Simulating Selected Human Hormonal Pathways During A 24-Hour Period and Its Implications for Aging Research

A subset of compounds that regulate functions that are affected by aging and in turn affect the aging process in humans have been simulated in a quantitative temporal model using the Center for Research and Education in Aging Language (CREAL). CREAL is a language that can be used to describe biological systems designed by integrating data yielded from different research studies, and events that take place in a simulated 24‐hour period. It has been used to develop a simulation of glucose intake, absorption and and subsequent modulation of insulin and glucagon levels in humans. Example of the compounds that are simulated are hormones such as orexin, glucocorticoids and melatonin. The release of orexin, which modulates the human hunger response is simulated with respect to insulin, leptin, and ghrelin. This is achieved by modeling the concentrations of gut hormones based on food intake within 24 hours. The release of glucocorticoids, which is the primary modulator of the stress response is simulated with respect to actions that take place in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis). Furthermore, the release of melatonin, which modulates the sleep cycle is simulated with respect to events that take place in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The model also shows changes in many other compounds that are involved in regulating daily processes. Ultimately, such a program can be used to simulate whole organism homeostatic processes. Support or Funding Information Center for Research and Education in Aging, University of California at Berkeley, LBNL, CA, USA