Related Experiment Videos
Changes in plasma DHEAS circadian rhythm in elderly men.
A Del Ponte1, M G Di Monte, D Graziani
1Department of Clinica Medica, University of Chieti, Italy.
Progress in Clinical and Biological Research
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Aging significantly impacts the endocrine system, causing elderly men to lose the daily DHEAS rhythm. This loss, along with lower DHEAS levels, may contribute to aging and atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Chronobiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Aging influences the temporal organization of the human endocrine system.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) blood levels decline with age in men.
- DHEAS may play a role in the early stages of atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of a DHEAS circadian rhythm in young and elderly men.
- To assess changes in the parameters of other hormonal rhythms with aging.
Main Methods:
- Circadian protocol used to evaluate DHEAS, prolactin (PRL), and cortisol plasma levels over 24 hours.
- Study included 11 young males (28 ± 2 yrs) and 12 elderly males (73 ± 1 yrs).
Main Results:
- A significant DHEAS circadian rhythm was found in young men (mesor 273.13 ± 38.25 μg/dl, amplitude 41.37 ± 9.29).
- Elderly men showed no DHEAS circadian rhythm, with significantly reduced mesor and amplitude (p < 0.001 and p < 0.005).
- Circadian patterns of PRL and cortisol remained unchanged between the young and elderly groups.
Conclusions:
- The loss of DHEAS rhythmicity and reduced levels in elderly men may be linked to the aging process.
- These findings highlight alterations in the endocrine temporal structure associated with aging.