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Evaluation of biological aging process - a population-based study of healthy people in China

Xiaojuan Bai1, Lulu Han, Qiang Liu

  • 1Departments of Gerontology and Geriatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shengyang, PR China. xjuanbai2008@163.com

Gerontology
|November 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study developed a biological age score (BAS) for healthy Chinese individuals, finding it superior to chronological age in assessing aging rates. Cardiovascular factors are key indicators of biological aging.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Limited research exists on biomarkers of aging and biological age score (BAS) in healthy Chinese populations.
  • Previous studies on biological age have not extensively included echocardiographic cardiovascular assessments or inflammatory biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify biomarkers indicative of healthy aging in China.
  • To establish a reliable biological age score (BAS) for healthy individuals in China.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 2,876 adults (aged 30-98) was studied in three Chinese cities.
  • 852 healthy subjects underwent assessment of 108 physical, physiological, and biochemical variables.
  • Eight key variables, including chronological age (CA), cardiovascular measures (arterial pulse pressure, intima-media thickness, end diastolic velocity, E/A ratio, mitral valve annulus velocity), cystatin C, and fibrinogen, were selected to formulate the BAS.

Main Results:

  • A BAS equation was derived: 0.248(CA) + 0.195(IMT) - 0.196(EDV) - 0.167(E/A) - 0.166(MVEL) + 0.188(PP) + 0.182(FIB) + 0.193(CYSC).
  • The established BAS demonstrated a strong correlation with chronological age (r = 0.893, p < 0.001).
  • The biological aging rate, as predicted by BAS, accelerated with increasing chronological age, peaking in individuals aged 75 and older.

Conclusions:

  • The developed BAS is a more effective measure of aging rate in healthy Chinese individuals than chronological age.
  • Cardiovascular variables are critically important in evaluating biological aging.
  • The rate of biological aging appears to be specific to different age groups.
Abstract

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