• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.9
• /
• pp.1063-1073
• /
• 2016

Male climacteric syndrome, andropause, or testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is one of the new health issues in elderly men. It is a natural phenomenon that happens with age in men, which is clinically characterized by a decline in levels of serum testosterone resulting in a significantly decreasing of physical and mental activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative alleviative effects of dandelion extract on the symptoms of TDS by increasing serum testosterone levels and compare the efficacy between dandelion extract (DE) and fermented dandelion extract (FDE). After daily intake of DE and FDE for 4 weeks, serum testosterone levels, muscles of vastus lateralis, forced swimming time, total sperm counts, and motile sperm counts were significantly increased in older rats (22 weeks). Additionally, SHBG, epididymal fat pad, total serum cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased in DE and FDE fed groups. However, PSA levels were not different among all groups. Furthermore, DE and FDE enhanced the expression of genes related to testosterone biosynthesis in TM3 Leydig cells. Overall, these positive effects on andropause were greater in FDE compared to DE. These results suggest the potential of FDE as a safe and efficacious natural material for recovering testosterone levels and reducing andropause symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.7
• /
• pp.790-800
• /
• 2017

As men get older, total testosterone levels decline gradually, and concentrations of free and bioavailable testosterone decline sharply with each decade beyond their 30s. Andropause or testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is defined as a decrease in sexual satisfaction or decline in general well-being accompanied by low levels of testosterone in older men. This male climacteric is characterized by nervousness, reduced potency, decreased libido, irritability, fatigue, depression, memory problems, sleep disturbances, and hot flushes. Cirsium japonicum (CJ) is used as a traditional medicine for hemorrhage, blood congestion, and inflammation in Korea. However, there is no report on the efficacy of CJ treatment for TDS. In this study, we observed the mitigating effect of CJ extract (CE) and fermented CJ extract (FCE) on symptoms of TDS. In elderly male rats, total and testosterone levels, hind limbs muscles, forced swimming time, and total and motile sperm counts significantly increased after daily intake of CE and FCE for 6 weeks. In contrast, sex hormone binding globulin, retroperitoneal fat, total serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in CE and FCE groups. However, there was no difference in prostate specific antigen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels among all groups, which means CE and FCE did not have putative adverse effects. In a cell experiment, we also observed that CE and FCE enhanced expression of genes related to testosterone biosynthesis but reduced genes involved in testosterone conversion. On the whole, these positive effects on TDS were greater in FCE compared to CE. Thus, these results suggest the potential of FCE as a promising natural product for recovering testosterone levels and alleviating TDS.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.483-493
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine late-onset hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, depression, and quality of life among middle-aged male workers. Methods: The subjects included 343 men aged between 40 and 64, responded to self-report questionnaires on general characteristics, late-onset hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, depression, and quality of life. Data were collected from May 16, 2012 to October 9, 2012 and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, $x^2$-test, hierarchical multiple regression. Result: The prevalence rate of late-onset hypogonadism was 63.8% with high points in reduction of libido, energy, physical strength and endurance, and erectile function. There were significant differences in late-onset hypogonadism according to age($x^2$=8.98, p=.048) and in erectile dysfunction according to age(F=11.03, p<.001), monthly income(F=2.84, p=.024) and smoking( t=2.96, p=.018). Significant differences were also found in depression according to educational level(F=8.12, p<.001) and in quality of life according to monthly income(F=7.21, p<.001). The factors which influenced quality of life were late-onset hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, depression, marital status and religion. Conclusion: Symptoms of erectile dysfunction can be improved by smoking cessation education program. In order to improve the life quality of middle-aged men, nursing intervention programs that would both provide proper knowledge on climacteric syndrome and alleviate symptoms should be designed while, at the same time, other programs to evaluate, prevent and control depression are developed.