X-Message-Number: 26675
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 05:23:52 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: inflammation and aging

Exp Gerontol. 2005 May 31; [Epub ahead of print]
Aging is characterized by a profound reduction in anti-inflammatory
lipoxin A(4) levels.
  Ongoing low-grade chronic inflammation represents a pathogenetic
background for age-related diseases. In this report, we tested the
hypothesis that endogenous anti-inflammatory mechanisms may become less
efficient with age, resulting in increased susceptibility to inflammatory
disorders. Using previously validated ELISA assays, we evaluated urinary
levels of the anti-inflammatory, pro-resolution, arachidonic acid (AA)
metabolite, lipoxin (LX)A(4) and of the pro-inflammatory cysteinyl
leukotrienes (cysLTs) in volunteers aged from 26 to over 100 years. (i)
LXA(4) excretion was decreased in elderly people, resulting in a profound
unbalance of the LXA(4)/cysLTs ratio, which may be considered an index of
the endogenous anti-inflammatory potential. A significant inverse
correlation was denoted between age and the LXA(4)/cysLTs ratio
(rho=-0.41, P=0.0026). We conclude that aging is associated with a switch
in arachidonic acid metabolism that prevents formation of key 'stop
signals' of the inflammatory reaction. This may contribute to promote the
development of disease in elderly.

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