scholarly journals Dynamic tests in pituitary endocrinology: pitfalls in interpretation during aging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Caputo ◽  
Chiara Mele ◽  
Alice Ferrero ◽  
Ilaria Leone ◽  
Tommaso Daffara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Dynamic Tests ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
And Function

Aging and age-related diseases represent hot topics of current research. Progressive damage in morphology and function of cells and tissue characterizes the normal process of aging, that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The ability of each individual to adapt to these stressors defines the type of aging and the onset of age-related diseases (i.e. metabolic syndrome, inflammatory disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases). The endocrine system plays a critical role in this process, because of its complex relationships with brain, immune system, and skeletal muscle; thus, alterations in hormonal networks occur during aging to maintain homeostasis, with consequent under- or overactivity of specific hypothalamic-pituitary-peripheral hormone axes. On the other hand, the increase in life expectancy has led to increasing incidence of age-related diseases, including endocrine disorders, which may prompt assessment of endocrine function in aging individuals. In this context, there is growing awareness that natural changes of endocrine physiology and physiopathology occurring with increasing age may necessitate age-driven diagnostic cut-offs requiring validation in the elderly. This review aims to analyse the available literature on the hormone response to the most important dynamic tests currently used in the clinical practice for the screening of anterior pituitary-related diseases, to underline pitfalls in interpretation during aging.

scholarly journals Redox Signaling and Sarcopenia: Searching for the Primary Suspect

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 9045
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Foreman ◽  
Anton S. Hesse ◽  
Li Li Ji
Keyword(s):  
Health Hazard ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Redox Signaling ◽  
Ros Generation ◽  
Mitochondrial Homeostasis ◽  
Metabolic Functions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
And Function ◽  
Fundamental Mechanism

Sarcopenia, the age-related decline in muscle mass and function, derives from multiple etiological mechanisms. Accumulative research suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation plays a critical role in the development of this pathophysiological disorder. In this communication, we review the various signaling pathways that control muscle metabolic and functional integrity such as protein turnover, cell death and regeneration, inflammation, organismic damage, and metabolic functions. Although no single pathway can be identified as the most crucial factor that causes sarcopenia, age-associated dysregulation of redox signaling appears to underlie many deteriorations at physiological, subcellular, and molecular levels. Furthermore, discord of mitochondrial homeostasis with aging affects most observed problems and requires our attention. The search for the primary suspect of the fundamental mechanism for sarcopenia will likely take more intense research for the secret of this health hazard to the elderly to be unlocked.

scholarly journals Heterogeneity and Dynamics of Vasculature in the Endocrine System During Aging and Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Stucker ◽  
Jessica De Angelis ◽  
Anjali P. Kusumbe
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Cells ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Vascular Changes ◽  
Endocrine Glands ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Stem And Progenitor Cells ◽  
Network Functions ◽  
Endocrine Tissues

The endocrine system consists of several highly vascularized glands that produce and secrete hormones to maintain body homeostasis and regulate a range of bodily functions and processes, including growth, metabolism and development. The dense and highly vascularized capillary network functions as the main transport system for hormones and regulatory factors to enable efficient endocrine function. The specialized capillary types provide the microenvironments to support stem and progenitor cells, by regulating their survival, maintenance and differentiation. Moreover, the vasculature interacts with endocrine cells supporting their endocrine function. However, the structure and niche function of vasculature in endocrine tissues remain poorly understood. Aging and endocrine disorders are associated with vascular perturbations. Understanding the cellular and molecular cues driving the disease, and age-related vascular perturbations hold potential to manage or even treat endocrine disorders and comorbidities associated with aging. This review aims to describe the structure and niche functions of the vasculature in various endocrine glands and define the vascular changes in aging and endocrine disorders.

Constipation in patients with comorbidity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Е.А. Лялюкова ◽  
Е.Н. Логинова
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Silver Age ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Age Related

Пациенты пожилого и старческого возраста в силу физиологических причин и коморбидной патологии имеют высокий риск развития запора. Причиной запора чаще всего являются алиментарные факторы и возраст-ассоциированные заболевания и повреждения толстой кишки (дивертикулярная болезнь, ишемия толстой кишки, ректоцеле, геморрой и другие); метаболические, эндокринные расстройства и неврологические заболевания. Возрастные анатомические, структурные и функциональные изменения пищеварительной системы вносят свой вклад в развитие запоров у пожилых. У пациентов «серебряного возраста» отмечено увеличение длины желудочно-кишечного тракта, прогрессирование атрофических, склеротических изменений слизистой и подслизистой оболочки, снижение количества секреторных клеток, замещение мышечных волокон соединительной тканью и др. Все это способствует замедлению транзита по желудочно-кишечному тракту и нарушению акта дефекации. Образ жизни пожилых людей также может способствовать развитию запора. Низкое содержание в рационе клетчатки, употребление преимущественно термически обработанной пищи, нарушение ритма питания (прием пищи 1-2 раза в день) являются одной из причин возникновения запоров у пожилых, чему способствуют трудности при жевании вследствие стоматологических проблем. Колоноскопия показана всем пациентам пожилого и старческого возраста с запором, а выявление «симптомов тревоги» необходимо проводить при каждом визите пациента. Вне зависимости от причины вторичного запора, все пациенты должны осуществлять ряд мер немедикаментозного характера, включающих изменение образа жизни, диету с включением достаточного количества клетчатки и потребление жидкости. Физические методы лечения могут включать лечебную гимнастику, массаж толстой кишки для стимуляции моторной активности кишечника в определенное время. При неэффективности немедикаментозных мероприятий рекомендуется использование осмотических слабительных, а также средств, увеличивающих объем каловых масс. Высокая эффективность и безопасность псиллиума позволяет рекомендовать его в лечении хронического запора у пожилых пациентов. Elderly and senile patients, due to physiological reasons and comorbid pathology, have a high risk of constipation. The causes of constipation are more often nutritional factors and age-associated diseases and damage to the colon (diverticular disease, colon ischemia, rectocele, hemorrhoids, and others); metabolic, endocrine disorders and neurological diseases. Age-related anatomical, structural and functional changes in the digestive system contribute to the development of constipation in the elderly. In patients of «silver age», there was an increase in the length of the gastrointestinal tract, the progression of atrophic, sclerotic changes in the mucous and submucosa, a decrease in the number of secretory cells, replacement of muscle fibers with connective tissue, etc. All this contributes to the slowing down of transit through the gastrointestinal tract and the violation of the act of defecation. Elderly lifestyles can also contribute to constipation. The low fiber content in the diet, the use of mainly thermally processed food, the violation of the rhythm of the diet (eating 1-2 times a day) are one of the causes of constipation in the elderly, which is facilitated by difficulty in chewing due to dental problems. Colonoscopy is ordered for all elderly and senile patients with constipation, and the identification of «anxiety symptoms» should be carried out at each patient visit. Regardless of the cause of secondary constipation, all patients should take a number of non-pharmacological measures, including lifestyle changes, a diet with adequate fiber, and fluid intake. Physical therapies may include medical gymnastics, colon massage to stimulate bowel movement at specific times. If non-drug measures are ineffective, it is recommended to use osmotic laxatives, as well as agents that increase the volume of feces. Psyllium supplementation is recommended for treatment of chronic constipation in elderly patients due to its high efficacy and safety.

scholarly journals Regenerative Medicine Approaches for Age-Related Muscle Loss and Sarcopenia: A Mini-Review

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 580-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Diego Naranjo ◽  
Jenna L. Dziki ◽  
Stephen F. Badylak
Keyword(s):  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Signaling Molecules ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Muscle Physiology ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Function ◽  
Age Related Changes

Sarcopenia is a complex and multifactorial disease that includes a decrease in the number, structure and physiology of muscle fibers, and age-related muscle mass loss, and is associated with loss of strength, increased frailty, and increased risk for fractures and falls. Treatment options are suboptimal and consist of exercise and nutrition as the cornerstone of therapy. Current treatment principles involve identification and modification of risk factors to prevent the disease, but these efforts are of limited value to the elderly individuals currently affected by sarcopenia. The development of new and effective therapies for sarcopenia is challenging. Potential therapies can target one or more of the proposed multiple etiologies such as the loss of regenerative capacity of muscle, age-related changes in the expression of signaling molecules such as growth hormone, IGF-1, myostatin, and other endocrine signaling molecules, and age-related changes in muscle physiology like denervation and mitochondrial dysfunction. The present paper reviews regenerative medicine strategies that seek to restore adequate skeletal muscle structure and function including exogenous delivery of cells and pharmacological therapies to induce myogenesis or reverse the physiologic changes that result in the disease. Approaches that modify the microenvironment to provide an environment conducive to reversal and mitigation of the disease represent a potential regenerative medicine approach that is discussed herein.

scholarly journals Superoxide Anion Production and Bioenergetic Profile in Young and Elderly Human Primary Myoblasts

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariangela Marrone ◽  
Rita Maria Laura La Rovere ◽  
Simone Guarnieri ◽  
Ester Sara Di Filippo ◽  
Giovanni Monaco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Oxidative Phosphorylation ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Compensatory Mechanisms ◽  
Superoxide Anion Production ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Primary Myoblasts ◽  
Production Variability ◽  
And Function

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function. It is associated with regenerative difficulties by satellite cells, adult muscle stem cells, and alteration of oxidative management, mainly the increase in superoxide anions (O2•−). We aimed to investigate the relation between regenerative deficit in elderly and increase in O2•− production along with mitochondrial alterations. Myoblasts and myotubes from skeletal muscle of young and elderly healthy subjects (27.8 ± 6 and 72.4 ± 6.5 years old) were measured: (1) superoxide dismutase activity and protein content, (2) mitochondrial O2•− production levels, (3) O2•− production variability, and (4) mitochondrial bioenergetic profile. Compared to young myoblasts, elderly myoblasts displayed decreased SOD2 protein expression, elevated mitochondrial O2•− baseline levels, and decreased oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. Additionally, elderly versus young myotubes showed elevated mitochondrial O2•− levels when stressed with N-acetyl cysteine or high glucose and higher glycolysis despite showing comparable oxidative phosphorylation levels. Altogether, the elderly may have less metabolic plasticity due to the impaired mitochondrial function caused by O2•−. However, the increased energy demand related to the differentiation process appears to activate compensatory mechanisms for the partial mitochondrial dysfunction.

scholarly journals Muscular Atrophy and Sarcopenia in the Elderly: Is There a Role for Creatine Supplementation?

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolan ◽  
Artioli ◽  
Pereira ◽  
Gualano
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Training Stimulus ◽  
Creatine Supplementation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
And Function

Sarcopenia is characterized by a loss of muscle mass, quality, and function, and negatively impacts health, functionality, and quality of life for numerous populations, particularly older adults. Creatine is an endogenously produced metabolite, which has the theoretical potential to counteract many of the morphological and metabolic parameters underpinning sarcopenia. This can occur through a range of direct and indirect mechanisms, including temporal and spatial functions that accelerate ATP regeneration during times of high energy demand, direct anabolic and anti-catabolic functions, and enhanced muscle regenerating capacity through positively impacting muscle stem cell availability. Studies conducted in older adults show little benefit of creatine supplementation alone on muscle function or mass. In contrast, creatine supplementation as an adjunct to exercise training seems to augment the muscle adaptive response to the training stimulus, potentially through increasing capacity for higher intensity exercise, and/or by enhancing post-exercise recovery and adaptation. As such, creatine may be an effective dietary strategy to combat age-related muscle atrophy and sarcopenia when used to complement the benefits of exercise training.

scholarly journals Targeting Age-Related Pathways in Heart Failure

2020 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haobo Li ◽  
Margaret H. Hastings ◽  
James Rhee ◽  
Lena E. Trager ◽  
Jason D. Roh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Experimental Platform ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Cardiac Structure And Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
Increased Susceptibility

During aging, deterioration in cardiac structure and function leads to increased susceptibility to heart failure. The need for interventions to combat this age-related cardiac decline is becoming increasingly urgent as the elderly population continues to grow. Our understanding of cardiac aging, and aging in general, is limited. However, recent studies of age-related decline and its prevention through interventions like exercise have revealed novel pathological and cardioprotective pathways. In this review, we summarize recent findings concerning the molecular mechanisms of age-related heart failure and highlight exercise as a valuable experimental platform for the discovery of much-needed novel therapeutic targets in this chronic disease.

Effects of Ageing on the Motor Unit: A Brief Review

1993 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Doherty ◽  
Anthony A. Vandervoort ◽  
William F. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Relaxation Times ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Key Words Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Current State ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Human Motor ◽  
Muscle Groups ◽  
And Function

This review briefly summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding age related changes in skeletal muscle, followed by a more in-depth review of ageing effects on animal and human motor units (MUs). Ageing in humans is generally associated with reductions in muscle mass (atrophy), leading to reduced voluntary and electrically evoked contractile strength by the 7th decade for most muscle groups studied. As well, contraction and one-half relaxation times are typically prolonged in muscles of the elderly. Evidence from animal and human studies points toward age associated MU loss as the primary mechanism for muscle atrophy, and such losses may be greatest among the largest and fastest MUs. However, based on studies in animals and humans, it appears that at least some of the surviving MUs are able to partially compensate for MU losses, as indicated by an increase in the average MU size with age. The fact that muscles in the elderly have fewer, but on average larger and slower, MUs has important implications for motor control and function in this population. Key words: skeletal muscle, motor neuron, motor axon, contractile properties, adaptation

scholarly journals Age-related Macular Degeneration: Current Knowledge of Zinc Metalloproteinases Involvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 903-918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Liva ◽  
Doretta Cuffaro ◽  
Elisa Nuti ◽  
Susanna Nencetti ◽  
Elisabetta Orlandini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Tissue Inhibitors Of Metalloproteinase ◽  
Age Related ◽  
A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase

Background: Advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly with limited therapeutic options. The disease is characterized by photoreceptor loss in the macula and reduced Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) function, associated with matrix degradation, cell proliferation, neovascularization and inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs) play a critical role in the physiology of extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover and, in turn, in ECM pathologies, such as AMD. A balance between the activities of MMPs and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase (TIMPs) is crucial for the integrity of the ECM components; indeed, a dysregulation in the ratio of these factors produces profound changes in the ECM, including thickening and deposit formation, which eventually might lead to AMD development. Objective: This article reviews the relevance and impact of zinc metalloproteinases on the development of AMD and their roles as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. We illustrate some studies on several inhibitors of MMPs currently used to dissect physiological properties of MMPs. Moreover, all molecules or technologies used to control MMP and ADAM activity in AMD are analyzed. Conclusion: This study underlines the changes in the activity of MMPs expressed by RPE cells, highlights the functions of already used MMP inhibitors and consequently suggests their application as therapeutic agents for the treatment of AMD.

Old age and kidneys

2008 ◽  
Vol 149 (17) ◽  
pp. 789-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Endre Balázs ◽  
Andrea Ruszwurm ◽  
Miklós Székely ◽  
István Wittmann ◽  
Judit Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Chronic Renal Failure ◽  
Interstitial Fibrosis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Tubular Atrophy ◽  
Water Excretion ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Renal Morphology ◽  
And Function ◽  
Age Related Changes

Age-related changes in renal morphology and function cannot be regarded physiological. The number of glomeruli falls, sclerotic glomeruli and aglomerular arterioles develop. Besides tubular atrophy interstitial fibrosis is often seen, and the age-related vascular changes strongly affect the kidneys. Renal blood flow and GFR decrease, without concomitant changes in se-creatinine. Disorders of tubular transport manifest mainly in salt- and water-excretion and lead to hyposthenuria. The pathogenesis of these age-related changes is not fully understood. Nevertheless, such changes impair the excretory functions and the pharmacokinetics of drugs. In real chronic renal failure other functions (erythropoietin production, vitamin-D, Ca and P metabolism) are also impaired. Due to more frequent occurrence of systemic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc.) in the elderly, real chronic renal failure is also more common, and various forms of acute renal failure develop more easily.

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