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Plasma antioxidants and longevity: a study on healthy centenarians
P Mecocci1, M C Polidori, L Troiano
1Sezione di Gerontologia e Geriatria, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy. geriat@unipg.it
Free Radical Biology & Medicine
|July 13, 2000
Summary
Healthy centenarians exhibit unique antioxidant profiles, with high vitamin A and E levels potentially contributing to extreme longevity. This contrasts with age-related decreases in nonenzymatic antioxidants and increases in enzymatic ones observed in younger groups.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Oxidative stress is implicated in aging and age-related diseases.
- Antioxidants, including vitamins and enzymes, are crucial for cellular defense against oxidative stress.
- Understanding antioxidant roles in aging is vital for promoting healthy longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antioxidant profiles of healthy centenarians compared to younger age groups.
- To determine the relationship between antioxidant levels, enzymatic activities, and extreme human longevity.
Main Methods:
- Plasma levels of vitamin C, uric acid, vitamin E, vitamin A, carotenoids, and total thiol groups were measured.
- Activities of plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were assessed.
- Red blood cell (RBC) SOD activity was also evaluated in adults, elderly subjects, and centenarians.
Main Results:
- Noncentenarians showed decreased nonenzymatic antioxidants and increased enzymatic antioxidant activities with age.
- Centenarians displayed the highest levels of vitamins A and E.
- Plasma and RBC SOD activities, which typically increase with age, were lower in centenarians.
Conclusions:
- Healthy centenarians possess a distinct antioxidant profile characterized by elevated vitamin A and E levels.
- These high vitamin levels may play a significant role in achieving extreme longevity.
- The observed pattern suggests a complex interplay between antioxidants and the aging process.