Adrenal circadian system in young and elderly human subjects: a comparative study

1982 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvan Touitou ◽  
José Sulon ◽  
André Bogdan ◽  
Catherine Touitou ◽  
Alain Reinberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Senile Dementia ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Temporal Organization ◽  
Adrenocortical Function ◽  
Total Cortisol ◽  
Healthy Elderly

Circadian changes in plasma 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC), total and unbound cortisol were studied in four groups: seven healthy young men, six elderly men, six elderly women and six elderly demented patients of both sexes. The daily activities of the subjects were synchronous; blood samples were taken every 4 h and 4 hourly urine samples were collected only from the young men. A circadian rhythm was defined for plasma 18-OH-DOC, total and unbound cortisol in all groups; the secretory patterns of these steroids were parallel, as were the profiles of urinary 18-OH-DOC and unconjugated cortisol. When compared with respect to sex, the 24-h mean level of total cortisol was higher in women; that of unbound cortisol was higher in the three groups of elderly patients than in the young men. No major changes in plasma steroids were observed between elderly demented patients (mainly women) and healthy elderly women. The phasing of total and unbound cortisol showed no major modifications with age, sex or senile dementia. Acrophases of 18-OH-DOC were earlier in elderly patients than in young men. Amplitudes were not modified with sex in elderly patients but were always lower in the demented patients. A circadian rhythm was defined for 18-OH-DOC, unconjugated cortisol, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OH-CS) and 17-ketosteroids in the urine of the young men. The acrophases of 18-OH-DOC and unbound cortisol were close, as were those of 17-OH-CS and 17-ketosteroids. The lag was short between the acrophases of 18-OH-DOC in plasma and urine and between those of plasma unbound cortisol and urinary unconjugated cortisol; it was much larger between the acrophases of plasma total cortisol and 17-OH-CS. Thus, the process of ageing, and the possible alterations in the central nervous system which are often seen in normal ageing, induced no major modifications in the temporal organization of adrenocortical function, even in subjects who were very advanced in age.

Patterns of plasma melatonin with ageing and mental condition: stability of nyctohemeral rhythms and differences in seasonal variations

1984 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvan Touitou ◽  
Michèle Fèvre ◽  
Andrè Bogdan ◽  
Alain Reinberg ◽  
Jean De Prins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Women ◽  
Senile Dementia ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Peak Time ◽  
Seasonal Rhythms ◽  
Plasma Melatonin ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract. Effects of ageing and mental condition on the nyctohemeral and seasonal rhythms of plasma melatonin in human subjects were investigated. Four groups of subjects were formed for a transverse study: 7 healthy young men (24 years), 6 elderly women, 6 elderly men and 6 elderly patients (2 men and 4 women) suffering from senile dementia (70–80 years). The subjects were synchronized. Blood samples were taken every 4 h during 24 h in January, March, June and October. In comparison to young men, the plasma levels of melatonin were markedly decreased (by about one half) in elderly subjects without any difference according to sex or mental condition. Nyctohemeral rhythms of the hormone were validated in all groups and at all sampling sessions. The nyctohemeral acrophases were remarkably stable (around 03.00 h) whatever the season, age or sex. A seasonal variation was found in all groups (except elderly women) with differences between young and elderly subjects: plasma melatonin levels were significantly lower in January than in June in young men, whereas in elderly subjects they were significantly lower in October than in January/March. No significant difference was observed in mesor, amplitude or acrophase of nyctohemeral and seasonal rhythms of plasma melatonin in patients with senile dementia when compared with healthy elderly subjects. The stability of the nyctohemeral peak time whatever the age group or season as opposed to the differences in the seasonal pattern of plasma melatonin according to the age groups raises the problems of both outdoor photoperiod and ageing in ruling the secretion of melatonin in man.

Seasonal rhythms of plasma gonadotrophins: their persistence in elderly men and women

1983 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvan Touitou ◽  
Michel Lagoguey ◽  
André Bogdan ◽  
Alain Reinberg ◽  
Hervé Beck
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Senile Dementia ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Circannual Rhythm ◽  
Elderly Men ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Seasonal Rhythms ◽  
The Core

Circannual changes of immunoreactive LH and FSH were documented on a circadian basis in January, March, June and October in four groups of subjects: seven young men, six elderly men, six elderly women and six men and women suffering from senile dementia. The sampling was serially dependent only for the young men and the core subgroups of elderly men and elderly women. A circadian rhythm for FSH was not detected in any group of subjects during any of the sampling sessions, whereas a circadian rhythm for LH was detected twice (June and October) in young men, once (October) in elderly demented patients, and not at all in the groups of elderly men and women. Both 24-h and yearly mean levels of gonadotrophins were higher in elderly subjects (two-to 25-fold according to the hormone, sex and season) than in young men. Circannual rhythms of plasma LH with large amplitudes were validated by the cosinor method, with an acrophase located in April or May. A circannual rhythm of plasma FSH was validated only in young men, with an acrophase in October. The persistence of a circannual rhythm of plasma LH with large amplitude in elderly subjects, associated with high mean levels of the hormone, especially in elderly women, suggests that this bioperiodicity of the pituitary gland is independent of gonadal function.

Nutritional State of Elderly Women on Admission to Mental Hospital

1985 ◽  
Vol 147 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Hancock ◽  
R. P. Hullin ◽  
P. R. Aylard ◽  
J. R. King ◽  
D. B. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Mental Hospital ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Senile Dementia ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Low Levels

Since nutritional deficiencies might worsen the severity of symptoms and prolong the length of illness in non-nutritional disorders, particularly in the elderly, we examined the nutritional status of 216 elderly women newly admitted to a mental hospital. Compared to healthy elderly women, they had lower values for plasma prealbumin, vitamin C, and B vitamins. This was particularly common in senile dementia, and appeared to be the result of inadequate intake of protein or vitamins. Regular hospital diet for one month corrected the very low levels of prealbumin, but supplements were essential to remove deficiency of the water-soluble vitamins. Although vitamin supplements did not influence the length of stay in hospital, we did not exclude the possibility that nutritional deficiencies have a significant effect on the severity of mental illness.

scholarly journals Long-Term Follow-up of the Circadian Rhythm of Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Elderly Patients

2006 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 889-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirofumi Tasaki ◽  
Takumi Serita ◽  
Chiaki Ueyama ◽  
Kouei Kitano ◽  
Shinji Seto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

Adrenocortical hormones, ageing and mental condition: seasonal and circadian rhythms of plasma 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone, total and free cortisol and urinary corticosteroids

1983 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvan Touitou ◽  
José Sulon ◽  
André Bogdan ◽  
Alain Reinberg ◽  
Jean-Claude Sodoyez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Young Men ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Urinary Free Cortisol ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Circannual Rhythm ◽  
Total Cortisol ◽  
Free Cortisol

The circannual rhythms of plasma 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC), total and free cortisol have been documented on a circadian basis in January, March, June and October in seven young men (24 years old), six elderly men, six elderly women and six elderly demented subjects, both men and women, in their eighties. Blood samples were drawn every 4 h over a 24-h period at each sampling session and urine samples were collected at 4-h intervals only from the young men. A circadian rhythm of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OH-CS), 17-ketosteroids (17-KS), urinary free cortisol and 18-OH-DOC was defined for each of the four seasons with stable acrophases throughout the year and the same excretory profiles. A circannual rhythm was validated in young men for 17-OH-CS, urinary free cortisol and 18-OH-DOC but not for 17-KS. A circadian rhythm of plasma free cortisol, the active form of the hormone, plasma total cortisol and plasma 18-OH-DOC was validated in all groups and at all the seasons at which samples were taken. The secretory profiles of 18-OH-DOC, free and total cortisol were very similar, with no differences attributable to age, sex or mental condition except for the levels of plasma free cortisol and 18-OH-DOC which were higher and lower respectively in the elderly subjects. Whereas a circannual rhythm of plasma 18-OH-DOC was validated for all groups, a circannual rhythm of both free and total cortisol in the plasma was validated in young men but not in any group of elderly subjects. This loss of the circannual rhythmicity of cortisol in the elderly may reflect the decrease with age of the capacity to adapt to seasonal external factors.

Age- and sex-associated modification of plasma melatonin concentrations in man. Relationship to pathology, malignant or not, and autopsy findings

1985 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Touitou ◽  
M. Fevre-Montange ◽  
J. Proust ◽  
E. Klinger ◽  
J. P. Nakache
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Women ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Autopsy Findings ◽  
Plasma Melatonin ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Pineal Function ◽  
Diagnostic Applications ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome

Abstract. Plasma melatonin concentrations were determined in 757 unselected elderly patients aged 80.9 ± 9.7 years. The daytime (8–9.30 h) plasma levels of melatonin were in the so-called normal range in only one third of the population whereas 65% of the subjects had abnormal levels of the hormone, most often decreased i.e. less than 0.17 nmol/l (53%) and sometimes increased i.e. 0.43 nmol/l or higher (12%). A control group of healthy elderly subjects showed the same distribution as the entire population. A sex-difference with significantly higher levels of plasma melatonin in elderly women was observed. With respect to pathology and autopsy findings high levels of the hormone correlated with cancer, chronic renal failure, cardiovascular disease, biological inflammatory syndrome and diabetes. Low levels correlated with neurologic disease, tobacco or alcohol addiction. However, some of these relations were found to be sex-related as they were observed in women but not in men. Our data indicate that pineal function seems to be often altered in elderly human subjects and suggest potential diagnostic applications of melatonin determination.

scholarly journals Chronodisruption: effects on reproduction, transgenerational health of offspring and epigenome

Reproduction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 160 (5) ◽  
pp. R79-R94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leyla Sati
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Temporal Organization ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Reproductive Systems ◽  
Complex Biological System ◽  
Epigenetic Effects

The circadian system regulates the daily temporal organization in behavior and physiology, including neuroendocrine rhythms and reproduction. Modern life, however, increasingly impacts this complex biological system. Due to limitations of working with human subjects exposed to shift work schedules, most chronoregulation research has used rodent models. Recent publications in these model systems have emphasized the negative effects of circadian rhythm disruption on both female and male reproductive systems and fertility. Additionally, there is growing concern about the long-term effects of circadian rhythm disruptions during pregnancy on human offspring and their descendants as circadian regulation during pregnancy can also alter epigenetic programing in offspring. However, to truly know if such concerns apply to humans will require retrospective and prospective human studies. Therefore, this review will highlight the latest available evidence regarding potential effects of chronodisruption on both female and male reproductive systems. Additionally, it presents a comprehensive summary of transgenerational and epigenetic effects on adult offspring that result from maternal chronodisruption.

AGE- AND MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS OF PLASMA LEVELS OF MELATONIN, PROLACTIN, LUTEINIZING HORMONE AND FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE IN MAN

1981 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
YVAN TOUITOU ◽  
MICHÈLE FÈVRE ◽  
MICHEL LAGOGUEY ◽  
ALAIN CARAYON ◽  
ANDRÉ BOGDAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Young Men ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Elderly Men ◽  
Health Related

Circadian changes in plasma levels of melatonin, prolactin, LH and FSH were studied in four groups: seven healthy young men, six elderly men, six elderly women and six elderly demented patients (two men and four women). The daily activities of the subjects were synchronous and blood samples were taken every 4 h. The 24-h mean concentrations of prolactin in plasma were the same in all groups, whereas those of LH and FSH were twice as high in the elderly as in the young men and eight and 23 times higher respectively in the elderly women. The 24-h mean plasma levels of melatonin in the elderly were half those in the young, but were not influenced by the sex or mental condition of the subjects. A statistically significant circadian rhythm for melatonin was defined in the four groups, for prolactin in all groups except the elderly men and for LH only in the demented patients and in the young men. No circadian rhythm could be detected for FSH in any of the four groups. The acrophases of melatonin and prolactin ranged between 02.30 and 04.00 h, those of LH (when a rhythm was validated) clustered around 01.00 h. The circadian rhythms of plasma levels of melatonin, prolactin and LH are not modified in old age nor in dementia. A positive correlation has been demonstrated in young men between melatonin and LH and between melatonin and prolactin, but no such correlation could be found in the elderly.

scholarly journals Assessment of Functions of the Autonomic Nervous System in the Elderly with Different Comorbid Factors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sushma S. ◽  
Medha Y Rao ◽  
Shaikh Mohammed Aslam
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Deep Breathing ◽  
Isometric Handgrip ◽  
Male Predominance ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Deep Breathing Test

Abstract Background Studies in healthy elderly patients have shown the prevalence of autonomic dysfunction (AD) in the range of 20 to 30%. However, there is paucity in data pertaining to AD in the elderly in the Indian context. Objective To assess the prevalence of AD in the elderly irrespective of their comorbidity status. Methods A total of 141 elderly patients with or without comorbidities/symptoms of AD were included. Demographic and clinical details of the patients were recorded. Autonomic function tests (AFTs) such as deep breathing test, Valsalva ratio, orthostatic heart rate (OHR), isometric handgrip test, and orthostatic blood pressure were performed based on Ewing’s battery of tests. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and the accuracy of AFTs were evaluated. Results Most patients (n = 85) were aged between 60 and 69 years, with a male predominance (58.87%). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. Postural hypotension was the most common symptom of AD. With advancing age, symptoms of AD manifested significantly more. Overall, 73.8% of patients had AD, of whom 45.4% had early AD. Number of AD symptoms, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and comorbid factors (diabetes and hypertension) were significantly associated with the results of AFTs (p < 0.05). AFTs were highly significant with respect to the results obtained (p < 0.001). Deep breathing test, abnormal in majority of study patients, has a sensitivity of 93.3% and OHR has a specificity of 81.1% to determine AD. Conclusion The study concludes that age itself is an independent predictor of AD, which increases in severity if associated with comorbidities.

The Crisis of Becoming-Nature in Howard Barker’s Recent Dramas

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-114
Author(s):  
Karoline Gritzner
Keyword(s):  
Recent Work ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Human Agency ◽  
The Self ◽  
Love Relationships ◽  
Late Style ◽  
Life Force ◽  
The Individual

AbstractThis article discusses how in Howard Barker’s recent work the idea of the subject’s crisis hinges on the introduction of an impersonal or transpersonal life force that persists beyond human agency. The article considers Barker’s metaphorical treatment of the images of land and stone and their interrelationship with the human body, where the notion of subjective crisis results from an awareness of objective forces that transcend the self. In “Immense Kiss” (2018) and “Critique of Pure Feeling” (2018), the idea of crisis, whilst still dominant, seems to lose its intermittent character of singular rupture and reveals itself as a permanent force of dissolution and reification. In these plays, the evocation of nonhuman nature in the love relationships between young men and elderly women affirms the existence of something that goes beyond the individual, which Barker approaches with a late-style poetic sensibility.

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