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Related Experiment Videos

Elevated plasma total homocysteine in centenarians.

Mariano Malaguarnera1, Giovanni Pistone, Massimo Motta

  • 1Department of Senescence, Urological and Neurological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. malaguar.mbox@unict.it

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|April 15, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Centenarians exhibit high homocysteine levels, a risk factor for atherosclerosis, yet show remarkable longevity. This suggests potential genetic protection and highlights the importance of vitamin intake for extreme aging.

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis.
  • Factors influencing Hcy include age, gender, renal function, and folate intake.
  • Centenarians represent a unique model for studying human longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if atherosclerosis risk factors change with extreme age in centenarians.
  • To determine the role of vitamin nutritional status in the centenarian population.
  • To analyze homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12, and pyridoxal phosphate levels in centenarians.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 54 centenarians (aged 100-107) and three control groups.
  • Measurements included total plasma homocysteine, serum creatinine, folate, vitamin B12, and pyridoxal phosphate (PLP).

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  • Statistical analysis used the Student's t test for comparisons between groups.

    • Main Results:

    • Centenarians had significantly higher serum creatinine and total homocysteine levels compared to younger (<65) and older (>65) controls.
    • Centenarians showed lower folate and vitamin B12 levels than the <65 group, but higher PLP levels than the >65 group.
    • Despite elevated homocysteine, centenarians survive to extreme ages, suggesting protective mechanisms.

    Conclusions:

    • Centenarians may possess genetic factors conferring protection against high homocysteine-related diseases.
    • Adequate vitamin intake appears crucial for achieving extreme longevity (over 100 years).
    • Further research into genetic and nutritional factors influencing longevity in centenarians is warranted.