Abstract | BACKGROUND: 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.
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Authors | H Bruunsgaard, K Andersen-Ranberg, B Jeune, A N Pedersen, P Skinhøj, B K Pedersen |
Journal | The 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 |
PMID | 10462168
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antigens, CD
- Interleukin-6
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- C-Reactive Protein
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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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