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Circadian secretion of melatonin and thyrotropin in hospitalized aged patients

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Abstract

Alterations in periodical functions are known to occur in aging and may be regarded as markers of the aging process itself. Melatonin and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) circadian periodicities were studied in 22 aged subjects and in 13 adult controls. The study of rhythmicity was performed by the Cosinor analysis. Elderly subjects were hospitalized because of various concomitant diseases. Circadian periodicity of both hormones was disrupted in the aged group, and the deterioration of melatonin periodicity was significantly correlated with the decay in cognitive functions, quantified by the Mini Mental State evaluation. Diabetes was also found to affect, though not significantly, melatonin, but not TSH, periodicity. Melatonin and TSH nocturnal peaks were decreased in aged people. TSH oscillation amplitudes were inversely correlated with age. No correlation was found between melatonin and TSH secretory features both in adult and in aged subjects. (Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 5: 39–46, 1993)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinological and Metabolic Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genova, Italy

    Giovanni Murialdo, P. Costelli, S. Fonzi, C. Parodi, F. Torre & A. Pollen

  2. Fidia Research Laboratories, Abano Terme, Padova, Italy

    T. Cenacchi

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  1. Giovanni Murialdo
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  2. P. Costelli
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  3. S. Fonzi
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Murialdo, G., Costelli, P., Fonzi, S. et al. Circadian secretion of melatonin and thyrotropin in hospitalized aged patients. Aging Clin Exp Res 5, 39–46 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324125

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