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A high plasma concentration of TNF-alpha is associated with dementia in centenarians.

AbstractBACKGROUND:
Inflammatory mechanisms and immune activation have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of age-associated diseases such as dementia and atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the plasma concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in a large cohort of centenarians and to look for its possible associations with cognitive function, atherosclerosis, and general health status. Furthermore, we investigated whether the concentration of TNF-alpha was correlated with the blood concentration of leucocyte subsets or the plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, soluble TNF receptor 11 (sTNFR-H) (75 kDa) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
METHODS:
Plasma TNF-alpha was measured by ELISA in 126 centenarians, 45 subjects aged 81 years, 23 subjects aged 55-65 years, and 38 subjects aged 18-30 years. Atherosclerosis was evaluated by the ankle-brachial blood pressure index, and general health status was evaluated by the body mass index and the number of diagnoses present.
RESULTS:
The concentration of TNF-alpha was significantly increased in 126 centenarians compared to younger control groups, and a high concentration of TNF-alpha was associated with both Alzheimer's disease and generalized atherosclerosis in the centenarians. The concentration of TNF-alpha was positively correlated with the concentrations of plasma IL-6, sTNFR-II, and CRP. No associations were found with increased leucocyte subsets or the body mass index.
CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates that, even in apparently healthy subjects, age-associated immune activation indicated by raised levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines may reflect age-associated pathological processes that develop over decades.
AuthorsH Bruunsgaard, K Andersen-Ranberg, B Jeune, A N Pedersen, P Skinhøj, B K Pedersen
JournalThe journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci) Vol. 54 Issue 7 Pg. M357-64 (Jul 1999) ISSN: 1079-5006 [Print] United States
PMID10462168 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Antigens, CD
  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • C-Reactive Protein
Topics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease (blood)
  • Antigens, CD (blood)
  • Arteriosclerosis (blood)
  • Body Mass Index
  • C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
  • Cognition
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 (blood)
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor (blood)
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (analysis)

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