Age-associated increase of thyroid hormone receptor β gene promoter methylation coexists with decreased gene expression.

Purpose: It is not established if healthy aging of the thyroid axis is associated with alterations other than changes in hormone secretion.

Methods: The expression of thyroid hormone receptor β gene (THRB) was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from young, elderly, and long-lived individuals. The interaction between the 3'UTR of TRβ1 mRNA and selected miRNAs was measured using pmirGLO reporter vector.

miR-96, miR-145 and miR-9 expression increases, and IGF-1R and FOXO1 expression decreases in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of aging humans.

Background: In mammals, the IGF-1 pathway affects the phenotype of aging. Since the function of the immune system is modulated by IGF-1, it is plausible that immunosenescence might in part result from altered control by this pathway. We therefore examined whether the expression of IGF-1R, FOXO1, and FOXO3a in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) changes with age and if this might be due to changes in the expression of select miRNAs.

Cognitive performance and functional status are the major factors predicting survival of centenarians in Poland.

Background: Clinical and biochemical predictors of extreme longevity would be useful in geriatric practice but have still not been clearly defined.

Methods: To identify the best nongenetic predictors of survival in centenarians, we examined 340 individuals aged 100+ years. A detailed questionnaire was completed, and comprehensive geriatric assessment and blood analyses were performed.

Small-molecule hormones: molecular mechanisms of action.

Small-molecule hormones play crucial roles in the development and in the maintenance of an adult mammalian organism. On the molecular level, they regulate a plethora of biological pathways. Part of their actions depends on their transcription-regulating properties, exerted by highly specific nuclear receptors which are hormone-dependent transcription factors.

[Adrenal tuberculosis as a cause of primary adrenal insufficiency--case report].

Adrenal tuberculosis is relatively infrequent cause of primary adrenocortical insufficiency in developed countries. Adrenal involvement is most often the result of hematogenous spread of the pulmonary tuberculosis. Isolated adrenal tuberculosis, especially with enlargement of adrenal glands can cause diagnostic problems and requires differentiation from primary or secondary neoplastic disease.