At the Institute of Aging Studies at the Russian National Research Medical University NI Pirogov, researchers are leading the RussAge project, the largest aging study ever conducted in Russia. The goal is to map the aging process with a focus on individuals who live to extreme ages. Within this framework, the team aims to understand the hormonal and metabolic profiles of nonagenarians and centenarians, who are 90 years old and above. This investigation marks a pioneering step in Russia toward clarifying how the aging trajectory unfolds and what biological signals indicate successful aging. The researchers shared these aims with socialbites.ca through university channels.
The team notes that studying hormones in centenarians is essential because clinics still lack a precise understanding of how hormonal and metabolic states influence longevity in this age group. Although a large volume of research on carbohydrate metabolism in older adults exists today, most study cohorts consist of participants under 85, with the RussAge cohort having an average age near 93. This distinction matters because it allows exploration of hormonal-metabolic patterns in the oldest old, a segment often underrepresented in prior work, according to Lyubov Machekhina, an endocrinologist at the Institute for the Study of Aging and head of the Laboratory of Aging Biomarkers at the university, who spoke with socialbites.ca.
Current clinical guidelines across many specialties do not provide clear reference ranges for several laboratory parameters in the elderly, nor do they always address the appropriateness of certain medications for this population. The RussAge project seeks to tighten these gaps by examining how age-related shifts in hormones relate to overall health and functional outcomes in late life.
Assessing the hormonal drivers of longevity remains a complex task, and this study aims to reveal patterns that could guide monitoring and interventions designed to support successful aging. By characterizing which hormonal signals are linked with favorable health trajectories, researchers hope to identify targets for maintaining quality of life in advanced age.
The study will track a broad spectrum of hormones, including those involved in carbohydrate metabolism, thyroid function, and sex hormones. It will also examine adipose tissue hormones because inflammation within fat tissue is increasingly recognized as a contributor to the aging process. Endothelial dysfunction and low-grade chronic inflammation of adipose tissue are now viewed as key mechanisms of aging and accelerated aging, underscoring the need to understand how these factors can be modulated to promote healthier aging in the population.
According to Machekhina, the research will cover somatotropic, tropic, and peripheral hormones, as well as insulin-like growth factor 1, cortisol, and prolactin. In essence, nearly the entire hormonal spectrum will be explored to illuminate how these interrelated signals shape aging in the oldest cohorts.
In addition to scientific discovery, the RussAge initiative intends to develop an original Russian biological age calculator. While researchers already possess tools to estimate biological age, current models can yield substantial error margins. The new calculator aims to improve precision for use in clinical and research settings, enhancing the ability to assess aging pace and intervention effects in the Russian population.
The project also includes historical context, noting that prior observations on menopause in Russian women provide a baseline for understanding gender-specific aging patterns and hormonal shifts across the lifespan.