Growth Hormone, Hypothalamic Inflammation, and Aging

Author(s)

Velloso, Licio A. ; Donato, Jose

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF OBESITY & METABOLIC SYNDROME; v. 33, n. 4, p. 12-pg., 2024-12-01.

Abstract

While inflammation is a crucial response in injury repair and tissue regeneration, chronic inflammation is a prevalent feature in various chronic, non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer and in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Long-term inflammation considerably affects disease prevalence, quality of life, and longevity. Our research indicates that the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 (GH/ IGF-1) axis is a pivotal regulator of inflammation in some tissues, including the hypothalamus, which is a key player in systemic metabolism regulation. Moreover, the GH/IGF-1 axis is strongly linked to longevity, as GH- or GH receptor-deficient mice live approximately twice as long as wild-type animals and exhibit protection against aging-induced inflammation. Conversely, GH excess leads to increased neuroinflammation and reduced longevity. Our review studies the associations between the GH/IGF-1 axis, inflammation, and aging, with a particular focus on evidence suggesting that GH receptor signaling directly induces hypothalamic inflammation. This finding underscores the significant impact of changes in the GH axis on metabolism and on the predisposition to (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07607-8 - OCRC - Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center
• Grantee: Licio Augusto Velloso
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 20/01318-8 - Central nervous system as a target of growth hormone for the regulation of multiple biological functions
• Grantee: Jose Donato Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants