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Metabolic changes in aging humans: current evidence and therapeutic strategies
Allyson K. Palmer, Michael D. Jensen
Allyson K. Palmer, Michael D. Jensen
Published August 15, 2022
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2022;132(16):e158451. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI158451.
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Metabolic changes in aging humans: current evidence and therapeutic strategies

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Abstract

Aging and metabolism are inextricably linked, and many age-related changes in body composition, including increased central adiposity and sarcopenia, have underpinnings in fundamental aging processes. These age-related changes are further exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle and can be in part prevented by maintenance of activity with aging. Here we explore the age-related changes seen in individual metabolic tissues — adipose, muscle, and liver — as well as globally in older adults. We also discuss the available evidence for therapeutic interventions such as caloric restriction, resistance training, and senolytic and senomorphic drugs to maintain healthy metabolism with aging, focusing on data from human studies.

Authors

Allyson K. Palmer, Michael D. Jensen

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Figure 1

Body composition and metabolic changes with aging.

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Body composition and metabolic changes with aging.
The transition from h...
The transition from healthy, active young adulthood (left), with healthy amounts and function of adipose tissue/muscle, through a sedentary lifestyle and weight gain shift to middle age (middle) to more extreme old age (right) is depicted. With a sedentary lifestyle and plentiful food, adults accumulate excess visceral fat, develop adipocyte hypertrophy in subcutaneous fat, and lose muscle mass and strength. Increased adipocyte size is associated with excess release of free fatty acids (FFAs), which have been shown to cause insulin resistance and other metabolic abnormalities; excess visceral fat causes excess FFA delivery to the liver. With extreme old age comes reduced anabolic hormones, and these reductions combined with direct effects of aging and further declines in activity result in more muscle atrophy and greater adipose tissue dysfunction. There are primary aging mechanisms at both the cellular and the organismal level. SQ AT, subcutaneous adipose tissue.

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