Faculty Research 1990 - 1999
Does growth hormone prevent or accelerate aging?
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1998
First Page
675
Last Page
687
JAX Source
Exp Gerontol 1998 Nov-Dec;33(7-8):675-87
Grant
HD20001/HD/NICHD, HD20033/HD/NICHD, AG14193/AG/NIA
Abstract
It is very well documented that plasma growth hormone (GH) levels decline with age in the human and in experimental animals, and there is considerable evidence that age-related changes in body composition may be caused by reduced function of the GH-IGF-I system. However, excessive GH levels are associated with reduced life expectancy in acromegalic patients and with symptoms of accelerated aging in GH transgenic mice. Hereditary dwarf mice deficient in GH, prolactin, and TSH live much longer than their normal siblings. Possible mechanisms of delayed aging in dwarf mice include lower core body temperature and reduced oxidative processes. It is suggested that the controversies concerning the apparent potential of GH to both prevent and accelerate aging may be reconciled by interpreting the results in light of the negative relationship between body size and life span within a species.
Recommended Citation
Bartke A,
Brown BH,
Bode AM,
Carlson J,
Hunter WS,
Bronson RT.
Does growth hormone prevent or accelerate aging? Exp Gerontol 1998 Nov-Dec;33(7-8):675-87