Aim: 

With aging, a deterioration of immune functions (immunosenescence) occurs and an age-related inflammatory state ("inflammaging") has been proposed. In the present study, a key immune function and different oxidant and inflammatory parameters have been evaluated to check whether the immune function impairment found in the elderly is linked to a higher inflammatory condition.

Methods: 

A total of 272 healthy human volunteers were studied, 141 women and 131 men. They were divided in three age groups: adult (30-49 years old), adult-mature (50-59 years old) and mature (60-79 years old). Peripheral blood leukocytes were obtained to assess the lymphoproliferative response in the presence of the mitogen phytohemaglutinine. Moreover, we measured by ELISA the interleukin-6 levels in supernatants of lypopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood. Finally, plasma samples were used to evaluate the interleukin-6 receptor levels and the xanthine oxidase activity, using ELISA and "Amplex Red Xanthine/XO Assay" kits, respectively.

Results: 

The lymphoproliferative response is decreased in both mature women and men with respect to their adult groups. When studying all individuals classified only by age, we have found that aging is directly linked to an increase in the IL-6 levels. However, if we analyze each gender separately, such effect is only significant in men. With respect to the interleukin-6 receptor levels and xanthine oxidase activity, no changes were observed.

Conclusion: 

These and previously results prove that an inflammatory state is related with the immunosenescence found in the elderly organism.

Funding: 

MEC (BFU2005-06777), MICINN (BFU2008-04336), and group of research UCM (910379ENEROINN) grants. RETICEF (RD06/0013/0003)(ISCIII).