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Hormontherapie und Anti-Aging

Gibt es eine Indikation?

Hormone therapy and anti-aging: is there an indication?

  • Schwerpunkt: Hormontherapie
  • Published:
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Zusammenfassung

Der Wunsch nach einem langen Leben ist tief in den meisten Menschen verwurzelt. Erfreulicherweise hat die Lebenserwartung in den letzten Jahrzehnten deutlich zugenommen. Auf der anderen Seite aber ist ein fortgeschrittenes Alter mit einer Zunahme der Morbidität verbunden. Daher ist es notwendig, Strategien zu entwickeln, die über eine alleinige Lebensverlängerung hinausgehend zu einer Anhebung der Lebensqualität im Alter führen. Verschiedene Substanzen, welche Alterungsprozesse bremsen sowie Krebs- und degenerativen Erkrankungen vorbeugen sollen, sind Gegenstand wissenschaftlicher Untersuchungen. Insbesondere Hormonen wird eine Anti-Aging-Wirkung zugeschrieben. Diese Übersicht stellt die hierzu vorliegenden Studiendaten vor.

Abstract

The desire for a long life is deeply embedded in nearly all men. Fortunately life expectancy has remarkably increased over the past decades, on the other hand advancing age is frequently associated with a rise in morbidity. Above simply prolonging life there is a need to search for strategies to improve the quality of life in the elderly. Different substances to prevent premature aging, cancer and degenerative disorders appear to be promising candidates. Since it has been suggested that the decline of different hormones over the lifespan is closely related to the aging process replacement of these hormones may be a strategy against aging. Especially hormones like growth hormone, DHEA, testosterone and melatonin were considered as anti-aging agents.

This review is focusing on the theoretical background and the previously known effects of different hormones to slow aging processes. Despite some promising results in a variety of studies conducted over the past years presently available data do not justify the broad use of hormones for anti-aging purposes. However, although no single hormone can be recognized as a ‘rejuvenating’ and life extending agent, some of their actions may be beneficial for the aging process.

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  1. Klinik für Nephrologie und Hochdruckkrankheiten, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Deutschland

    D. Heutling

  2. Medizinische Klinik I, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein,Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland

    H. Lehnert MD FRCP

  3. University Hospital, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, Great Britain

    H. Lehnert MD FRCP

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Heutling, D., Lehnert, H. Hormontherapie und Anti-Aging. Internist 49, 570–580 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00108-008-2110-3

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