function despite a nearly 50% reduction in pain intensity and daily function interference over the previous week after opioid treatment. Women generally had higher risks of a depression diagnosis (p = 0.034) and severe depressive symptoms (p = 0.003) and nonsignificantly lower opioid treatment duration (median 81 vs. 120 months) and morphine milligram equivalent (median 134 vs. 165 mg/day) compared with men. Conclusions: This survey demonstrated the high prevalence of depression diagnosis, low sex hormone levels, and reduced sexual function among Taiwanese patients with chronic noncancer pain receiving prolonged opioid therapy. Regular hypogonadal screenings are recommended for further management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1575
Author(s):  
Chan-Young Kwon ◽  
Boram Lee ◽  
Sang-Ho Kim

Acupuncture is a nonpharmacological intervention that can be useful in the clinical management of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in situations with a lack of medical resources, including large-scale PTSD events such as disasters. Some clinical studies have reported the clinical effect of acupuncture in improving PTSD symptoms, but the underlying therapeutic mechanism has yet to be explored. Therefore, this review summarized the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture in animal PTSD models. A comprehensive search was conducted in 14 electronic databases, and two independent researchers performed study selection, data extraction, and the methodological quality assessment. Twenty-four relevant studies were included in this review and summarized according to the proposed main mechanisms. In behavioral evaluation, acupuncture, including manual acupuncture and electro-acupuncture, reduced anxiety and fear responses and weakened fear conditioning, improved sleep architecture, reduced depressive symptoms, and alleviated disturbance of spatial learning and memory of PTSD animal models. The therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture proposed in the included studies could be classified into two categories: (1) regulation of stress responses in the neuroendocrine system and (2) promotion of neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity in several brain areas. However, the methodological quality of the included animal studies was not high enough to produce robust evidence. In addition, mechanistic studies on specific aspects of acupuncture that may affect PTSD, including expectancy effects, in human PTSD subjects are also needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4620
Author(s):  
Holly J. Woodward ◽  
Dongxing Zhu ◽  
Patrick W. F. Hadoke ◽  
Victoria E. MacRae

Sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD), including aortic stenosis, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular calcification, are well documented. High levels of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular calcification, whilst estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, is considered cardioprotective. Current understanding of sexual dimorphism in cardiovascular calcification is still very limited. This review assesses the evidence that the actions of sex hormones influence the development of cardiovascular calcification. We address the current question of whether sex hormones could play a role in the sexual dimorphism seen in cardiovascular calcification, by discussing potential mechanisms of actions of sex hormones and evidence in pre-clinical research. More advanced investigations and understanding of sex hormones in calcification could provide a better translational outcome for those suffering with cardiovascular calcification.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Lei ◽  
Yan Sun ◽  
Jiawen Liao ◽  
Yuan Yuan ◽  
Linlin Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There are only a few studies on sex hormones in females of different ages suffering from depression, and their conclusions are not uniform until now. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the severity of depression in females and factors such as sex hormones and differences in sex hormone levels in females of different ages, exploring variations after treatment. Methods A total of 169 females with depression were selected and divided into the first-episode (91 cases) and recurrent (78 cases) groups. Then, on the basis of their age, the first-episode patients were divided into the young (48 cases, age < 45 years), perimenopausal (20 cases, 45–55 years), and elderly groups (23 cases, age > 55 years); the patients with recurrent depression were classified into the young (37 cases, age < 45 years), perimenopausal (19 cases, 45–55 years), and elderly groups (22 cases, age > 55 years). The patients were assessed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases of mental and behavioral disorders. The serum progesterone, prolactin, estradiol, and testosterone levels in the patients were measured, and differences in sex hormone levels of the groups were analyzed. Results The estradiol level was negatively correlated with age and the prolactin level was positively correlated with occupation. The severity of depression in females was found to be negatively correlated with age. The serum progesterone and estradiol levels in the young group were significantly higher than those in the elderly group, regardless of the first episode or recurrence. Estradiol levels in the perimenopausal and elderly groups with first-episode depression were significantly higher than those in the same group with recurrent depression. However, there was no significant difference in the serum progesterone, prolactin, estradiol, and testosterone levels in the recurrent group before and after treatment. Conclusions Sex hormone levels, especially estradiol, varied among females of different ages suffering from depression. Recurrent depression also has a certain effect on sex hormone levels in females. Not only should the age and relapse be considered when studying the sex hormone levels of females with depression, but also attention should be paid to whether the patients have used antidepressants before their sexual hormonal testing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 104929
Author(s):  
Gareth Richards ◽  
Tess Beking ◽  
Baudewijntje P.C. Kreukels ◽  
Reint H. Geuze ◽  
Alan A. Beaton ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Sung-A Kim ◽  
Sook-Hyun Lee ◽  
Jang-Hoon Kim ◽  
Maurits van den Noort ◽  
Peggy Bosch ◽  
...  

Patients with insomnia frequently use acupuncture as an alternative treatment to pharmacotherapy globally. The aim of this paper is to assess the effect of acupuncture on insomnia. Seven medical databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CNKI, RISS, NDSL, and OASIS, were used to identify studies published through July 09, 2020. Twenty-four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this qualitative review comparing acupuncture to either pharmacotherapy or sham-acupuncture therapy. Methodological quality was assessed, using the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB). In the subsequent quantitative meta-analysis of studies comparing acupuncture versus pharmacotherapy, fifteen RCTs demonstrated that acupuncture had a significant effect on patients with insomnia as assessed by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) (RR: –0.74; 95% CI: –1.07 to –0.40; [Formula: see text] ¡0.0001; [Formula: see text] = 89%; [Formula: see text] = 1475). A subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant effect after weeks 1 and 2, but six studies found that acupuncture had a significant effect insomnia at week 3 (RR: –0.97; 95% CI: –1.65 to –0.28; [Formula: see text] = 0.006; [Formula: see text] = 91%; [Formula: see text] = 463) and nine studies demonstrated a significant effect at week 4 (RR: –0.70; 95% CI: –1.15 to –0.25; [Formula: see text] = 0.002; [Formula: see text] = 85%; [Formula: see text] = 594). These results suggest that insomnia patients may experience significant improvement in symptoms after more than three weeks of acupuncture treatment compared to pharmacological treatments.


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