The biological process of net tissue growth, characterized by an increase in cell number, cell size, or the accumulation of extracellular matrix components, resulting in an overall gain in tissue mass. In the context of hormonal health, this term often refers specifically to the anabolic processes of muscle or bone growth. This process is fundamentally dependent on a positive nitrogen balance and the influence of anabolic hormones.
Origin
The term is derived from the Latin accretio, meaning ‘growth’ or ‘increase,’ and is a general term in biology describing growth by accumulation. In human physiology, it is the counterpart to catabolism and is a key outcome measure in therapeutic interventions aimed at combating sarcopenia or osteoporosis.
Mechanism
Tissue accretion is mechanistically driven by the binding of anabolic hormones, such as testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), to their respective receptors on target cells. This binding initiates intracellular signaling cascades that promote protein synthesis, inhibit protein degradation, and stimulate cellular proliferation. A sustained anabolic environment is necessary to shift the balance toward net positive tissue remodeling and growth.
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