Human longevity is characterised by high thyroid stimulating hormone secretion without altered energy metabolism

TY - JOUR

T1 - Human longevity is characterised by high thyroid stimulating hormone secretion without altered energy metabolism

AU - Jansen, S W

AU - Akintola, A A

AU - Roelfsema, F

AU - van der Spoel, E

AU - Cobbaert, C M

AU - Ballieux, B E

AU - Egri, P

AU - Kvarta-Papp, Z

AU - Gereben, B

AU - Fekete, C

AU - Slagboom, P E

AU - van der Grond, J

AU - Demeneix, B A

AU - Pijl, H

AU - van Heemst, D

AU - Westendorp, Rudi GJ

PY - 2015/6/19

Y1 - 2015/6/19

N2 - Few studies have included subjects with the propensity to reach old age in good health, with the aim to disentangle mechanisms contributing to staying healthier for longer. The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis maintains circulating levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone (TH) in an inverse relationship. Greater longevity has been associated with higher TSH and lower TH levels, but mechanisms underlying TSH/TH differences and longevity remain unknown. The HPT axis plays a pivotal role in growth, development and energy metabolism. We report that offspring of nonagenarians with at least one nonagenarian sibling have increased TSH secretion but similar bioactivity of TSH and similar TH levels compared to controls. Healthy offspring and spousal controls had similar resting metabolic rate and core body temperature. We propose that pleiotropic effects of the HPT axis may favour longevity without altering energy metabolism.

AB - Few studies have included subjects with the propensity to reach old age in good health, with the aim to disentangle mechanisms contributing to staying healthier for longer. The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis maintains circulating levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone (TH) in an inverse relationship. Greater longevity has been associated with higher TSH and lower TH levels, but mechanisms underlying TSH/TH differences and longevity remain unknown. The HPT axis plays a pivotal role in growth, development and energy metabolism. We report that offspring of nonagenarians with at least one nonagenarian sibling have increased TSH secretion but similar bioactivity of TSH and similar TH levels compared to controls. Healthy offspring and spousal controls had similar resting metabolic rate and core body temperature. We propose that pleiotropic effects of the HPT axis may favour longevity without altering energy metabolism.

U2 - 10.1038/srep11525

DO - 10.1038/srep11525

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 26089239

SN - 2045-2322

VL - 5

SP - 1

EP - 11

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

M1 - 11525

ER -