Immune cells, inflammation, oxidation, zinc and aging

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

The below pdf-available paper appears to show that, in the very-old population,

their immune blood cells call neutrophils are maintained in their ability to

protect

from immune system deficiency. Zinc status of the neutrophils are involved.

Oxidation may be important in the immune response. Youthfullness properties are

maintained in the very-old, but not old or in some cases even the middle-aged

people

with an average age of 43 years.

Moroni F, Di Paolo ML, Rigo A, Cipriano C, Giacconi R, Recchioni R, Marcheselli

F,

Malavolta M, Mocchegiani E.

Interrelationship Among Neutrophil Efficiency, Inflammation, Antioxidant

Activity

and Zinc Pool in Very Old Age.

Biogerontology. 2005 Sep;6(4):271-281.

PMID: 16333761

Neutrophils are the first barrier against infections. Aged neutrophils display

impaired oxidative burst and phagocytosis with subsequent less capability to

destroy

bacteria. In successful ageing (nonagenarians), neutrophil efficiency

(phagocytosis)

increases. After ingested microbes, aged neutrophils are less prone to undergo

apoptosis favouring chronic inflammation. Moreover, the superoxide dismutase

(SOD)

activity, which is necessary in avoiding ROS produced by oxidative burst, is

limited

in ageing. The mechanisms of age-related changes in neutrophil function are not

fully understood, taking also into account that nonagenarians escape infections

in

comparison with elderly. Zinc pool may be involved because it is pivotal for

neutrophil efficiency and SOD activity. Since zinc also controls the

inflammation,

via IL-6 and soluble factor of gp130 (sgp130), we have assessed the possible

interrelationship among oxidative burst, apoptosis, inflammation, SOD, adhesion

molecule Mac-1 and zinc pool in elderly and in nonagenarians. The oxidative

burst

and the capacity to increase Mac-1 after PMA stimulation decrease both in

elderly

and nonagenarians, but the latter display a slight increased neutrophil induced

apoptosis, decreased sgp130, increased SOD, and more neutrophil zinc content, as

it

occurs in young-adults. Significant correlation exists between sgp130 and zinc

pool

in very old age. These findings suggest lower chronic inflammation in

nonagenarians,

via more zinc available, with subsequent long-life survival. Therefore, a more

correct interrelationship among neutrophil efficiency, inflammation, antioxidant

activity and zinc pool exists in successful ageing with subsequent more

effectiveness to control the inflammatory response to pathogens.

Al Pater, PhD; email: old542000@...

__________________________________________________