somatopause

Introduction

Decline in growth hormone & somatomedin C (IGF-1) with age.

Pathology

• diminished pulse amplitude of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) secretion from the hypothalamus
• decreased response of pituitary somatotrophs to GHRH & to ghrelin
• decreased pulse amplitude of growth hormone secretion from pituitary; reversed circadian cycle
• no change in somatostatin
• higher free fatty acid levels suppress growth hormone output

More general terms

• age-related endocrinopathy

Additional terms

• ghrelin; ghrelin -27; ghrelin-28
• growth hormone-releasing hormone; somatotropin-releasing hormone,; somatocrinin; somatoliberin (GHRH)
• insulin-like growth factor-1; mechano growth factor; MGF; somatomedin-C (IGF1, IBP1)