Aging and proinflammatory cytokines

Aging is associated with increased inflammatory activity reflected by incre ased circulating levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, cytokine antagonists and acute phase proteins in vivo, Epidemiologic studies suggest that chronic low-grad e inflammation in aging promotes an atherogenic profile and is related to a ge-associated disorders leg, Alzheimer disease, atherosclerosis, type 2 dia betes, etc.) and enhanced mortality risk. Accordingly, a dysregulated produ ction of inflammatory cytokines has an important role in the process of agi ng. Studies of age-related differences in the production of proinflammatory cytokines in response to acute stimulations in vitro have yielded inconsis tent results. However, in vivo infectious models show delayed termination o f inflammatory activity and a prolonged fever response in elderly humans, s uggesting that the acute phase response is altered in aging. However, a cau sal relation between the acute phase response and the increased mortality b ecause of bacterial infections in older patients remains to be demonstrated . (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.