Endocrine Abstracts

In this talk, I will discuss the integrated role of hypothalamic inflammation and GnRH dysfunction in the development of systemic aging. First, I will provide an overview on aging-related profiles of hypothalamic pro-inflammatory NF-kB pathway as well as GnRH change. Second, I will describe how these changes can employ a neurodegenerative mechanism, in particular through targeting hypothalamic neural stem cells, to mediate the pathogenesis of aging and many aging-related disorders. Finally, I will discuss the negative impact of hypothalamic NF-kB pathway on the level and function of GnRH, which underlies the induction of aging-related neurogenic impairment, and further provide evidence showing that inhibition of hypothalamic inflammation or restoration of GnRH function can be useful for slowing down aging and related whole-body declines. Altogether, hypothalamic inflammation and related neuroendocrine dysfunction may work as a central process for the development of systemic aging and therefore various aging-related diseases.