ENDOTOXIN LEVELS IN SERA OF ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS

The endotoxin levels in serum of 377 72-year-old individuals were quan titated. The study population was a representative sample of this age group and was participating in a general study of health and disease a mong the elderly in Goteborg, Sweden. The endotoxin levels in serum we re quantified by the chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate assay and we re correlated with the health status and laboratory findings for each individual. The mean endotoxin levels (+/- 1 standard deviation) in me n and women, when excluding four outliers, were 6.6 +/- 3.8 and 6.9 +/ - 3.8 pg/ml, respectively. All included 21.5% of individuals had endot oxin levels equal to or above the sensitivity limit of 10 ng/ml. Stron g positive correlations were found between endotoxin levels and plasma triglycerides (P > 0.995) and between endotoxin levels and serum prot ein (P > 0.9875). The endotoxin activity also correlated with mean cor puscular hemoglobin concentration (P < 0.005, negative correlation), b ody mass index (P > 0.9875), and decreased appetite (P > 0.9875). A hi gh alcohol consumption was associated with increased endotoxin levels (P = 0.995). There are no previous studies which examine endotoxin lev els in serum samples from individuals representative of the population . This study showed that elderly individuals had the same mean level o f endotoxin as has been found in other age groups. The increased endot oxin levels seen in heavy drinkers may be explained by a decreased abi lity of the liver to remove endotoxin. The correlations found between endotoxin and triglycerides, protein, mean corpuscular hemoglobin conc entration, decreased appetite, and body mass index are discussed.