Role of hormones in the pathogenesis and management of sarcopenia. Drugs Aging 2002;19(11):865-77
Date
11/14/2002Pubmed ID
12428995DOI
10.2165/00002512-200219110-00004Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0036448219 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 97 CitationsAbstract
There is growing evidence to indicate that age-related declines in growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and androgen and estrogen production play a role in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia (an age-related decline in muscle mass and quality). Although GH supplementation has been reported to increase lean body mass in elderly individuals, the high incidence of adverse effects combined with a very high cost has limited the applicability of this form of therapy. The assessment of an alternative approach to enhance the GH/IGF-1 axis in the elderly by using GH-releasing hormone and other secretagogues is currently under way and is showing some promise. Testosterone replacement therapy may increase muscle mass and strength and decrease body fat in hypogonadal elderly men. Long-term randomised, controlled trials are needed, however, to better define the risk-benefit ratio of this form of therapy before it can be recommended. Available data are currently insufficient to decide what role estrogen replacement therapy may play in the management of sarcopenia. Therefore, although the evidence linking age-related hormonal changes to the development of sarcopenia is rapidly growing, it is still too early to determine the clinical utility of hormonal supplementation in the management of sarcopenia.
Author List
Kamel HK, Maas D, Duthie EH JrAuthor
Edmund H. Duthie MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAged, 80 and over
Aging
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Estrogens
Female
Gonadal Steroid Hormones
Growth Hormone
Human Growth Hormone
Humans
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Male
Muscular Atrophy
Testosterone
