IGF-1 and Aging refers to the complex and dynamic relationship between Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), a peptide hormone structurally similar to insulin, and the biological processes of senescence and longevity. IGF-1, primarily produced in the liver under the stimulation of Growth Hormone, plays a critical anabolic role in childhood and early adulthood, promoting tissue growth, cell proliferation, and repair. The clinical perspective acknowledges that while high levels in early life are beneficial, maintaining excessively high levels in later life may accelerate certain age-related processes, necessitating a nuanced approach to its management.
Origin
This concept originates from the convergence of endocrinology, gerontology, and molecular biology, particularly research into the Growth Hormone/IGF-1 axis. Early studies highlighted its growth-promoting effects, while later longevity research, particularly in model organisms, established a link between reduced IGF-1 signaling and extended lifespan, leading to the current understanding of its dual, age-dependent role.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism of IGF-1 involves binding to the IGF-1 receptor, which activates the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, a central regulator of cell growth, metabolism, and survival. During aging, the mechanism shifts from favoring tissue accretion to potentially promoting cellular over-proliferation and nutrient-sensing pathways that oppose longevity. Clinical management, therefore, often involves strategies to optimize, rather than simply maximize, the IGF-1 signal to balance anabolism with cellular maintenance.
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