Lipoprotein metabolism in Japanese centenarians: effects of apolipoprotein E polymorphism and nutritional status.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the complex interaction of apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphisms and environmental factors on lipoprotein profile in centenarians.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional analysis.

SETTING:

Tokyo metropolitan area.

PARTICIPANTS:

Seventy-five centenarians and 73 healthy older volunteers (mean age 63.1 +/- 10.0) living in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

MEASUREMENTS:

Plasma lipids and lipoproteins, cholesteryl ester transfer protein mass, apo E phenotype, body mass index, nutritional indices (serum albumin, prealbumin, transferrin), dietary intake, inflammation markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6)), activities of daily living, and cognitive function.

RESULTS:

In comparison with older people, the centenarians had low concentrations of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a relative predominance of high-density lipoprotein 2 cholesterol. No environmental factor, except the number of apo E epsilon2 alleles, was a significant determinant of LDL-C and apo B, suggesting that the low apo B-containing lipoprotein in centenarians may be attributable to a genetic cause. Centenarians had elevated levels of lipoprotein (a) and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which seem to be an unfavorable lipoprotein profile. Lower levels of HDL-C in the centenarians were associated with decreased serum albumin, elevated CRP and IL-6 levels, and cognitive impairment, suggesting that HDL-C could be a sensitive marker for frailty and comorbidity in the oldest old.

CONCLUSIONS:

Low levels of apo B-containing lipoproteins attributable to a genetic cause may be advantageous for longevity. Lipoprotein profiles in centenarians were consistently related to the subjects' nutritional status, inflammation markers, and apo E polymorphisms. The results provide evidence for the importance of maintaining nutritional status in the very old.

• Authors: Y Arai, N Hirose, S Nakazawa, K Yamamura, K Shimizu, M Takayama, Y Ebihara, Y Osono, S Homma
• Journal: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (J Am Geriatr Soc) Vol. 49 Issue 11 Pg. 1434-41 (Nov 2001) ISSN: 0002-8614 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11890580 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Apolipoproteins E
• CETP protein, human
• Carrier Proteins
• Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
• Cholesterol, HDL
• Glycoproteins
• Inflammation Mediators
• Lipids
• Lipoproteins

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Apolipoproteins E (blood, genetics)
• Body Mass Index
• Carrier Proteins (blood)
• Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
• Cholesterol, HDL
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Geriatric Assessment
• Glycoproteins
• Humans
• Inflammation Mediators (blood)
• Japan
• Lipids (blood)
• Lipoproteins (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Nutritional Status
• Phenotype
• Polymorphism, Genetic (genetics)