Hot flushes in healthy aging men differ from those in men with prostate cancer and in menopausal women

Abstract

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) seems to be involved in hot flushes in women and in castrated men. Therefore, we studied whether the plasma concentrations of CGRP changed during flushes in a group of healthy aging men. Twelve men (49–71 years) with no history of current or former prostate cancer or hormonal treatment reporting ≥20 flushes/week were investigated. Blood samples were drawn during and between flushes for analysis of CGRP and also androgen concentrations, that is, testosterone and bioavailable testosterone were analysed. Skin temperature and skin conductance were monitored. Thirty-five flushes were reported by 10 men. The plasma concentrations of CGRP did not increase during flushes. No significant change in skin temperature or conductance was found. CGRP is probably not involved in the mechanisms of flushes in healthy aging men. Therefore, flushes in aging healthy men seem to be different from flushes in men and women deprived of sex steroids where CGRP increases during flushes.

Keywords::

• Calcitonin gene-related peptide
• climacteric
• hot flashes
• men

Acknowledgement

We are indebted to the Lions Foundation and the Swedish Medical Research Council, grant no K2000-72X-12651-04B.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest.