title: Functional unity of the thymus and pineal gland and study of the mechanisms of aging.
abstract: The data on the morphology and functions of the thymus and pineal gland in individuals of different age are analyzed and common mechanisms of involution of these organs during aging and the consequencies of this process are discussed. Based on the data on the molecular changes in the thymus and pineal gland during aging, the authors hypothesize the functional unity of these organs and their mutual complementarity in the maintenance of normal immune and endocrine status during aging.
authors.affiliation: St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, North Western Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russia.
authors.forename: V O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Polyakova
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Linkova
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Kvetnoy
authors.forename: V Kh
authors.initials: VKh
authors.lastname: Khavinson
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D008550:Melatonin