Biological aging implies a progressive decrease of endocrine and metabolic
resources, which correspond to a reduction of working activity and caloric intake.
The aim of this study was to measure DHEA-S and IGF-1 and products of
methionine metabolism in 76 postmenopausal African women (50 to 100 years of
age) compared to 22 adult African fertile women (30 to 45 years of age).
Determination of plasma DHEA-S in elderly women gave a markedly low mean
concentration and the same was observed for plasma IGF-1 (450.1±263.2 and
64.2±38.1 ng mL,respectively). The correlation between DHEA-S and IGF-1 was
significantly positive only in 71-100 years women (r = 0.44, p<0.05). There was
a significant decrease of plasma glutathione in all elderly women (3.5±0.4 µMol
L-¹), while the plasma homocysteine (Hcy) was markedly elevated (18.7±0.5 µMol
L¹), whilst that of folic acid, Vit B12 and Vit B 6 levels were found in the normal
range. A significant positive correlation between DHEA-S and plasma glutathione
levels (r = 0.56, p<0.025) was found only in the 50-60 old years women group,
while the correlation between IGF-1 and plasma glutathione was negative but not
significant (r = -0.36, p = NS) in the same age group. In this study a low level of
IGF-1 and DHEA-S in old humans is firstly considered as consequence of
hypo-caloric alimentation, moderate physical activity and absence of
psychophysics stress. Moreover a positive correlation between IGF-1 and
DHEA-S in oldest age populations, ranging from 71 to 100 years, suggests that
endocrine and metabolic systems must be maintained in a lower equilibrium to
compensate the physiological reduction of the oxidant/antioxidant balance (low
level of plasma glutathione).

IGF-I, DHEA-S, Hcy, Thioles, postmenopausal women, Burkina Faso, Africa