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Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
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Common adipokine features of neonates and centenarians

Cristina Meazza1, Giovanni Vitale, Sara Pagani

  • 1Dipartimento di Scienze Pediatriche e Patologia Umana ed Ereditaria, Università di Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|February 8, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Early life metabolic health, indicated by adipokine levels, may influence healthy aging and longevity. Centenarians exhibit a favorable adipokine profile similar to healthy infants, suggesting long-term metabolic well-being is key.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Gerontology
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Adipose tissue plays a crucial role in aging.
  • Early life metabolic status may predict healthy aging and longevity.
  • Adipokines, such as leptin and adiponectin, are key regulators of metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between early life metabolic condition and healthy aging.
  • To evaluate leptin and adiponectin levels in neonates, centenarians, and healthy elderly individuals.
  • To determine if a favorable adipokine profile in infancy is associated with longevity.

Main Methods:

  • Measured leptin and adiponectin levels in neonates (adequate for gestational age - AGA, and small for gestational age - SGA).
  • Assessed adipokine levels in centenarians and healthy elderly subjects.
  • Compared adipokine profiles across different age groups and gestational statuses.

Main Results:

  • SGA neonates had lower leptin at birth but increased leptin and reduced adiponectin at 1 year compared to AGA.
  • Centenarians exhibited significantly lower leptin and higher adiponectin levels than elderly subjects.
  • AGA infants at 1 year and centenarians shared a favorable adipokine profile.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic condition in early life, reflected in adipokine profiles, may influence an individual's longevity.
  • A favorable adipokine profile, characterized by lower leptin and higher adiponectin, is associated with healthy aging and potentially centenarianism.
  • Early metabolic programming could be a significant factor in achieving long-term health and lifespan.

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