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Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, a surrogate marker of microbial translocation, is associated with physical

John R Stehle1, Xiaoyan Leng, Dalane W Kitzman

  • 1Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. jstehle@wakehealth.edu

The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
|September 11, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

In healthy older adults, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), a marker of microbial translocation, is linked to reduced physical function and increased inflammation. Further research is needed to clarify this relationship.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Physical function naturally declines with age, accompanied by increased inflammation.
  • Microbial translocation (MT) involves systemic exposure to microbes without overt bacteremia.
  • MT markers like soluble CD14 (sCD14) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) may drive chronic inflammation in aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between MT biomarkers (sCD14, LBP) and physical function in healthy older adults.
  • To explore the relationship between MT biomarkers and inflammatory markers.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 59 healthy older adults (60-89 years).
  • Assessed plasma biomarkers of MT (sCD14, LBP), physical function (grip strength, SPPB, gait speed, etc.), and inflammation (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α).

Main Results:

  • LBP was inversely correlated with SPPB score and grip strength, and positively correlated with CRP.
  • sCD14 showed correlations with IL-6, TNF-α, and TNFsR1.
  • The association between LBP and physical function remained significant after adjusting for inflammatory biomarkers.

Conclusions:

  • In healthy older individuals, LBP, a surrogate marker of MT, is associated with poorer physical function and inflammation.
  • Further investigation is required to determine if MT causes or is merely a marker of inflammation and functional decline.

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