Differential effects of aging on neuroendocrine responses to physostigmine in normal men.
We assessed the effects of age on cholinergic regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and other neuroendocrine systems by measuring the plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin responses to an infusion of the centrally active cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine (0.0125 mg/kg) in 12 healthy older men (68 +/- 1.7 yr) and 9 healthy young men (25 +/- 1.4 yr). We also measured the responses to physostigmine of plasma GH, arginine vasopressin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine (NE). As estimated by comparing calculated areas under the curve, older subjects had greater cortisol (P = 0.02) and beta-endorphin (P less than 0.01) secretory responses, but a reduced GH (P less than 0.01) secretory response. The arginine vasopressin response did not differ between groups. By analysis of variance, older subjects also had a greater epinephrine response (P = 0.01). Older subjects had higher basal NE concentrations (P less than 0.05), but NE responses to physostigmine did not differ between groups. These findings suggest age-related enhancement of the cholinergic stimulatory regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and adrenal medulla. They also confirm previous reports of reduced GH secretory response with aging in normal men.
Raskind
M A
MA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
Peskind
E R
ER
Veith
R C
RC
Wilkinson
C W
CW
Federighi
D
D
Dorsa
D M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000097:blood; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D010830:Physostigmine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine