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Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications
Published on: May 18, 2017
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The GH/IGF-1 axis in ageing and longevity.
Riia K Junnila1, Edward O List1, Darlene E Berryman1
1Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, 1 Water Tower Drive, The Ridges (R. K. Junnila, E. O. List, D. E. Berryman, J. J. Kopchick), Department of Radiology, O'Bleness Hospital, 55 Hospital Drive, (J. W. Murrey), Athens, OH 45701, USA.
Nature Reviews. Endocrinology
|April 18, 2013
Summary
Decreased growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) activity, known as somatopause, is linked to aging. Inhibiting GH action may extend lifespan and protect against age-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gerontology
- Genetics
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels decline with age, a process termed somatopause.
- Recombinant human GH is misused as an anti-aging treatment despite lacking efficacy.
- Mutations reducing GH/IGF-1 axis activity extend lifespan in mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of altered GH/IGF-1 axis activity on lifespan in mice and humans.
- To explore the potential of inhibiting GH action as an anti-aging strategy.
- To describe the mechanisms, benefits, and risks of medically disrupting the GH/IGF-1 axis.
Main Methods:
- Review of data from mouse strains with genetic alterations in the GH/IGF-1 axis.
- Analysis of human genetic studies on mutations affecting the GH/IGF-1 axis.
- Examination of existing literature on the physiological effects of GH/IGF-1 axis modulation.
Main Results:
- Reduced GH/IGF-1 axis activity is associated with extended longevity in mice.
- Mice and humans with diminished GH/IGF-1 activity show protection against cancer and diabetes.
- Human data on the longevity effects of corresponding mutations are still under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Pharmaceutical inhibition of GH action may offer a novel approach to delay aging.
- Targeting the GH/IGF-1 axis presents potential therapeutic benefits for age-related diseases.
- Further research is needed to establish the safety and efficacy of disrupting the GH/IGF-1 axis in humans.
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