Non-Reproductive Actions of Sex Steroids
Non-Reproductive Actions of Sex Steroids Books
Product Description
Sex steroids have a number of physiological effects in addition to their classical sex-correlated roles. This book brings together clinicians and basic researchers from a number of disciplines to discuss the non-reproductive actions of sex steroids. In many instances, sex steroids mediate the expression of a variety of genes by influencing the activity of intracellular receptors, which in turn bind to hormone response elements in the promoters of hormone-regulated genes. Direct membrane-mediated effects have also been described. Sex steroids have numerous effects on the brain, and although many of these are directed to neural functions underlying reproduction, others are more broadly correlated to brain function. Among these are effects on cognitive function, motor coordination (high levels of oestrogen aggravate symptoms of Parkinsons disease), depressive illness and dementia (oestrogen has been shown to improve cognitive function in Alzheimers disease patients). Neurosteroids also have an vital role in nerve repair. The protective role of oestrogen hostile to cardiovascular disease in women is widely documented: the means behind this cardioprotective effect is discussed. The incidence of autoimmune disease is higher in women than in men, and oestradiol appears to aggravate the symptoms of many of these diseases, with the exception of rheumatoid arthritis, where oestrogen suppresses symptoms. The effects of sex steroids on the immune system are therefore covered in the book. Sex steroids have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several types of cancers. Synthetic steroid antagonists, such as tamoxifen, have been widely studied as therapeutic agents for hormone-dependent cancers. Hormone substitution therapy (HRT) has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects. In particular, HRT reduces postmenopausal demineralization of bone, thus slowing the advance of osteoporosis. Protective effects of HRT on cardiovascular disease have also been reported. The advantages and disadvantages of HRT therefore form a major topic of discussion in the book.
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