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Related Experiment Videos

Aging and the adrenal cortex

S S Yen1, G A Laughlin

  • 1University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA. dnye@ucsd.ed

Experimental Gerontology
|February 10, 1999
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Aging impacts adrenal hormones, with rising cortisol and falling androgens like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S) may influence liver metabolism and aging, suggesting a need to study these adrenal steroids together.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Aging is associated with altered adrenal steroidogenesis, including increased cortisol and decreased androgens.
  • Cortisol excess is implicated in cognitive decline and hippocampal damage, driving interest in hormone replacement for healthy aging.
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEA-S) are key adrenal steroids with complex roles throughout the lifespan.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the intricate relationship between adrenal glucocorticoid and androgen secretion during human aging.
  • To investigate the potential impact of DHEA-S on liver metabolism and its implications for health and disease.
  • To examine the dynamic changes in the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio across the lifespan and its significance.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Review of existing literature on adrenal steroid function in aging.
  • Analysis of recent studies on DHEA-S interaction with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha).
  • Examination of lifespan changes in cortisol and DHEA-S levels and their ratio.

Main Results:

  • DHEA-S, but not DHEA, activates PPAR alpha in the liver, suggesting a role in regulating fatty acid metabolism and gene expression.
  • DHEA-S may contribute to the chemoprotective effects of endogenous steroids.
  • The cortisol/DHEA-S ratio exhibits a U-shaped curve across the lifespan, with higher ratios in infancy and old age.

Conclusions:

  • Adrenal steroid dynamics, particularly the interplay between cortisol and DHEA/DHEA-S, are critical throughout human aging.
  • DHEA-S has potential physiological roles in liver metabolism and may possess protective properties.
  • Further research into the simultaneous study of cortisol and DHEA-S is warranted to understand their combined impact on health and aging.