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Nutrition: a major factor influencing immunity in the elderly
1Service de Gerontologie Clinique, Hopital Nord du CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Route de Chateaugay, B.P. 56, 63118 Cebazat, France. blesourd@chu-clermontferrand.fr
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging
|January 20, 2004
Summary
Immune system aging primarily impacts T-cells, reducing their ability to proliferate. Nutritional status significantly influences immune function in older adults, with protein-energy malnutrition exacerbating age-related immune decline.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Gerontology
- Cellular immunology
- Nutritional immunology
Background:
- Aging is associated with significant changes in the immune system, a phenomenon known as immunosenescence.
- Cell-mediated immunity, particularly T-cell function, is notably affected by the aging process.
- Nutritional status plays a crucial role in modulating immune responses, especially in the elderly population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on immune aging and its relationship with health status and nutritional factors.
- To elucidate the impact of aging on different immune cell subsets and functions.
- To understand the consequences of malnutrition on immune responses in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on immunosenescence.
- Analysis of changes in T-cell subsets (CD3+, CD2+CD3-, CD45R0+, CD8+) and their proliferative capacity.
- Examination of B-cell subsets and innate immunity in aging.
- Correlation of immune function with health status, micronutrient levels, and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).
Main Results:
- Aging leads to decreased mature T-cells and proliferative ability, with some compensation by less mature T-cells.
- Antigen exposure increases memory T-cells and slightly decreases CD8+ subsets.
- B-cell subsets and innate immunity are less affected by aging, but are sensitive to nutritional status.
- Protein-energy malnutrition severely impairs all aspects of immunity (T-cell, B-cell, innate) in the elderly.
- Refeeding can improve immune response, but inflammation slows this recovery.
- Immune disequilibrium in stressed, aged patients contributes to chronic inflammation and frailty.
Conclusions:
- Immune aging is characterized by T-cell dysfunction and reduced proliferative capacity, influenced by nutritional status.
- Protein-energy malnutrition in the elderly leads to profound immune deficits, increasing susceptibility to illness.
- Age-related immune changes, exacerbated by malnutrition and stress, contribute significantly to frailty in older adults.