Androgen dependence

Introduction Androgen dependence is more common in androgen-dependent prostate cancer. Androgen is produced by the testes, so some people call the androgen "male hormones." Although both androgens are present in both men and women, men are the most representative. In addition, the adrenal cortex and ovary can also secrete a small amount of androgen. After the male child enters puberty, the testicle begins to secrete androgen to promote the development of the reproductive organs, secondary sexual characteristics and sexual home and sexual desire. Androgens also stimulate appetite, promote protein synthesis, and reduce urinary nitrogen excretion. Clinical studies have found that the imbalance between androgen regulation is directly related to the onset.

Cause

Androgen dependent cause

The metabolic activities of normal human androgen are in a state of equilibrium. The regulation of androgen imbalance may have a certain impact on the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Clinical studies have found that the imbalance between androgen imbalance is directly related to the onset of illness; Eunuchs have never been found to have prostate cancer. Some athletes take synthetic steroids. Prostate cancer can occur at a younger age. Men with high-fat diet, plasma and prostate have higher levels of androgen, and the incidence of prostate cancer. The rate is high, and androgen-dependent prostate cancer is treated with androgen antagonistic therapy, which is effective in 80% of patients at the beginning.

an examination

Related inspection

Sex hormone binding protein

Androgen-dependent examination

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a significantly increased androgen receptor than cancerous tissues, and actively ingests testosterone in vitro, indicating that HCC is an androgen-dependent tumor, so the incidence of males is higher than that of females. Androgens can also cause cancer in humans. Hepatocellular carcinoma has been reported to occur after androgen administration. Even liver tumors associated with oral estrogen contraceptives may be related to androgens because the progestogens used are generally 17 substituted testosterone derivatives. Liver tumors caused by oral contraceptives are usually benign (adenomas) and their main hazard is bleeding. Androgens also play a role in the pathogenesis of certain breast tumors.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common tumor of the male genitourinary system, and its incidence rate is not only the highest in Europe and the United States, but also the incidence rate in China is also significantly rising. In the early stage, hormone-dependent prostate cancer (HDPC) can achieve the goal of reducing the tumor and lowering the blood PSA through endocrine therapy, but gradually evolves into hormone-independent prostate cancer (HIPC) after 1 to 2 years of treatment, leading to the final outcome of the patient. Died from extensive metastasis of hormone-insensitive cells. In order to explain this biological phenomenon and find a theoretical basis for the breakthrough of PCa clinical treatment, a large number of studies have been carried out on the mechanism of PCa hormone sensitivity in academia, and such as clonal selection theory, cancer cell adaptation theory, signal transduction pathway A variety of speculations such as changing doctrine and androgen receptor (AR) variant theory. However, with the deepening of relevant research, the first two theories have gradually faded out of the researcher's field of vision due to the lack of important experimental evidence. On the contrary, AR and its signal transduction pathways have gradually become the main research direction in this field. Many important conclusions.

Differential diagnosis

Androgen-dependent confusing symptoms:

The hormones in men and women are different. Women are estrogen and men are androgens.

The effect of androgen on men

1. Determine the differentiation of the genitals: Androgen can differentiate the external genitalia into penis. If the androgen is stimulated during the embryonic period, the genital genitalia will be transformed into a female type.

2. Stimulate the development of male sexual organs and keep them in a mature state. The development of the penis, prostate, and seminal vesicles requires stimulation of androgens. Therefore, some people with testicular dysplasia need long-term supplementation of testosterone in order to maintain the body and function of men.

3. Promote and maintain sexual function: Men's sexual desire, sexual excitement and erection ability require androgen as a driving force. If testosterone is reduced and disappears due to testicular disease and injury, it will lose the requirement for sexual activity and erectile function.

4. Stimulate and maintain the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics: Under the action of androgen, men will have a larynx during puberty, thickened vocal cords and low voice, pubic hair, mane and beard growth, thick bones, muscular, showing men Masculinity. Conversely, due to testicular dysplasia and lack of androgen, these characteristics will be lost and the "sissy" will appear.

5. Promote sperm production: Sperm is produced in the seminiferous tubules in the testes. According to the study, the testosterone concentration in the seminiferous tubules is 100 times higher than in the blood, and they remain in the tube in the form of protein binding and function. Therefore, if the testosterone concentration is low, the spermatogenic function will be significantly reduced.

6. Promote protein synthesis: Muscle and bone growth require protein synthesis. Androgen can promote the balance of positive nitrogen metabolism in the body, so it has the function of promoting protein synthesis.

The role of androgen in women

Androgen is an important sex hormone in women, and its important role in women has been described in detail in recent years. Androgens in women are mainly secreted by the adrenal cortex and ovaries. In addition, androstenedione, an intermediate product of ovarian synthetic estrogen, can also be converted to androgen-anthrone in peripheral tissues.

The role of androgens in women includes the following aspects.

1, androgen is a precursor of synthetic estrogen, so the promotion of female sputum synthesis is the main function of androgen in women.

2. Maintain normal reproductive function in women.

3, to maintain the normal development of female pubic hair, mane, muscle and body.

4, girls grow rapidly in adolescence, but also the effects of androgen.

However, if the androgen is secreted in women, androgen can inhibit the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, and it has anti-estrogen effects, which can inhibit ovarian function and amenorrhea, and even masculine performance. . At the same time, it will cause endocrine disorders, causing symptoms such as acne and hairiness.

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