Light Stimulation of Luteinizing Hormone

描述(申请人提供)：来自我们实验室的令人兴奋的最新数据显示，强光刺激黄体生成素(黄体生成素，促黄体生成素)的分泌，这是一种调节睾酮、雌激素产生和排卵的脑下垂体激素。这一发现的基本科学意义可能是光周期机制在人类中是活跃的。从0500到0600，每天一小时的强光刺激会使年轻男性的尿液黄体生成素(LH)排泄量增加69.5%。有可能结合正在进行的研究来复制和推广这些发现。研究人员目前正在用三种方案测试强光效应：A)18-30岁和60-75岁成年人的昼夜节律相位反应曲线的研究；B)60-79岁抑郁症患者的强光临床试验；以及C)经前焦虑症患者和正常对照组的夜间和清晨光刺激的研究。对于这个项目，已经为这三个方案收集的8792个尿样将使用放射免疫分析法进行黄体生成素检测。在每项研究中，将在强光治疗前后测量24小时尿黄体生成素排泄量。将对结果进行分析，以确定一天中光刺激黄体生成素的最佳时间，比较年轻男性和经期女性与老年男性和更年期女性的反应性，并考虑黄体生成素反应与基线抑郁分级和抑郁症状缓解的关系。对黄体生成素的强光效应最终可能有助于增加男性的睾丸素，刺激女性的排卵，调节青春期、月经初潮和更年期，并减少情绪障碍、心脏病和癌症的内分泌风险因素。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Exciting recent data from our laboratory show that bright light stimulates secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH, lutropin), the pituitary hormone which regulates testosterone, estrogen production and ovulation. The basic science significance of the finding may be that photoperiodic mechanisms are active in humans. One hour of bright light stimulation per day from 0500-0600 produced a 69.5 percent increase in urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) excretion in young men. It is possible to replicate and extend these findings in conjunction with ongoing studies. The investigators are currently testing bright light effects in three protocols: A) a study of circadian phase response curves in adults ages 18-30 and 60-75, B) a clinical trial of bright light for depressed patients 60-79, and C) a study of early-night versus early-morning light stimulation in patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and normal controls. For this project, 8792 urine samples already being collected for these three protocols will be assayed for LH, using radioimmunoassay. In each study, 24-hour urinary LH excretion will be measured both before and after bright light treatment. Results will be analyzed to determine the optimal times of day for light stimulation of LH, to compare the responsiveness of young men and menstruating women versus older men and menopausal women, and to consider the relationship of LH response to baseline depression ratings and to remission of depressive symptoms. Bright light effects on LH may ultimately be useful for augmenting testosterone in men and for stimulating ovulation in women, for regulating puberty, menarche and menopause, and for reducing endocrine risk factors for mood disorders, heart disease, and cancer.