title: Age-related variations in the neuroendocrine control, more than impaired receptor sensitivity, cause the reduction in the GH-releasing activity of GHRPs in human aging.
abstract: The mechanisms underlying the reduction in the GH-releasing activity of GHRPs in aging are still unclear. Aim of our study was to verify in man whether age-related impairment of the neurohormonal control of GH secretion and/or receptor alterations are involved in the reduced GH response to GHRPs in aging. To this goal, in 16 normal elderly subjects (E, 66-81 yr) and 12 young controls (Y, 24-28 yr) we studied the effects of 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 micrograms/kg i.v. Hexarelin (HEX), a synthetic hexapeptide, or GHRH, as well as the interaction among HEX (2.0 micrograms/kg), GHRH (2.0 micrograms/kg) and arginine (ARG, 0.5 gr/kg) on GH secretion. In Y the GH response to increasing doses of HEX (1.0 vs. 2.0 vs. 3.0 micrograms/kg; AUC0;v-120 +/- SEM: 1728.4 +/- 406.4 vs. 2265.9 +/- 298.4 vs. 2934.3 +/- 482.2 micrograms/L/h, p < 0.05 for 1.0 vs. 2.0 micrograms/kg) and GHRH (649.6 +/- 111.4 vs. 792.2 +/- 117.6 vs. 1402.6 +/- 363.0 micrograms/L/h) showed a progressive increase. Two micrograms/kg HEX and 1 microgram/kg GHRH were the maximal effective doses. Similarly, in E the GH response to increasing doses of HEX (336.7 +/- 50.0 vs. 742.8 +/- 157.9 vs. 1205.1 +/- 178.1 micrograms/L/h, p < 0.05 for 1.0 vs. 2 micrograms/kg, p < 0.001 for 1.0 vs. 3.0 micrograms/kg and p < 0.03 for 2.0 vs. 3.0 micrograms/kg) and GHRH (183.8 +/- 27.3 vs. 260.9 +/- 17.3 vs. 356.1 +/- 46.3 micrograms/L/h, p < 0.005 for 1.0 vs. 3.0 micrograms/kg and p < 0.05 for 2.0 vs. 3.0 micrograms/kg) showed a progressive increase. In E the GH response to 3 micrograms/kg HEX or GHRH were clearly higher than those to 2 micrograms/kg. However, at each dose the GH responses to HEX or GHRH in E were lower (p < 0.05) than those in Y. In Y the GH response to HEX + GHRH was synergistical (4259.2 +/- 308.0 micrograms/L/h, p < 0.05). ARG strikingly potentiated the GHRH-induced GH rise (2640.8 +/- 273.6 micrograms/L/h, p < 0.01) but not the HEX-induced one (2371.7 +/- 387.2 micrograms/L/h) as well as the synergistical effect of HEX and GHRH (4009.1 +/- 360.8 micrograms/L/h). In E the GH response to HEX and GHRH was still synergistical (1947.7 +/- 306.0 micrograms/L/h, p < 0.05) but these responses were lower than those in young (p < 0.01). On the other hand, in E ARG restored the GH response to GHRH (1858.9 +/- 172.8 micrograms/L/h, p < 0.01) and even those to HEX (2069.5 +/- 528.7 micrograms/L/h, p < 0.01) and HEX + GHRH (4406.0 +/- 1079.2 micrograms/L/h, p < 0.05). Our present results indicate that the impairment of GHRP and GHRH receptor activity may have a role in the reduction of the somatotrope responsiveness in aging. However, the age-related reduction in the GH-releasing activity of GHRPs seems mainly dependent on age-related variations in the neural control, i.e. concomitant GHRH hypoactivity and somatostatinergic hyperactivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arvat
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Ceda
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Vito
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramunni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianotti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Broglio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deghenghi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ghigo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D009842:Oligopeptides; C086184:hexarelin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; D001120:Arginine