Somatopause: state of the art.
Aging is associated with decay in the somatotroph axis, that has been considered to cause many of the catabolic sequelae of normal aging. The physiological changes that the human body undergoes during aging are similar to those observed in GH deficiency (GHD). Changes of aging are represented by increased fat mass, increased cardiovascular risk, reduced muscle mass, reduced exercise tolerance, decreased strength and impaired quality of life. Some authors conjecture that the elderly could be GH deficient and would benefit from GH treatment. However, the endocrine pattern of aging is distinct from the decrease of GH/IGF-I levels associated with hypopituitarism, although there is not sufficient evidence for a clear therapeutic role of GH treatment during somatopause. So, further studies are needed to evaluate the real benefit of somatotropic treatment in aging. This review is focused on the effects of the somatopause and summarize the potentials for a therapeutic role of the recombinant human GH (rhGH) or of GH secretagogues in aging.
IRCCS SDN Fondazione Napoli, Naples, Italy. cdisomma@unina.it
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Di Somma
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Brunelli
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MC
Savanelli
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E
Scarano
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Savastano
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Lombardi
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Colao
D050154:Adiposity; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001823:Body Composition; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008136:Longevity; D011788:Quality of Life
D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone