[Hormone replacement Up-to-date. Ghrelin, growth hormone and somatopause].
Age-related decreases in energy expenditure and physical activity have been associated with the loss of skeletal muscle and decline of food intake, possibly through a mechanism involving changes of growth hormone secretion and feeding behavior. Age-related declines of growth hormone secretion and food intake have been termed the somatopause and anorexia of aging, respectively. Ghrelin was isolated from human and rat stomachs as an endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Ghrelin stimulates growth hormone release and food intake when peripherally administered to humans. Plasma ghrelin concentration is decreased with age. Therefore, age-related decline of ghrelin secretion may cause the somatopause and anorexia of aging. Ghrelin replacement may suppress these aging processes.
Toshinai
Koji
K
University of Miyazaki, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Respirology, Division of Neurology, Japan.
Nakazato
Masamitsu
M
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000855:Anorexia / Q000503:physiopathology; D054439:Ghrelin; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000502:physiology*
D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D013006:Growth Hormone