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Aging and dietary modulation of elastase and interleukin-1 beta secretion
J G Cannon1, M A Fiatarone, M Meydani
1United States Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts.
The American Journal of Physiology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Dietary fish oil supplements improved neutrophil function in older adults experiencing exercise-induced inflammation. This suggests fatty acid intake can mitigate age-related immune decline, impacting neutrophil degranulation and inflammatory responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nutrition Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Aging impairs immune function, potentially linked to altered fatty acid metabolism and lipid peroxidation.
- Eccentric muscle stress can induce localized inflammation and affect circulating leukocyte function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if dietary fatty acid modification influences neutrophil and monocyte secretion in older adults under inflammatory stress.
- To assess the impact of fish oil supplementation on immune responses to eccentric exercise in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Older and younger adults underwent eccentric quadriceps muscle stress.
- Neutrophil degranulation was measured via plasma elastase levels.
- Mononuclear cell function was assessed by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) secretion.
- Urinary lipid peroxide excretion was monitored.
Main Results:
- Older adults on placebo showed no elastase response to stress; fish oil group exhibited a 142% increase, similar to younger subjects.
- Elastase response correlated with plasma arachidonic acid-to-eicosapentaenoic acid ratios (r = -0.881, P = 0.004).
- No significant changes in lipid peroxides or IL-1 beta secretion were observed, though age-associated differences in IL-1 beta were noted.
Conclusions:
- Age-related differences in neutrophil elastase release were linked to individual fatty acid status, not solely age.
- Dietary fatty acid composition, particularly fish oil intake, can restore immune responses in older adults.
- Further research is needed on age-associated differences in IL-1 beta secretion and lipid peroxidation.