Endurance Training and Age-Related Decline in Immune Function and Endocrine Function

Researchers writing in the medical journal Immunity and Ageing say that long-term endurance training has the potential to decelerate the age-related decline in immune function but not the deterioration in endocrine function.

Arai MH, Duarte AJ, Natale VM. The effects of long-term endurance training on the immune and endocrine systems of elderly men: the role of cytokines and anabolic hormones. Immun Ageing. 2006 Aug 25;3:9

From the article abstract:”highly conditioned elderly men seem to have relatively better preserved immune system than the sedentary elderly men. Long-term endurance training has the potential to decelerate the age-related decline in immune function but not the deterioration in endocrine function.”

Exercise

Researchers examine the role of exercise on anxiety, depression and quality of life in seniors

Writing in the medical journal Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, researchers sought to examine 46 sedentary seniors aged 60-75. The seniors were divided into two groups. One group began an aerobic exercise regiment, the other group (the control group) did not.

You May Need To Exercise More To Avoid Fat Accumulation Associated With Aging
Researchers publishing in the journal Clinical Nutrition say: “Cross-sectional data have shown that sarcopenia (age associated muscle loss) and fat accumulation are associated with aging and can be limited by structured physical training. However, it is often difficult to maintain a long-term compliance to training programs. It is not clear whether leisure-time physical activity is effective in preventing sarcopenia and fat accumulation.

Resistance Training Important for Aging Muscles and Tendons
Researchers writing the medical journal Experimental Physiology say that resistance training is not only good for preventing age-related loss of muscle but for tendons as well.

Exercise, Diabetes, Diabetes Risk
Researchers writing in the Medical Journal Diabetes Care say patients may need more convincing that exercise assists in diabetes management and diabetes risk management.

The Importance of Strength Training Exercises in Aging
Researchers writing in the medical journal Aging Clinical and Experimental Research say that “although aerobic exercise is important in maintaining overall health, the resistance type of muscle training may be more applicable to the basic rules of bone adaptation and site-specific effects of exercise, have more favorable effects in maintaining or improving bone mass and architecture, and be safe and feasible for older people.”

Strength Training and Nutritional Counseling Benefits In Women
Writing in the Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers noted that long-term strength training and nutritional counseling had positive effects of metabolic health indicators.

Exercise and Menopausal Symptoms
Researchers writing in the British Journal of General Practice say that their study “suggest(s) a positive association between somatic and psychological dimensions of health-related quality of life and participation in regular exercise. Women with BMI scores in the normal range reported lower vasomotor symptom scores and better health-related quality of life scores than heavier women.”

Exercise Frequency in Older Women
Researchers writing in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics say “older women who participate in an exercise program three times a week gain greater functional fitness benefits than those who exercise less frequently.”

Exercise Induced and Calorie Reduction Weight Loss
Researchers writing in the Journal of Applied Physiology say that caloric restriction (dieting) can lower extremity muscle size and strength. While weight loss due to exercise does not.

Endurance Training and Age-Related Decline in Immune Function and Endocrine Function.
Researchers writing in the medical journal Immunity and Ageing say that long-term endurance training has the potential to decelerate the age-related decline in immune function but not the deterioration in endocrine function.

Melatonin Research

Blood Pressure
Scheer FA, Van Montfrans GA, van Someren EJ, et al. Daily nighttime melatonin reduces blood pressure in male patients with essential hypertension. Hypertension 2004;43:192-7.

Study: Researchers sought to examine whether hypertension could be lowered by better sleep.

The researchers stated: “In patients with essential hypertension, repeated bedtime melatonin intake significantly reduced nocturnal blood pressure. Future studies in larger patient group should be performed to define the characteristics of the patients who would benefit most from melatonin intake. The present study suggests that support of circadian pacemaker function may provide a new strategy in the treatment of essential hypertension.”

Melatonin’s Beneficial Effects on Night-Time Blood Pressure and Women Aged 47 to 63
Researchers writing in the American Journal of Hypertension examined the question: “The nocturnal decline of blood pressure (BP) is almost coincident with the elevation of melatonin, which may exert vasodilatating and hypotensive effects. In this study we investigated whether prolonged nocturnal administration of melatonin could influence the daily rhythm of BP in women.”

How was the study conducted?
“In a randomized double-blind study, 18 women, 47 to 63 years of age (nine with normal blood pressure and nine being treated treated for essential hypertension) received a 3-week course of a slow-release melatonin pill (3 mg) or placebo 1 hour before going to bed. They were then crossed over to the other treatment for another 3 weeks.”

What did they conclude?
“In comparison with placebo, melatonin administration did not influence (daytime) BP but did significantly decrease nocturnal systolic, diastolic, and mean BP without modifying heart rate. The effect was inversely related to the day–night difference in BP…These data indicate that prolonged administration of melatonin may improve the day–night rhythm of BP, particularly in women with a blunted nocturnal decline.”

Cagnaccia A, Cannolettaa M, Renzia A, Baldassaria F, Aranginob S, Volpea A. Prolonged Melatonin Administration Decreases Nocturnal Blood Pressure in Women. American Journal of Hypertension. Volume 18, Issue 12, Pages 1614-1618

Immune Stimulation
Poon AM, Liu ZM, Pang CS, et al. Evidence for a direct action of melatonin on the immune system. Biol Signals. 1994 Mar-Apr;3(2):107-17.

From the abstract: “Pineal melatonin modulates the mammalian immune system. In vivo studies showed that melatonin enhanced the natural and acquired immunity while in vitro studies demonstrated its inhibitory influence.”

Melatonin, Immune Function and Aging
Researchers writing in the medical Journal Immunity & Aging say: (From the abstract) “Aging is associated with a decline in immune function (immunosenescence), a situation (sp) known to correlate with increased incidence of cancer, infections and degenerative diseases….Melatonin has the potential therapeutic value to enhance immune function in aged individuals and in patients in an immunocompromised state.”

Venkatramanujam Srinivasan, Georges J.M. Maestroni, Daniel P. Cardinali, Ana I. Esquifino, S. R. Pandi-Perumal and Sandra C. Miller. Melatonin, Immune Function and Aging. Immunity & Ageing 2005, 2:17

Read the abstract

Melatonin Randomized Trial for Insomnia in the Elderly
Nalaka S. Gooneratne, MD,MSc, Principal Investigator, University of Pennsylvania
Study start: October 2004; Expected completion: July 2007

From the study details “Melatonin is a hormone secreted predominantly during the sleep period, suspected to have a strong link to the circadian sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin is also available in a pill form and, when administered during the day, tends to have a sedative effect. Clinical trials that have examined the nocturnal effects of melatonin have focused on patients of any age who have insomnia, regardless of their endogenous melatonin levels. Data indicate, however, that individuals with low endogenous melatonin levels may be more responsive to exogenous melatonin. Generally, melatonin levels decrease with age; therefore, older individuals with insomnia represent an ideal population in which to study the effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep. This study will provide older adults with insomnia melatonin tablets to determine whether the tablets will increase their sleep.”

Read more about this current research

Melatonin and Alzheimer-like Neurodegeneration
Writing in the medical journal Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, researchers studied the effect of melatonin and cognitive impairment. They wrote: “Alzheimer disease (AD), an age-related neurodegenerative disorder with progressive loss of memory and deterioration of comprehensive cognition, is characterized by extracellular senile plaques of aggregated beta-amyloid (Abeta), and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles that contain hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Recent studies showed that melatonin, an indoleamine secreted by the pineal gland, may play an important role in aging and AD as an antioxidant and neuroprotector. Melatonin decreases during aging and patients with AD have a more profound reduction in this hormone. Data from clinical trials indicate that melatonin supplementation improves sleep, ameliorates sundowning, and slows down the progression of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer patients.” Wang JZ, Wang ZF. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2006 Jan;27(1):41-9.

Read the abstract here

Does Melatonin Protect Vision As We Age?
Researchers writing in the Journal of Pineal Research say that Melatonin maybe beneficial in preserving visual functions.

Excerpts from the study abstract:
“Current evidence suggests that melatonin may act as a protective agent in ocular conditions such as photo-keratitis, cataract, glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity and ischemia/reperfusion injury.

These diseases are sight-threatening and they currently remain, for the most part, untreatable. The pathogenesis of these conditions is not entirely clear but oxidative stress has been proposed as one of the causative factors.

Oxidative damage in the eye leads to apoptotic degeneration of retinal neurons and fluid accumulation. Retinal degeneration decreases visual sensitivity and even a small change in the fluid content of the cornea and crystalline lens is sufficient to disrupt ocular transparency. In the eye, melatonin is produced in the retina and in the ciliary body. Continuous regeneration of melatonin in the eye offers a frontier antioxidative defense for both the anterior and posterior eye.

However, melatonin production is minimal in newborns and its production gradually wanes in aging individuals as indicated by the large drop in circulating blood concentrations of (Melatonin).

These individuals are possibly at risk of contracting degenerative eye diseases that are free radical-based. Supplementation with melatonin, a potent antioxidant, in especially the aged population should be considered as a prophylaxis to preserve visual functions.”

Siu AW, Maldonado M, Sanchez-Hidalgo M, Tan DX, Reiter RJ. Protective effects of melatonin in experimental free radical-related ocular diseases. J Pineal Res. 2006 Mar;40(2):101-9.

DHEA Selected Research

Relationship between serum sex steroids and Aging Male Symptoms score and International Index of Erectile Function.
“CONCLUSIONS: Although aging male symptoms and the effects of hormonal changes on these symptoms have been controversial, DHEA-S and E(2) (Estradiol) might play some important roles in the symptoms of aging men.”

Basar MM, Aydin G, Mert HC, Keles I, Caglayan O, Orkun S, Batislam E. Relationship between serum sex steroids and Aging Male Symptoms score and International Index of Erectile Function. Urology. 2005 Sep;66(3):597-601.

Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment in the aging male–what should the urologist know?
“CONCLUSION: Although long-term clinical trials (applying the standards of evidence-based methods) are not available at present, the consistency of the data and the extensive practical experience may justify the use of DHEA in aging men given the rules of classical endocrinology are thoroughly followed including diagnosis based on clinical picture and biochemical evidence, compliance to periodic evaluations, and individual dose adjustment to maintain serum concentrations in the physiological range of young males. Being one among other important hormonal factors, DHEA can delay and correct age-related disorders only to a certain degree

Saad F, Hoesl CE, Oettel M, Fauteck JD, Rommler A. Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment in the aging male–what should the urologist know? Eur Urol. 2005 Nov;48(5):724-33; discussion 733. Epub 2005 Jul 18.

Effects of replacement dose of dehydroepiandrosterone in men and women of advancing age.
Morales AJ, Nolan JJ, Nelson JC, Yen SS. Effects of replacement dose of dehydroepiandrosterone in men and women of advancing age. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994 Jun;78(6):1360-7.

Study: The researchers sought to test the effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DS) replacement on aging.

Noted the researchers: “…observations together with improvement of physical and psychological well-being in both genders and the absence of side-effects constitute the first demonstration of novel effects of DHEA replacement in age-advanced men and women.”

Activation of immune function by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in age-advanced men.
Khorram O, Vu L, Yen SS. J Gerontol A. Activation of immune function by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in age-advanced men. Biol Sci Med Sci 1997 Jan;52(1):M1-7

Study: the researchers sought to study DHEA’s effect on the human immune system.

The researchers stated: “Administration of oral DHEA at a daily dose of 50 mg to age-advanced men with low serum DHEA-S levels significantly activated immune function. While extended studies are required, our findings suggest potential therapeutic benefits of DHEA in immunodeficient states.”

Coronary Disease
Dehydroepiandrosterone and coronary atherosclerosis
Herrington DM. Dehydroepiandrosterone and coronary atherosclerosis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1995 Dec 29;774:271-80.

Study: Researchers examined “Tissue culture, animal model, and epidemiologic studies.”

The researchers stated: (DHEA) may inhibit atherosclerosis through its potent antiproliferative effects. Data suggest that low plasma levels of DHEA may facilitate, and high levels may retard, the development of coronary atherosclerosis and coronary allograft vasculopathy.

Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits human platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo
Jesse RL, Loesser K, Eich DM, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits human platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1995 Dec 29;774:281-90.

Interperation: Researchers sought to measure the effects of DHEA’s cardioprotective actions.

The researchers noted: “Findings suggest that DHEA retards platelet aggregation in humans. Inhibition of platelet activity by DHEA may contribute to the putative antiatherogenic and cardioprotective effects of DHEA.”

Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment of midlife dysthymia
Schmidt PJ, Danaceau MA, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment of midlife dysthymia. Bloch M, Biol Psychiatry 1999 Jun 15;45(12):1533-41.

Study: The researchers noted a “significant response was seen after 3 weeks of treatment on 90 mg per day. The symptoms that improved most significantly were anhedonia, loss of energy, lack of motivation, emotional “numbness,” sadness, inability to cope, and worry. This pilot study suggests that dehydroepiandrosterone is an effective treatment for midlife-onset dysthymia.”

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increases production and release of Alzheimer’s amyloid precursor protein.
Danenboerg HD, Haring R, Fisher A, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increases production and release of Alzheimer’s amyloid precursor protein. Life Sci 1996;59(19):1651-7.

Study: The researchers noted: DHEA significantly declines with advanced age. “We propose that the age-associated decline in DHEA levels may be related to the pathological APP metabolism observed in Alzheimer’s disease.”

DHEA administration increases rapid eye movement sleep and EEG power in the sigma frequency range
Friess E, Trachsel L, Guldner J, et al. DHEA administration increases rapid eye movement sleep and EEG power in the sigma frequency range. Am J Physiol 1995 Jan;268(1 Pt 1):E107-13.

Study: “Investigated was the effects of a single oral dose of DHEA (500 mg) on sleep stages, sleep stage-specific electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra, and concurrent hormone secretion in 10 healthy young men. DHEA administration induced a significant increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, whereas all other sleep variables remained unchanged compared with the placebo condition. Because REM sleep has been implicated in memory storage, its augmentation in the present study suggests the potential clinical usefulness of DHEA in age-related dementia.”

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment of depression
Wolkowitz OM, Reus VI, Roberts E, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment of depression. Biol Psychiatry 1997 Feb 1;41(3):311-8

Study: Researchers looked at “six middle-aged and elderly patients with major depression,” and increased their DHEA levels to those “observed in younger healthy individuals.”

The researchers said: “Depression ratings, as well as aspects of memory performance significantly improved. These preliminary data suggest DHEA may have antidepressant and pro-memory effects and should encourage double-blind trials in depressed patients.”

Inflammatory Disease
van Vollenhoven RF, Morabito LM, Engleman EG, et al. Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus with dehydroepiandrosterone: 50 patients treated up to 12 months. J Rheumatol 1998 Feb;25(2):285-9

Study: Researchers study whether long-term therapy (up to 1 year) with DHEA is beneficial in patients with mild to moderate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The researchers stated: “DHEA was well tolerated and appeared clinically beneficial, with the benefits sustained for at least one year in those patients who maintained therapy.”

Menopausal
Genazzani AD, Stomati M, Strucchi C, et al. Oral dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation modulates spontaneous and growth hormone-releasing hormone-induced growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion in early and late postmenopausal women. Fertil Steril 2001 Aug;76(2):241-8.

Study: The researchers sought to see if DHEA effected lean and obese post-menopausal women differently. The results suggested that lean and obese women benefitted equally.

The researchers noted: “This suggests that DHEA is more than a more than a simple “diet supplement” or “anti-aging product”; rather it should be considered an effective hormonal replacement treatment.”

Abdominal Fat
Effect of DHEA on abdominal fat and insulin action in elderly women and men: a randomized controlled trial.

Villareal DT, Holloszy JO. Effect of DHEA on abdominal fat and insulin action in elderly women and men: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2004 Nov 10;292(18):2243-8.

“CONCLUSION: DHEA replacement could play a role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity.”

DHEA, Bone Mineral Density, Older Adults
Researchers writing in the medical journal The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, say that DHEA replacement therapy for one year improved hip Bone Mineral Density in older adults and spine Bone Mineral Density in older women.

DHEA What is It?
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