Aim: 

Aging leads to a raised inflammatory condition that can be studied analyzing the levels of soluble factors such as cytokines. Ovariectomy in rodents constitutes a model of premature aging that accelerates immunosenescence and increases oxidative stress in rodents. In the present study we have assessed the effect of ovariectomy on the inflammatory state of old mice through the analysis of different cytokines. Furthermore, we have introduced a treatment with soy isoflavones to determine whether they exert a modulatory role on inflammation.

Methods: 

Female and male ICR-CD1 mice were used. At the age of 12 months, females were ovariectomized or sham-operated. At 14 months of age both groups received, during 15 weeks, a diet enriched in soy isoflavones (1mg/mouse/day) or a standard diet (control groups). Peritoneal leukocytes were obtained and set in 72 hour-cultures in response to mitogens, and the supernatants were collected to measure the levels of interleukine-2, 6 and 10.

Results: 

Ovariectomy results in a significantly lower production of interleukin-10. With respect to the soybean-enriched diet, it tends to increase the levels of interleukin-10, and significantly decreases interleukin-6 levels in sham animals. With respect to males, females exhibit higher interleukin-2 and 10 levels, and lower interleukin-6 levels.

Conclusion: 

The inflammatory condition of old mice results affected by ovariectomy through an unbalance of pro-anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, with decreased interleukin-10. The inflammatory state is lower in females that in males, and a diet rich in soybean isoflavones could be useful to ameliorate the characteristic inflammation of old ages.

Funding: 

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