Clinical endocrinology
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Clinical endocrinology · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialRandomized placebo-controlled trial of testosterone replacement in men with mild Leydig cell insufficiency following cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Testosterone deficiency is associated with significant morbidity, and androgen replacement in overt hypogonadism is clearly beneficial. However, there are few data concerning the response to therapy in young men with mild testosterone deficiency. ⋯ These results suggest that testosterone therapy in young men with raised LH levels and low/normal testosterone levels does not result in significant changes in BMD, body composition, lipids or quality of life, apart from a reduction in physical fatigue and a small reduction in LDL cholesterol. This implies that mild hypogonadism defined on this basis is not of clinical importance in the majority of men, and that androgen replacement cannot be recommended for routine use in these patients.
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Clinical endocrinology · Mar 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialInfluence of melatonin administration on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity of postmenopausal women.
The effect of melatonin on human carbohydrate metabolism is not yet clear. We investigated whether melatonin influences glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in aged women. ⋯ The present results indicate that in aged women administration of 1 mg of melatonin reduces glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. The present data may have both physiological and clinical implications.
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Clinical endocrinology · Nov 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialComparison of octreotide acetate LAR and lanreotide SR in patients with acromegaly.
The most effective option for the medical treatment of patients with acromegaly is the use of somatostatin analogues. Long-acting depot formulations for intramuscular injection of two somatostatin analogues have recently become available: octreotide acetate LAR (Sandostatin LAR, Novartis Pharma AG) and lanreotide SR (Somatuline, Ipsen Biotech). We wished to compare efficacy of octreotide LAR and lanreotide SR in acromegalic patients. ⋯ Octreotide LAR 20 mg administered once monthly was more effective than lanreotide SR 30 mg administered 2 or 3 times monthly in reducing GH and IGF-I in patients with acromegaly.
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Clinical endocrinology · Jul 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of growth hormone replacement on physical performance and body composition in GH deficient adults.
Adults with GH deficiency complain frequently of low energy levels resulting in a low perceived quality of life. Body composition is altered, with increased fat mass and decreased lean body mass, and muscle strength is reduced. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of GH replacement on physical performance and body composition in GH deficient (GHD) adults. ⋯ Our data show that GH replacement in GH deficient adults is associated with favourable changes in body composition, which could be important in the long term health outcome and physical activity of GH deficient patients. Our data support the concept that GH therapy alone, in the absence of some form of exercise programme, may increase the amount of lean tissue but not the quality or functional capacity of this tissue and it may be that training, in addition to GH therapy, may be necessary to significantly increase physical performance in these patients. We suggest that future trials with GH therapy and general approaches to the treatment of GH deficiency should include a planned activity programme as an approach to health improvement in these patients.
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Clinical endocrinology · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialBright light exposure and pituitary hormone secretion.
Exposure to bright light inhibits melatonin secretion in man. As the relationship between melatonin and pituitary function remains controversial, we investigated the effect of altering the melatonin rhythm by bright light during the early hours of darkness on pituitary hormone secretion in man. ⋯ Exposure to bright light during the early hours of darkness delays the nocturnal melatonin peak and alters cortisol, GH, PRL and nocturnal vasopressin secretion, while modification of the sleep pattern decreases vasopressin concentrations and alters its nocturnal peak.