The pituitary: aging and spaceflown rats.
Decrements in growth hormone (GH) release we observed in two spaceflight experiments and four tail-suspended rat studies mimic age-associated changes in the mammalian pituitary GH system seen by Meites and others. The spaceflight data suggest that formation of high molecular weight bioactive disulfide-linked aggregates of the 20 and 22K monomeric GH forms may be reduced in microgravity, thereby, reducing target tissue activity. Correlative studies to confirm spaceflight as a model for pituitary GH system aging should include: 1) investigation of mechanisms of intracellular hormone packaging, 2) consequences to biological activity of the hormone molecule, and 3) study of intracellular microtubule dynamics.
Hymer
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WC
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
Grindeland
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RE
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D013026:Space Flight; D014893:Weightlessness / Q000009:adverse effects
D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary