The stiffness of the construct, along with the difference in moment that allows a 3-mm gap formation, suggests that the addition of a humeral interference screw is potentially beneficial. Further research in a healing model will help clarify this benefit.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHCT) is an accepted strategy for various hematologic malignancies that can lead to functional impairment, fatigue, muscle wasting, and reduced quality of life (QOL). In cancer cachexia, these symptoms are associated with inflammation, hypermetabolism, and decreased anabolic hormones. The relative significance of these factors soon after AHCT setting is unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize the acute effects of AHCT on physical function, body composition, QOL, energy expenditure, cytokines, and testosterone. Outcomes were assessed before (PRE) and 30 ± 10 days after (FU) AHCT in patients with multiple myeloma (n = 15) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 6). Six-minute walk test (6MWT; p = 0.014), lean mass (p = 0.002), and fat mass (p = 0.02) decreased; nausea and fatigue increased at FU (both p = 0.039). Recent weight change and steroid exposure were predictors of reduced aerobic capacity (p < 0.001). There were no significant changes in interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), energy expenditure, or bioavailable testosterone. Alterations in cytokines, energy expenditure, and testosterone were not associated with functional impairment acutely following AHCT. Recent history of weight loss and steroid exposure were predictors of worse physical function after AHCT, suggesting that targeting nutritional status and myopathy may be viable strategies to mitigate these effects.

Elderly subjects are predisposed to intrarenal renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) activation, which increases the risk for hypertension, kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The prorenin receptor (PRR), a component of the RAS that enhances the activity of renin and fully activates prorenin, is upregulated in the kidney in hypertensive rodent models. PRR possesses two molecular forms, a cell membrane bound and a soluble form (sPRR). Levels of sPRR in plasma are elevated in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, preeclampsia, diabetes, and CKD. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that age increases plasma sPRR, blood pressure, and renal function in mice. We used male and female C57Bl/J6 mice distributed in 4 groups according with age (months, m) and sex (♂/♀) as follows: 1) 4–6 m, N=8/5; 2) 8–10 m, N=8/7; 3) 15–19 m, N=12/7; and 4) +20 m, N=9/7. Systolic blood pressures (SBP, mm Hg) measured by the tail cuff method were increased in male mice in 15–19 m (118±1.9) and +20 m (129±2.9) groups, compared to 4–6 m (103.0±1.8) and 8–10 m (105.0±1.6); p<.0001). No significant changes in SBP were observed in females. SBP positively correlated with age in male mice only (r=0.669; p=0.001). Plasma sPRR levels measured by ELISA (IBL America, Inc) did not differ between male and female young mice (10 m or younger). However, plasma sPRR levels were significantly higher in male mice of 15–19 m (3.8±0.2 ng/ml) and even greater in older mice (+20 m: 4.9±0.4 ng/ml), compared to 4–6 m (1.8±0.2 ng/ml) and 8–10 m (1.8±0.1 ng/ml) (p<.001). In contrast, only female mice older than 20 m of age showed significant increased plasma sPRR (4.3±0.1 ng/ml) compared to younger mice (p=0.03). Interestingly, plasma sPRR was positively correlated with SBP (r=0.602, p=0.02) in males but not in females. No differences were found in plasma and urine creatinine, osmolality, and BUN, or in urinary sodium concentration and proteinuria among groups. We conclude that: 1) Age positively correlates with SBP in male mice but not in females; 2) Plasma sPRR levels increase with age in male and female mice; and 3) Plasma sPRR levels are associated with SBP in aged males but not in female mice. The data suggests that age‐associated increases in plasma levels of sPRR and SBP are more sensitive to advanced age in male than in female C57Bl/6J mice. Further studies are needed to define whether hormone effects on plasma sPRR and SBP are independent or not of age.Support or Funding InformationSupport from NIH‐NIDDK (R01DK104375) to MCP; NIH‐NIA (R01AG047296) to RMThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Background: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is associated with sexual dysfunction and hypogonadism. Androgens are associated with sexual function in healthy men, but the role of estrogens is less well-known, and the association of these sex steroids with sexual function during AHSCT has not been characterized. Objectives:The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of sex hormones before and acutely after AHSCT on sexual function recovery. Materials and methods: We examined sex hormones and self-reported sexual function before (PRE) and 1-month post-AHSCT (MONTH1; n = 19), and sexual function again 1-year post-AHSCT in men (YEAR1; n = 15). Results: Sexual function decreased from PRE to MONTH1 (p ≤ 0.05) with no differences between PRE and YEAR1. Erectile dysfunction was prevalent at PRE (68.4%) and increased at MONTH1 (100%; p ≤ 0.05) but was not different between PRE and YEAR1 (60.0%). From PRE to MONTH1, total testosterone (TT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) increased (p ≤ 0.02) while estradiol (p ≤ 0.026) and estrone decreased (p ≤ 0.001). MONTH1 TT and DHT were associated with sexual function at MONTH1, while PRE SHBG, MONTH1 estradiol, and change in estrone predicted sexual function at YEAR1. Discussion: Sexual dysfunction is very prevalent prior to AHSCT and is transiently and severely worsened acutely after. AHSCT induces acute decreases in total and free estrogens, with SHBG increases leading to increases in total androgens, without changes in free androgens. Conclusion:Androgens and estrogens are both adversely affected by AHSCT but may predict sexual dysfunction in this population. This supports the premise that estrogen impacts sexual function independent from androgens and that steroid hormones are associated with acute changes in sexual function in this setting. Larger, controlled trials