Age-Related Morphometric Changes of the Pituitary Gland in Sudden Cardiac Death

The study describes morphometric changes in the adenohypophysis during sudden cardiac death. The study investigated the morphometric parameters of pituitary gland tissues obtained from 75 individuals who died of sudden cardiac death, categorized according to the WHO age classification into cohorts of 18–44, 45–59, 60–74, and 75–90 years and older. The specimens were examined at the Andijan branch of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Forensic Medical Examination during the period of 2015–2024. In acute cardiac death associated with ischemic heart disease (IHD), age-specific features revealed that in the 18–44 and 45–59 age groups, the diameters of acidophilic cells, thyrotroph cells, corticotroph cells, and gonadotroph cells significantly increased; these indicators explained the enhancement of metabolic processes and morphofunctional activity in them. In the 60–74 and 75–90 age groups, a statistically significant decrease in the diameters of acidophilic cells, thyrotroph cells, corticotroph cells, and gonadotroph cells was observed, which manifested a decline in cellular metabolic processes. A decrease in the area occupied by the adenohypophyseal parenchyma accompanied by an increase in the stromal area occurred in parallel with advancing age, demonstrating a decline in the gland's morphofunctional activity. These changes were explained by the fact that age-related atrophic and sclerotic alterations of the pituitary gland in these individuals were accelerated against the background of IHD, and atrophic changes accelerated the aging processes.