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Adrenopause - does it really exist?
1Department of Endocrinology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Bielański Hospital, Warsaw, Poland.
Przeglad Menopauzalny = Menopause Review
|July 20, 2017
Summary
Aging human adrenal glands show cell changes affecting hormone production. Cortisol levels remain high, while adrenal androgens decrease, impacting overall endocrine function and increasing incidentaloma risk.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gerontology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Aging human adrenal glands undergo morphological changes impacting endocrine function.
- Cellular differences in aging: zona glomerulosa cells (glucocorticoids) survive longer than zona reticularis cells (androgens).
- Zona reticularis cells experience significant apoptosis with age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related alterations in human adrenal cortex endocrine function.
- To correlate cellular changes with hormonal output in aging adrenal glands.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by adrenal incidentalomas in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis of aging human adrenal glands.
- Assessment of endocrine function related to glucocorticoid and androgen production.
- Review of factors influencing zona glomerulosa function.
Main Results:
- Cortisol levels are maintained or increased in elderly individuals.
- Adrenal androgen concentrations significantly decline with aging.
- Increased incidence of non-secreting adrenal incidentalomas in the elderly.
Conclusions:
- Aging leads to differential cell survival in the adrenal cortex, affecting hormone balance.
- Altered adrenal function in the elderly necessitates careful diagnosis, especially for incidentalomas.
- Factors like circulatory, renal, and hepatic status influence adrenal function in aging individuals.
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