In this episode of Longecity Now, Dr. Andrzej Bartke, a leading researcher in ageing from Southern Illinois University, discusses his work on growth hormone and its implications for longevity.

Key Points:

Dr. Bartke’s research has shown that reducing growth hormone levels significantly extends lifespan in mice, offering insights into the complex role of hormones in ageing. His work also connects growth hormone deficiency to improved insulin sensitivity, suggesting new avenues for longevity research.

• Accidental Discovery of Growth Hormone's Role in Ageing: Dr. Bartke’s research began with fertility studies in mice, which unexpectedly revealed that mice with excess growth hormone aged prematurely. This led him to explore how the absence of growth hormone could extend lifespan.
• Growth Hormone Deficiency and Longevity: His studies found that mice lacking growth hormone lived 50% longer than their normal counterparts, demonstrating a significant link between reduced growth hormone and extended lifespan.
• Impact of Insulin and Growth Factors: Bartke explains how growth hormone interacts with insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), both of which play key roles in ageing. Improved insulin sensitivity, observed in growth hormone-deficient mice, is associated with extended longevity.
• Calorie Restriction and Ageing: He draws parallels between the effects of calorie restriction and growth hormone deficiency, both of which improve insulin sensitivity and extend lifespan, though through different mechanisms.
• Human Applications: Bartke highlights that while growth hormone therapy is beneficial for those with deficiencies, its use in healthy individuals for anti-ageing purposes is not supported by evidence and may even lead to negative effects, such as insulin resistance.
• Senescent Cells and Future Research: He touches on the exciting potential of targeting senescent cells, which accumulate with age and contribute to tissue damage, as a promising area for future anti-ageing therapies.