Search

Glucose-mediated energy production in central nervous system(CNS) reduces in the elderly. The reduction is also observed in young patients with diabetes mellitus(DM). Deviated endocrinological function is observed in both the elderly and young patients with DM. The deviation is characterized by mechanism of adaptation to the insufficient energy production in CNS. The decrease of glucose-mediated energy production is accelerated by decrease of the activity of growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor 1 axis and of conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine. These decreases are suitable for adaptation to the insufficient CNS activity induced by energy deficiency. Glucagon- and catecholamine-induced increases in plasma glucose level contribute to increase energy production. Parathyroid hormone action is activated in the elderly, which contributes to the inhibition of excess signal transduction in energy-deficient CNS. These deviations are considered as adaptations to the energy deficiency observed in aged patients with DM.

Metabolic syndrome is one of the determinants of lifespan in Japan. In order to prevent the acute vascular events, intervention is recommended. However, management of patients with this syndrome increased the number of patients with cognition decline and depressive state. Endocrinological studies with human and experimental animals showed that there is a negative relationship between progression of metabolic syndrome and occurrence of mental disorders. In this review, we summarize our clinical and experimental data, and discuss on the mechanism of the metabolic syndrome prevention of progression of age-related mental disorder.

Blood pressure is maintained for preventing from the progression of damage of central nervous system. Endocrine system plays important roles in the prevention from the damage through the functional deviation. Hypertension is one of the results of the endocrinological deviation. Although the hypertension induced by the endocrinological deviation is a risk for the progression of metabolic syndrome, it is important in the maintaining activity of central nervous system.

Aim: To investigate the effects of American ginseng on neurocognitive function and glucose regulation in senescence-accelerated mice. Methods: Male senescence-resistant inbred strains (SAMR1) and senescence-prone inbred strains (SAMP10) mice were divided into five groups and fed either a control diet or an American ginseng-supplemented diet (1% or 2% g/g) from 6 weeks to 10 months of age. Bodyweight, levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and grading scores were monitored every month and neurocognitive functions were evaluated at 9 months of age with a KUROBOX apparatus using a stress-free positive cue task. Gene expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-δ), insulin, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: American ginseng decreased FPG in SAMR1 mice, but increased FPG in SAMP10 mice. Correct visit ratios were higher in both SAMR1 and SAMP10 strains consuming an American ginseng-supplemented diet. Gene upregulation of insulin and ChAT in the brain, but not of PPAR-δ or APP, was evident in American ginseng-fed groups. Conclusion: Daily consumption of American ginseng induced an enhancement in neurocognitive function in senescence-accelerated mice, which could be related to the upregulation of insulin and ChAT gene expression in the brain. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 123-130. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrinological functions of aging subjects deviate from those of young subjects during the aging process. There are two types of deviation expressed as: (i) an adaptation to the aging process; and (ii) an acceleration of aging. The former includes hyperparathyroidism, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. The latter includes growth hormone resistance and low-T3 syndrome. Excess adaptation promotes the metabolic syndrome. Excess acceleration of aging easily leads subjects to mental disorder and death. In order to prevent subjects from both excess adaptation to and excess acceleration of aging, endocrinological intervention is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]