Neuroendocrine axes function in healthy aging: Evaluation of predictive and manipulable blood serum indexes

G. Mazzoccoli, G. Vendemiale, M. Inglese, A. De Cata, A. Piepoli, V. Pazienza, L. A. Muscarella, R. Tarquini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aging is characterized by alteration of neuroendocrine axes function. We evaluated possible predictive and manipulable blood serum indexes of function of these axes in healthy elderly. The study was carried out on 15 healthy young-middle aged subjects (age range 36-55 years) and 15 healthy old-aged subjects (age range 67-79 years). Melatonin, cortisol, TRH, TSH, FT4, GH and IGF1 serum levels were measured on blood samples collected every four hours for 24 hours. The presence of circadian rhythmicity, the differences in MESOR, amplitude and acrophases, the differences in the mean of 06:00-10:00-14:00 h values and the meanof 18:00-22:00-02:00 h values hormone serum levels and ratios (melatonin/cortisol ratio, TRH/TSH ratio and GH/IGF1 ratio) between the two groups were evaluated. A normal circadian rhythmicity was recognizable for melatonin, cortisol, TRH, TSH and GH secretion in young-middle aged subjects and for melatonin, cortisol TSH and GH in old-aged subjects, that showed higher cortisol MESOR value (P=0.001) and lower TSH MESOR value (P=0.002). Old-aged subjects presented higher GH/IGF1 ratio in the photoperiod (P=0.02), and higher TRH/TSH ratio in the scotoperiod (P=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in melatonin/cortisol ratio between young-middle aged and old-aged subjects.Aging is as sociated withalteration of some neuroendocrine axesfunction, but melatonin/cortisol ratio is a valuable predictive and manipulable blood serum index of normal function in healthy aging.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16-21
Number of pages6
JournalBiomedicine and Aging Pathology
Volume1
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2011

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Circadian rhythm
  • GH/IGF1 ratio
  • Melatonin/cortisol ratio
  • TRH/TSH ratio

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Ageing

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