Endocrinology of anorexia of ageing.
Appetite and food intake decrease with normal ageing, predisposing to the development of under-nutrition. Under-nutrition is common in older people and has been implicated in the development and progression of chronic diseases commonly affecting the elderly, as well as in increasing mortality. An understanding of the factors that contribute to the physiological and pathological declines in food intake in older people is likely to aid in the development of effective forms of prevention and treatment. Ageing affects many of the endocrine factors involved in the control of appetite and feeding but few studies have been performed in humans to clarify these changes. Possible hormonal causes of the anorexia of ageing include increased activity of cholecystokinin, leptin and various cytokines and reduced activity of ghrelin and testosterone.
Chapman
Ian McPhee
IM
University of Adelaide Department of Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. ian.chapman@adelaide.edu.au
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000855:Anorexia; D001069:Appetite Regulation; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D054439:Ghrelin; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology
D000728:Androgens; D016207:Cytokines; D054439:Ghrelin; D006728:Hormones; D020738:Leptin; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D002766:Cholecystokinin