There is an increasing awareness in the food industry about the role that proper nutrition plays in maintaining health and preventing disease. Women especially have always been interested in nutrition and its impact on their well-being. This awareness has placed more pressure on the food industry to provide a greater variety of nutritious and wholesome products which has led to the development of a new field in the food industry, called functional foods. These are food products that apart from the micro- and macronutrients that it already provides have additional important physiologically active functions that enhance health. These active components, called phytochemicals (from plant sources) and zoochemicals (from animal sources) have changed the role of diet in health. Functional foods can, by nature or design, bridge the traditional gap between food and medicine and thereby provide consumers with the opportunity to become involved in their own health care. One of these functional foods that have been receiving increased attention and research is soy. Apart from other health benefits of soy, such as cholesterol reduction and bone strengthening, scientific evidence has shown that soy can be used as an alternative for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The increased interest in the latter can be ascribed to the changed attitude of women, as well as evidence of the side effects of conventional hormone replacement therapies. Consumer research in the nutraceutical area is, however, still in its infancy stage. Objective: The main objective of this study was thus to assess South African consumers' opinion of the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as an alternative for HRT. To attain this main objective, the following specific objectives were stated: To determine, by means of a consumer questionnaire, the percentage of South African consumers who are aware of soy. To determine, by means of an attitude scale, the attitudinal disposition of South African consumers towards the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as an alternative for HRT. To determine South African consumers' opinions regarding the menopausal related health benefits of soy. To determine whether there is a relation between respondents who Eat/drink soy and their opinion of the potential health benefits of soy. To determine whether there is a relation between respondents who never use soy and their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy. To determine whether there is a relation between respondents' opinion of the health benefits of soy and their opinions of soy as an alternative for HRT and reliever of menopausal symptoms, respectively. Methods: In this study, consumers' opinion regarding the health benefits of soy was evaluated using a questionnaire. Respondents were randomly selected from nine metropolitan, as well as rural areas in South Africa, representing the four main race groups, namely whites, blacks, coloureds and Indians. The total sample size of the metropolitan and rural subjects was 3001. A sub-dataset was created which included female respondents that have heard of soy before and were premenopausal (35-44 years) and post-menopausal (50-59 years) of age. Thus, the total number of respondents used for further statistical analyses was 825. The respondents expressed their opinions of the health benefits of soy on a five-point hedonic (Likert) scale which was adapted to a three-point scale for easier interpretation of the tables. Results: 1. Of the 3 001 respondents, 2 437 (80%) were aware of soy. 2. A mean attitudinal disposition score of 2.47 on a three-point scale indicated a neutral to positive attitudinal disposition of the South African consumer population towards the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as alternative for HRT. No practically significant differences were found between the mean values of each statement, which indicated that no specifically strong opinions were expressed between different races or between different age groups. 3. Of all the consumers surveyed and those who did express a specific opinion, 72% agreed that soy has many health benefits compared to only 7% who disagreed. Although 34% of South Africans expressed a positive opinion when asked if soy can be used as alternative for HRT, the majority (46%) of the population had a neutral opinion. Forty-two percent of the consumers who held an opinion regarding soy as reliever of menopausal symptoms were positive, 35% had a neutral opinion and 23% of South Africans did not agree that soy can relieve menopausal symptoms. 4. A relation, although not of practical significance, was found between respondents who eat/drink soy and their opinion of the health benefits of soy. Of the respondents who indicated that they eat/drink soy, the majority agreed that soy has many health benefits. The respondents who disagreed when asked if they eat/drink soy, still expressed an overall positive opinion when asked whether soy has many health benefits. 5. A relation, although not of practical significance, was found between respondents who never use soy and their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy. Of those who indicated that they use soy, the majority agreed that soy has a bone strengthening benefit. On the contrary, only 43% of those who agreed that they never use soy were positive about the bone strengthening benefit of soy, whereas 37% held a neutral opinion and 20% expressed a negative opinion. 6. The relation between respondents' opinion of the overall health benefits of soy and their opinion of soy as alternative for HRT and reliever of menopausal symptoms was of practical significance. Of the respondents who did not agree that soy has many health benefits, the majority expressed a negative opinion of soy as an alternative for HRT. Of those who agreed that soy has many health benefits, 45% expressed a neutral opinion and 44% a positive opinion of soy as alternative for HRT. Almost half (47%) of the respondents who agreed that soy does have many health benefits, expressed a neutral opinion when asked if soy can relieve menopausal symptoms, whereas only 30% had a positive opinion in this regard. The majority (86%) of the respondents who disagreed that soy has many health benefits, also expressed a negative opinion of soy as reliever for menopausal symptoms Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that 80% of the South African consumer population are aware of soy and that South African consumers have a neutral to positive attitudinal disposition towards the potential health benefits of soy. Respondents did not express a particularly strong opinion regarding several health benefits of soy. It may be hypothesized that they are not informed well enough on the health benefits of soy as to take a stand and to form a definite opinion. Neither different race groups, nor pre- or post-menopausal women differ significantly in the frequency of their opinions, indicating that in this study, race and age did not have a practical significant influence on opinion of the health benefits of soy. Of all those surveyed and who did express a specific opinion, 72% agreed that soy has many health benefits, which is almost the same percentage (74%) as American consumers who perceive soy products as healthy as according to the United Soybean Board (USB) National Report (2003-2004:4). A survey by Adams (2001:433) reported that 71% of American consumers believed that plant-derived HRT have fewer risks and can thus be used as a safe alterative for conventional HRT. According to the results of the present study only 34% of South African consumers expressed a positive opinion when asked if soy can be used as an alternative for HRT. Insufficient evidence on the safety and efficacy of the potential health benefits of soy, as well as a lack of consumer education in South Africa, could be the reason for this uncertainty among XIV South African consumers. While only 26% of American consumers are aware that soy might relieve menopausal symptoms (USB National Report, 2003- 2004:4), results of the current study found that 42% of South Africans were of opinion that soy can relieve menopausal symptoms. A relation, although not of practical significance, was found between respondents who eat/drink soy and their opinion of the health benefits of soy. This can be an indication that whether or not the South African consumer population consume soy doesn't have an influence on their opinion of soy's health benefits in practice. The relation found between respondents who never use soy and their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy were not of practical significance. This can be an indication that whether or not South Africans use soy does not influence their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy in practice. Furthermore, a practically significant relation was found between respondents' opinion of the overall health benefits of soy and their opinion of soy as alternative for HRT and reliever of menopausal symptoms, respectively. Interestingly, respondents who expressed a positive opinion regarding the health benefits of soy did not have a convincingly positive opinion of soy as alternative for HRT and as reliever of menopausal symptoms. They expressed a more neutral opinion. As expected, consumers that were not of opinion that soy has certain health benefits, also disagreed when asked if soy can be used as an alternative for HRT or as reliever of menopausal symptoms. Although the causes for the respondents' opinion or uncertainty were not determined in this study, it can be hypothesised that it may be due to lack of standardisation of evidence on the safety and efficacy of alternative hormone replacement therapies. Further studies are still needed to determine the contributing factors which influence consumers' opinion or lack of opinion on soy. If consumers are not educated about the benefits and disadvantages of soy as alternative for HRT, they cannot make intelligent decisions and choices as to whether or not to use soy as alternative for HRT. / Thesis (M. Consumer Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Sept. 3, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 50-67).

abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the potential effects of long term hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular autonomic nervous system responses to laboratory social stressors. The participants were 38 postmenopausal women, 18 using estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy for at least 2 years and 20 control participants without hormone replacement therapy. All women completed orthostasis (standing and sitting), then speech and math tasks (speech and math were counterbalanced). Cardiovascular measures of sympathetic nervous system (pre-ejection period, PEP) and parasympathetic nervous system (respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA) along with heart rate were collected throughout all periods (baseline, orthostasis, and stressors). For orthostasis, results of mixed analyses of variance (ANOVAs) showed expected period effects for heart rate, RSA and PEP, but no group or group by period interaction was significant. For the psychological stressors, period main effects were significant for all three variables, suggesting that the tasks were effective at inducing stress. Also, there was a significant interaction between group and period for RSA, demonstrated by greater decrease during the psychological stressor period in the group using HRT. The interactions between group and period for heart rate and PEP were non-significant. These findings support the notion that HRT may slow age-related decreases in parasympathetic responsiveness. Furthermore, changes in vagal reactivity in relation to use of HRT appear to occur within mechanisms involving response and coping with psychological stressors, rather than mechanisms that accommodate basic physiological task such as orthostasis. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Psychology 2013

No description available.

Thesis (PhD (Biochemistry))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and norethisterone (NET) and its derivatives (norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN); norethisterone acetate (NETA)), are used by millions of women as contraceptives and in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Although both progestins are widely used, very little is known about their mechanism of action at the molecular level. In this thesis, the differential regulation of gene expression and molecular mechanism of action via different steroid receptors by these synthetic progestons, as compared to progesterone (Prog) was investigated in human cell lines. In the first part of the study, the effect of Prog, MPA and NET-A on the expression of endogenous cytokine genes was investigated in two epithelial cell lines of the human female genital tract, Ect1/E6E7 (an ectocervical cell line) and Vk2/E6E7 (a vaginal cell line). Quantitative realtime RT-PCR (QPCR) showed ligand-specific and cell-specific regulation of the interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and RANTES (Regulated-upon-Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted) genes with Prog, MPA and NET-A. Moreover, the repression of the TNF -induced RANTES gene by MPA in the Ect1/E6E7 cell line was found to be mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). The second part of the study focused on elucidating the androgenic activities of these two progestins, in comparison to Prog. Competitive binding in whole cells revealed that Prog, MPA and NET-A have a similar binding affinity for the hAR as the natural androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Both transactivation and transrepression transcriptional assays demonstrate that, unlike Prog, MPA and NET-A are efficacious AR agonists, with activities comparable to DHT. Using a mammalian two-hydrid assay, it was shown that MPA and NET-A exert their androgenic actions by different mechanisms. NET-A, like DHT and other well-characterised androgens, induces the ligand-dependent interaction between the NH2- and COOH-terminal domains (N/C-interaction) of the AR independent of promoter-context, while MPA does this in a promoterdependent manner. In the third part of this study, competitive binding revealed that MPA and NET-A have a similar binding affinity to each other, but about a 100-fold lower affinity than Prog for the human mineralocorticoid receptor (hMR), while RU486 has an even lower affinity for the hMR. Promoter-reporter assays showed that MPA, NET-A and RU486 are all antagonists of the hMR, but unlike Prog, they have weak antagonistic activity. However, on the endogenous MR-regulated Orm-1 (a-glycolytic protein or orosomucoid-1) gene expressed in a rat cardiomyocyte cell line, NET-A and RU486, but not MPA, has similar antagonistic activity as Prog. This study is the first to show that, NET-A and RU486, but not MPA, can dissociate between transrepression and transactivation via the hMR. Taken together, these results show that natural Prog and the synthetic progestins, MPA and NET-A display differential promoter-, cell- and receptor-specific effects on gene expression. Furthermore they may have important implications for cervicovaginal immune function, cardiovascular and other physiological functions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Medroksieprogesteroon asetaat (MPA), noretisteroon (NET) en derivate daarvan (noretisteroon enantaat (NET-EN); noretisteroon asetaat (NET-A), word deur miljoene vroue gebruik as voorbehoedmiddels en vir hormoon vervangingsterapie (HVT). Tenspyte daarvan dat beide hierdie progestiene algemeen gebruik word, is min bekend oor hulle meganisme van werking op molekulêre vlak. In hierdie proefskrif word die differensiële regulering van geenuitdrukking asook die molekulêre meganisme van werking deur middel van steroïedreseptore van beide hierdie sintetiese progestiene, ondersoek, en vergelyk met progesteroon (Prog), in menslike sellyne. In die eerste deel van die studie is die effek van Prog, MPA en NET-A op die uitdrukking van endogene sitokinien gene ondersoek in twee epiteel sellyne van die menslike vroulike geslagskanaal, Ect1/E6E7 (‘n ektoservikale sellyn) en Vk2/E6E7 (‘n vaginale sellyn). Kwantitatiewe intydse RT-PKR het ligand-spesifieke en selspesifieke regulering van interleukien (IL)-6, IL-8 en RANTES (Regulering-na- Aktivering, Normale T-sel Uitgedrukte en Afgeskei) gene getoon met Prog, MPA en NET-A. Verder is gevind dat die onderdrukking van die TNF- - geïnduseerde RANTES geen deur MPA in die Ect1/E6E7 sellyn bemiddel word deur die androgeen reseptor (AR). Die tweede deel van die studie het gefokus op die toeligting van die androgeniese aktiwiteit van die twee progestiene in vergelyking met Prog. Kompeterende binding in volselle het getoon dat Prog, MPA en NET-A ‘n soortelyke bindings affiniteit vir die menslike AR as die natuurlike androgeen dehidrotestosteroon (DHT) vir die menslike AR het. Beide transaktiverings en transonderdrukkings transkripsionele analieses toon dat, anders as Prog, MPA en NET-A effektiewe AR agoniste is met aktiwiteite wat vergelykbaar is met die van DHT. Deur die gebruik van ‘n soogdier twee-hibried toets, kon gewys word dat MPA en NET-A hul androgeniese effekte uitoefen deur verskillende meganismes. NET-A, soos DHT en ander goed gekarakteriseerde androgene, induseer die ligand-afhanklike interaksie tussen die NH2- en COOH-terminale domeine (N/C-interaksie) van die AR, onafhanklik van die promoter-konteks. MPA, aan die ander kant, doen dit op ‘n promoter-afhanklike manier. In die derde deel van die studie het kompeterende binding getoon dat MPA en NETA soortelyke relatiewe bindings affiniteite vir die menslike mineralokortikoïed reseptor (hMR) het, maar dat hierdie affiniteit ongeveer 100-voud laer is as die van Prog en dat die affiniteit van RU486 vir hMR selfs nog laer is. Promoter-rapporteerder toetse het getoon dat MPA, NET-A en RU486 almal antagoniste van die hMR is, maar anders as Prog, is hierdie ‘n swak antagonistiese aktiwiteit. Nietemin, op die endogene MR-gereguleerde Orm-1 ( -glikolitiese proteïen of orosomukoïed-1) geen, uitgedruk in ‘n rot kardiomiosiet sellyn, het NET-A en RU486, maar nie MPA nie, ‘n soortgelyke antagonistiese aktiwiteit as Prog. Hierdie studie is die eerste om te wys dat NET-A en RU486, maar nie MPA nie, kan onderskei tussen transrepressie en transaktivering deur middel van die hMR. Samevattend toon die resultate dat natuurlike Prog en die sintetiese progestiene, MPA en NET-A, ‘n differentiële promoter-, sel- en reseptor-spesifieke effek op geenuitdrukking het. Verder mag die resultate belangrike implikasies vir servikovaginale immuunfunksie, asook kardiovaskulêre en ander fisiologiese funksies, inhou.

The mammary gland cell growth and differentiation are under the control of both systemic hormones and locally produced growth factors. Among all these important hormones and growth factors, estrogen plays a central role in mammary gland development. The biological function of estrogen is mediated by estrogen receptor α (ERα) and estrogen receptor β (ERβ). Both ERα and ERβ are expressed in the mammary gland, but with distinct expression patterns. In the mammary gland, ERα has been proved to be the estrogen receptor that mediates the mitogenic function of estrogen. However the function of ERβ in mammary cell proliferation is less understood and there remains some controversy. Accumulating evidence indicates that ERβ, unlike ERα, is a negative regulator of mammary epithelial cell proliferation. In this dissertation, ERα and ERβ were evaluated for their expression patterns in the mammary gland. In the proestrus phase, ERα was detected in about 20% of mammary epithelial cells; in the diestrus phase, no ERα staining was detected in the mammary gland. ERβ was expressed in more than 50% of mammary epithelial cells and ERβ staining was detected in some stromal cells in the proestrus phase. In the diestrus phase, ERβ staining cells were very limited and the staining intensity was very weak. These data suggest that the expression levels of both ERα and ERβ undergo dynamic changes during the estrous cycle. In the ovariectomised (OVX) rats, both ERα and ERβ were detected in more than 50% of mammary epithelial cells. Compared with the ovary-intact rats, the mammary gland of the OVX rats showed more cells with ERα expression, but the staining intensity was weaker. Taken together, the expression of ERα and ERβ is regulated by estrogen in normal mammary gland, while without estrogen stimulation in the OVX rats, more mammary cells showed ERα expression, but at a lower level in these cells. The effects of ERα and ERβ on mammary cell proliferation were studied by two different approaches, activation of endogenous ERα and ERβ via selective agonists, and overexpression of ERα and ERβ via lentiviral infection. In the first approach, we used ERα and ERβ selective agonists, propylpyrazole-triol (PPT) and diarylpropionitrile (DPN) respectively, to activate endogenous ERα and ERβ in the OVX rats. We found that ERβ selective agonist DPN counteracts the proliferative effect of ERα selective agonist PPT in the mammary gland. In the second approach, ERα and ERβ were ectopically overexpressed in the mammary gland of mature virgin rats by lentivirus infection. We found that ERβ overexpression significantly decreased mammary cell proliferation rate in both the proestrus and diestrus phases, indicating that ERβ, unlike ERα, is a negative regulator for mammary cell proliferation. Collectively, these data supports that in contrast to ERα, ERβ activation or overexpression is able to inhibit mammary cell proliferation.

Introdução: Isoflavonóides são compostos encontrados em vários vegetais e apresentam diversos efeitos farmacológicos. Dentre estes compostos, encontramos os fitoestrógenos, assim chamados por possuírem ações que mimetizam o efeito do estrógeno natural sobre as células. A soja (Glycine max), um dos vegetais ricos nos fitoestrógenos daidzeína e genisteína, tem sido indicada pela literatura como terapia alternativa para a menopausa pela atividade estrogênica que apresenta, visto que a terapia estroprogestiva para tratar os sintomas desta fase aponta um aumento da incidência de câncer de mama. Objetivo: Avaliar a promoção de apoptose e/ou necrose por um Extrato de Soja (Glycine max) Biotransformado pelo fungo Aspergillus awamori (ESBF) em células de linhagem de adenocarcinoma mamário estrógeno-dependentes (MCF-7) e estrógeno-independentes (SK-BR-3). Materiais e métodos: o ESBF foi produzido na Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP/USP), com concentração determinada de daidzeína (D) e genisteína (G) por CLAE e avaliado em dois modelos de células de adenocarcinoma mamário: estrógeno-dependentes (MCF-7) e estrógeno-independentes (SK-BR-3). Nestes modelos experimentais, foram avaliados também, o Extrato de Soja (ES) e os padrões comerciais de daidzeína (D) e genisteína (G) isoladas ou em combinação (D+G). Neste estudo avaliamos estes compostos perante os parâmetros: a) citotoxicidade pelo método de MTT; b) necrose e apoptose celular pelo ensaio de marcação por iodeto de propídio (IP) e anexina-V e IP; c) a atividade da caspase-3 por western blotting. Resultados: o ESBF nas linhagem MCF-7 e SK-BR-3 apresentou citotoxicidade dose-dependente a partir de 2,184 mg/mL; o ES apresentou aumento na viabilidade celular em todas as concentrações estudadas; os padrões D e G nas concentrações 1,3 e 1,5 µM respectivamente aumentou a viabilidade celular apenas para a linhagem MCF-7; resultado este não observado nas células SK-BR-3. Quanto aos ensaios de necrose e apoptose, encontramos que as duas linhagens celulares apresentaram marcação pelo IP a partir da concentração de 1,638 mg/mL do ESBF, enquanto que o ES e D+G não apresentaram marcação nas concentrações testadas. Somente para a linhagem MCF-7 encontramos no teste de anexina-V + IP apoptose precoce a partir da concentração 0,819 mg/mL e apoptose tardia/necrose a partir da concentração de 2,717 mg/mL frente ao ESBF, enquanto que frente ao ES e aos padrões D+G este resultado não foi observado. Utilizando apenas a linhagem MCF-7, com relação a detecção da caspase-3 íntegra, não foi possível visualizar sua presença a partir da concentração de 1,638 mg/mL do ESBF. Conclusão: Com este estudo verificamos que o ESBF favorece a indução a morte celular das linhagens MCF-7 e SK-BR-3, não acontecendo o mesmo com o ES e os padrões D+G. Nossos achados sugerem que componentes do fungo são os responsáveis por este efeito biológico, e não os metabólitos da soja, visto que os padrões de daidzeína e genisteína, bem como o ES, não apresentaram os resultados de morte celular evidenciados aqui. / Introduction: Isoflavones are compounds found in various vegetables and have different pharmacological effects. Among these compounds there are phytoestrogens, so called because they have actions that mimic the effects of natural estrogen on cells. Soybean (Glycine max), a plant rich in phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein, have been cited in the literature as an alternative therapy for menopause because this plant has estrogen activity. Since oestroprogestative therapy to treat the symptoms of this phase, has many collateral effects, like increased incidence of breast cancer. Objective: To evaluate the promotion of apoptosis and/or necrosis caused by an extract of soybean (Glycine max) biotransformed by the fungus Aspergillus awamori (ESBF) by cell lineage of estrogen-dependent (MCF-7) and estrogen-independent (SK- BR-3) breast adenocarcinoma. Materials and methods: ESBF was produced at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP / USP), with known concentration of daidzein (D) and genistein (G) by HPLC and subjected to two models of breast adenocarcinoma cells: estrogen- dependent (MCF-7) and estrogen-independent (SK-BR-3). In these experimental models were also evaluated, Soy Extract (ES) and the commercial standards of daidzein (D) and genistein (G) alone or in combination (D+G). In this study we evaluated all these compounds the following parameters: a) cytotoxicity by MTT method; b) necrosis and apoptosis assay by dialing propidium iodide (PI) and annexin-V + PI; c) the activity of caspase-3 by western blotting. Results: ESBF in cell line MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity starting from 2.184 mg/mL, the ES showed an increase in cell viability at all concentrations studed, D and G standards at concentrations of 1, 3 and 1.5 mM respectively increased cell viability only in line MCF-7, this result not observed in SK-BR-3. For the tests of necrosis and apoptosis, we found that that two cell lines presented labeling IP from the concentration of 1.638 mg/mL of ESBF, while the ES and D + G showed no labeling at all concentrations tested. Only line MCF-7 in the test of annexin-V + PI early apoptosis from the concentration 0.819 mg / mL and late apoptosis or necrosis from the concentration of 2.717 mg / mL against the ESBF, while facing the ES and D+G standards this result was not observed. Using only the cell line MCF-7 in assay to detection of caspase-3 intact, we could not see his presence from the concentration of 1.638 mg/mL ESBF. Conclusion: This study verified that the ESBF favors the induction of cell death in cell line MCF-7 and SK-BR-3, the same not happening with the ES and D+G standards. Our findings suggest that components of the fungus are responsible for this biological effect and not the soy metabolites, since the standards of daidzein and genistein, as well as the ES, the results showed no cell death.

Abstrakt Bakgrund: Medelålders och äldre män är en stor patientgrupp inom fysioterapi. Åldrande minskar kroppsliga nivåer av testosteron och tillväxthormon hos denna patientgrupp. Detta kan bidra till försämring av rörelseapparatens kapacitet. Det var därför relevant att kartlägga eventuella behandlingseffekter av testosteron och tillväxthormon på rörelseapparatens kapacitet.   Syfte: Kartlägga och sammanställa aktuell forskning gällande evidensen av hormonbehandling med enbart testosteron, eller en kombination av testosteron och tillväxthormon, på rörelseapparatens kapacitet hos medelålders och äldre män.   Metod: Litteratursökning genomfördes i databasen PubMed. Åtta artiklar inkluderades. Dessa kvalitetgranskades enligt PEDro scale, varefter evidensstyrkan bedömdes enligt SBU:s GRADE.   Resultat: Måttligt starkt vetenskapligt underlag för att behandling med testosteron har en förbättrande effekt på styrka och power. Begränsat vetenskapligt underlag för att behandling med testosteron har en förbättrande effekt på trappgång. Testosteron har ej någon förbättrande effekt på gångförmåga, men det vetenskapliga underlaget bedöms som otillräckligt. Otillräckligt vetenskapligt underlag för att testosteron och tillväxthormon har en förbättrande effekt på VO2-max.   Konklusion: Effekterna av hormonbehandling med testosteron och tillväxthormon varierar mellan enskilda delar av rörelseapparatens kapacitet hos medelålders och äldre män. Detta indikerar att fler studier med större deltagarantal är angeläget för att säkerställa effekterna av interventionen.   Nyckelord: Growth hormone, testosterone, hormone replacement therapy, physical function, elderly

O presente estudo visou avaliar os efeitos da administração de isoflavonas da soja (ISOs) sobre parâmetros bioquímicos e atividade imunológica em ratas ovariectomizadas. As ISOs foram administradas na apresentação não isolada nas doses de 100, 300 e 900 mg/kg, por gavage, durante 28 dias. Ao longo do tratamento foram avaliados o peso e o consumo de ração que evidenciaram efeito moderador na ingesta de alimentos e perda de peso com as maiores doses das ISOs. Foram avaliadas também a bioquímica sérica e urinária, que revelaram alteração do perfil lipídico (⇑ HDL) de forma dose-dependente, aumento de glicemia e diminuição de glicosúria, embora esta última não diferente estatisticamente do controle. No grupo de 900 mg/kg, o estresse oxidativo foi maior e caracterizado pelo aumento de glutationa oxidada (GSSG). No sistema imune foram avaliados diversos parâmetros, a saber: peso relativo de baço e timo e suas celularidades; celularidade de medula óssea; atividades de neutrófilos circulantes e macrófagos peritoneais; resposta imune do tipo tardia (DTH); fenotipagem de linfócitos T e B no sangue e baço e proliferação de linfócitos esplênicos em resposta a ConA e LPS. As maiores doses de ISOs causaram diminuição do peso absoluto do timo e aumento do peso relativo do baço, além de aumento da intensidade de fagocitose de macrófagos na dose de 900 mg/kg. Com a dose de 300 mg/kg de ISOs foi observado menor intensidade na fagocitose de neutrófilos. Assim, pode-se concluir que a utilização de ISOs, na apresentação não isolada, não induziu melhora no perfil lipídico, na proteção ao estresse oxidativo e nem alterou a capacidade de resposta do sistema imune de ratas ovariectomizadas, e, ainda, que a exposição a doses mais elevadas de ISOs apresenta potente efeito sobre a ingesta de alimentos, piora do perfil lipídico, aumento de glicemia e alteração na sinalização redox das células, portanto, futuros experimentos são necessários para melhor caracterizar os efeitos destas agliconas sobre o metabolismo dos lipídeos e também na proteção ao estresse oxidativo. / The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of administration of soybean isoflavones (ISOs) on biochemical and immunological parameters in ovariectomized rats. For this, the ISOs were administered in non-isolated presentation at doses of 100; 300 and 900 mg/kg by gavage for 28 days. Throughout the treatment, the body weight gain and feed intake were evaluated and higher doses of ISOs showed a moderating effect on food intake and weight loss. It were also evaluated the serum and urine biochemistry, which showed altered lipid profile (⇑ HDL), increase in blood glucose and decreased glycosuria in a dose-dependent fashion, although the latter is not statistically different from the control. In the group of 900 mg/kg, the oxidative stress was higher, characterized by increased in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels. In the immune system several parameters were evaluated, relative weight of thymus and spleen and their cellularity, bone marrow cellularity, neutrophils and peritoneal macrophages activity, delayed type immune response (DTH), T and B lymphocytes phenotyping in the blood and spleen and splenic lymphocyte proliferation in response to ConA and LPS. Higher doses of ISOs caused decreased in the absolute thymus weight and increase in relative spleen weight. In addition, the dose of 900 mg/kg increased the intensity of phagocytosis of macrophages. On the other hand, it was observed lower phagocytic activity of the neutrophils in the group of 300 mg/kg. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of ISOs in a non-isolated presentation did not induce an improvement in the lipid profile, in the cellular protection to oxidative stress and did not alter the immune response of ovariectomized rats; furthermore, the exposure to higher doses of ISOs has potent effect on food intake, worsening lipid profile, increased blood glucose and changes in redox signaling cells, so further experiments are needed to better characterize the effects of these aglycones on the metabolism of lipids and also in protecting the oxidative stress.