[Oxidative stress and longevity; a case-control study]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biochemistry
• Longevity research

Background:

• Human longevity is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, with oxidative stress (OE) potentially playing a key role.
• The ability to combat OE may be linked to successful aging and exceptional lifespan.
• This study investigates OE markers in centenarians to understand their role in human longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized proteins (OP) between centenarians (older than 97 years) and younger elderly individuals (70-80 years).
• To determine the association between OE levels and extreme longevity.

Main Methods:

• A population-based case-control study was conducted.
• Cases were individuals over 97 years old from La Ribera county, Valencia, Spain.
• Controls were randomly selected individuals aged 70-80 years from the same region.

Main Results:

• Twenty-eight cases and 31 controls were included in the study.
• Centenarians had significantly lower plasma levels of MDA and OP compared to controls.
• Lower quartiles of MDA and OP were associated with a higher odds ratio (OR) of being a centenarian (OR=3.8 for MDA, OR=5.7 for OP).

Conclusions:

• Oxidative stress levels are lower in centenarians compared to younger elderly individuals.
• A lower degree of oxidative stress is associated with an increased likelihood of reaching extreme old age.
• These findings suggest that reduced oxidative stress contributes to human longevity.