Possible role of gonadotropin excess in age-related diseases - return to the old hypothesis in the light of current data

Abstract

The paper presents the evaluation of a hypothesis assuming that the elevated levels of gonadotropins which occur physiologically in older persons are involved by their direct extra-gonadal action in the pathogenesis of age-related disorders. The data on the possibilities of the direct action of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and their possible deleterious effects in the brain, bone, cardiovascular system and cancer in older persons are reviewed. A proposal of a new approach to the hormonal prevention treatment of age-related disorders (suppression of gonadotropins by means of gonadotropin releasing hormone analogs) is discussed.