Growth hormone, menopause and ageing: no definite evidence for 'rejuvenation' with growth hormone.
BACKGROUND
Estrogens regulate growth hormone (GH) secretion and modulate the tissue responsiveness to GH. After the menopause, and during ageing, a decline in GH secretion (somatopause) is physiologically observed. This article (i) provides a brief overview of the different regulators of GH secretion, (ii) reviews the mechanisms involved in age-related changes in GH concentrations, with particular emphasis on the interrelationships between menopause and GH, and (iii) discusses the interventions aimed at the restoration of GH and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) circulating levels.


METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed database using the search terms 'Growth Hormone', 'Somatopause' and 'Menopause'. The search included full English articles covering the period 1972-2008. We selected 234 relevant citations. We also included three chapters from books.


RESULTS
Estrogen deficiency may contribute, through its action on GH, to the complex physical and metabolic alterations of menopause. Several attempts have been made to restore the GH and IGF-1 levels within the young adult range.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no definite evidence that elderly subjects really benefit from treatment with GH or GH secretagogues. Strategies aimed at enhancing spontaneous GH secretion such as sleep and exercise are safer and certainly less expensive than GH supplementation regimen.
Fanciulli
Giuseppe
G
Dipartimento-Struttura Clinica Medica-Patologia Speciale Medica, Istituto di Clinica Medica, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
Delitala
Alessandro
A
Delitala
Giuseppe
G
D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D001823:Body Composition; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology
D004967:Estrogens; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone