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BACKGROUND:

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) are fundamental in skeletal growth during puberty and bone health throughout life. GH increases tissue formation by acting directly and indirectly on target cells; IGF-1 is a critical mediator of bone growth. Clinical studies reporting the use of GH and IGF-1 in osteoporosis and fracture healing are outlined.

METHODS:

A Pubmed search revealed 39 clinical studies reporting the effects of GH and IGF-1 administration on bone metabolism in osteopenic and osteoporotic human subjects and on bone healing in operated patients with normal GH secretion...

PURPOSE:

This study seeks to determine the risks for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiometabolic disease (CMR) in elderly patients with mild-moderate abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

METHODS:

Three hundred two elderly patients with diagnosed small AAA disease were subjects. CMR was assessed by several biomarkers, with special focus on the Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) and the Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG Index), two validated screening indicators of CMR related to central obesity and insulin resistance, respectively. Analysis of OSA risk was assessed with the Berlin Questionnaire.

RESULTS:

The patients (60.6 %) had increased risk of OSA; those at high risk also were at increased (p < 0.05) risk for CMR (15/25 biomarkers).

CONCLUSIONS:

As a group, elderly AAA pat...

PURPOSE:

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in cardiovascular disease and in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and its complications, and it has been shown to increase insulin resistance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of aerobic exercise training and weight loss on ROS in overweight and obese patients as applied in a community clinical setting.

METHODS:

Fifty healthy female clinic patients (M ± SEM: age, 41.0 ± 1.8 years; body mass index, 28.2 ± 0.8 kg/m2), free of cardiovascular events and not on drug therapy were evaluated before and after 3 months of dietary restriction (∼150 to 300 kcal/day deficit) and aerobic training (3 days/week for 1 hour at ∼75% VO2max)...

Anemia in elderly population have a great incidence and is related to increased mortality risk. The incidence of nutrition in anemia is about one third of the total. Caloric and protein restriction, iron, vitamin B₁₂, folic deficiency are the causes of nutritional anemia. Protein and energy malnutrition stimulate an increased cytokines production with induction of inflammation, immunodeficiency and anemia. Anorexia and obesity can be associated with anemia due to increased cytokines and hepdicin serum level. Macrophages activity is inhibited and a decrease in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration due to ineffective erythropoiesis is observed. An adequate energy and protein diet is necessary to reduce inflammation and increase iron absorption...

INTRODUCTION:

Human neurodegenerative diseases increase progressively with age and present a high social and economic burden. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are both growth factors exerting trophic effects on neuronal regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). GH and IGF-1 stimulate protein synthesis in neurons, glia, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells, and favor neuronal survival, inhibiting apoptosis. This study aims to evaluate the effect of GH and IGF-1 on neurons, and their possible therapeutic clinical applications on neuron regeneration in human subjects.

METHODS:

In the literature, we searched the clinical trials and followed up studies in humans, which have evaluated the effect of GH/IGF-1 on CNS a...