What is the Origin of Somatopause Interventions?

This term is derived from clinical endocrinology, where "somatopause" refers to the cessation or significant reduction of somatotropin (GH) secretion, analogous to the gonadal decline of menopause or andropause. The concept of "interventions" is rooted in the therapeutic use of GH secretagogues or, in some cases, exogenous GH itself, to address the clinical consequences of this decline. These protocols are central to longevity medicine.

What is the Mechanism of Somatopause Interventions?

The mechanism of these interventions typically involves stimulating the pituitary gland to increase the amplitude of GH pulses, often through the use of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) analogues or Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHSs). This enhanced pulsatility leads to increased hepatic production of IGF-1, which then mediates the anabolic effects on muscle, bone, and connective tissue. The resulting rise in IGF-1 drives protein synthesis and lipolysis, thereby improving the patient's overall metabolic and physical function.

Somatopause Interventions

Meaning

Somatopause Interventions are clinically administered therapeutic strategies designed to counteract the somatopause, which is the age-related decline in the pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) and its downstream mediator, Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). These interventions aim to restore the GH/IGF-1 axis to a more youthful functional level, thereby improving body composition, bone mineral density, and metabolic parameters. The goal is to mitigate the catabolic state associated with GH deficiency in aging.