Pituitary–adrenal correction restores corticosterone pulses

In old mice, this proposed mechanism asks whether repairing two hormone-control tissues could restore daily hormone pulses and improve blood vessels, muscle recovery, and glucose handling. The proposed minimum is precise: correct 50% of corticotrophs, pituitary cells that release the signal to the adrenal glands, and 50% of steroid-producing cells in both adrenal glands. Together, these changes are predicted to restore pulses of corticosterone, a stress-related hormone. The key test compares joint correction with either tissue alone and with 25% or 75% correction. Restored pulses plus improved function would support the hypothesis; matching daily hormone exposure with an aged pulse pattern would test whether the rhythm itself drives the benefit.