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The somatopause: should growth hormone deficiency in older people Be treated?

Lieberman SA - Clin Geriatr Med - 1997 Nov; 13(4): 671-84
From NIH/NLM MEDLINE, HealthSTAR

NLM Citation ID:
98022838

Full Source Title:
Clinics in Geriatric Medicine

Publication Type:
Journal Article; Review; Review, Tutorial

Language:
English

Author Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.

Authors:
Lieberman SA; Hoffman AR

Number of References:
47

Abstract:
Secretion of growth hormone (GH) by the pituitary gland progressively declines beginning in early adult life, a phenomenon which is termed "the somatopause." The observation that many of the changes which occur with advancing age are opposite to the physiologic effects of GH suggests that declining levels of GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), the mediator of many of the actions of GH, may be responsible for some of these changes. This article reviews the current understanding of mechanisms underlying the somatopause, the changes of aging which may result from diminished activity of the GH-IGF-I axis, the evidence which suggests that GH "replacement therapy" may reverse these changes, and the risks of treating somatopause with GH replacement.

Major Subjects: Aging / * Physiology Pituitary Gland / * Secretion Somatropin / * Deficiency / Secretion / Therapeutic Use

Additional Subjects:

Adult Aged Body Composition Female Human Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Deficiency Male Pituitary Diseases / Drug Therapy / Physiopathology Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Chemical Compound Name:
12629-01-5 (Somatropin); 67763-96-6 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor I)

Grant ID:
AG10999 AG NIA