title: [Somatopause: the present state-of-art].
abstract: Somatopause is defined as the decline in the biological activity of the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis that occurs gradually in both sexes from young adulthood throughout life. Somatopause is postulated to contribute to human aging because aging-related changes in body composition, bone structure, physical performance, cardiovascular system functions, and increased morbidity and mortality resemble the clinical picture and complications of adult growth hormone deficiency. However, animal and some epidemiological studies failed to show that low production of GH and IGF-I is detrimental to survival and health quality. Moreover, despite clear benefits of GH and its secretagogues in patients with GH deficiency, clinical studies assessing the effects of their administration to otherwise healthy older persons have provided conflicting results. The purpose of this article is to review the present state of knowledge on the age-related changes in the GH-IGF-I axis activity and to discuss pros and cons of the use of GH and GH secretagogues in older subjects.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych i Farmakologii Klinicznej Katedry Farmakologii Slaskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krysiak
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kedzia
authors.forename: Bogusław
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Okopień
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001823:Body Composition; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002979:Climacteric / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone