The ACE DD genotype and D-allele are associated with exceptional longevity: A meta-analysis

The ACE I/D polymorphism has been associated with longevity, although not consistently. The objective of this study was to detect the possible unequal distribution of the alleles and genotypes of this polymorphism among centenarians and younger segments of the population. Relevant data were extracted from studies in the literature, comparing genotype and allele frequencies between centenarians and younger controls. The association of ACE I/D polymorphism with exceptional longevity was analyzed in a total of 1803 centenarians and 10,484 controls using the chi-square test with the Yates correction. We conducted combined analyses for all ethnic groups studied in the literature (Caucasian, Chinese and Korean) as well as for Caucasians only. The DD genotype (odds ratio (OR): 1.25 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.54), P = 0.032) and the D-allele were more frequent in Caucasian centenarians compared with their younger controls (OR: 1.16 (95% CI: 1.05–1.28), P < 0.001). Similar findings were obtained when all ethnic origin groups were included in the analyses, with no evidence of publication bias or heterogeneity (P > 0.05). The present meta-analysis indicates that the ACE D-allele and the DD genotype might confer a modest, albeit significant advantage to reach exceptional longevity.     

The rs1333049 polymorphism on locus 9p21.3 and extreme longevity in Spanish and Japanese cohorts

GeroScience - The rs1333049 (G/C) polymorphism located on chromosome 9p21.3 is a candidate to influence extreme longevity owing to its association with age-related diseases, notably coronary artery...     

Age, race and season predict vitamin D status in African American and white octogenarians and centenarians

Objective: Poor vitamin D status has been associated with osteoporosis, falls, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, autoimmune diseases, pain, nursing home placement, and other age-related conditions, but little is known about the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D status in those aged 80 and older. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that vitamin D status would be 1) poorer in a population-based multi-ethnic sample of centenarians as compared with octogenarians and 2) predicted by specific dietary, demographic or environmental factors.Design: Cross-sectional population-based analyses.Setting: Northern Georgia in the United States.Participants: Men and women aged 80 to 89 (octogenarians, n=80) and 98 and older (centenarians, n=237).Measurements: Regression analyses were used to examine the associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with age, gender, race, living arrangements, dairy food intake, supplement intake, and season.Results: The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency [25(OH)D<50 nmol/L] was higher in centenarians than in octogenarians (p<0.02). In logistic regression analyses, the risk of being vitamin D insufficient was significantly increased by being a centenarian vs. octogenarian (p<0.005) and by being African American vs. white (p<0.001) and decreased by taking a supplement with vitamin D (p<0.001) or by having vitamin D status measured in the summer or fall (each p<0.05), compared with spring.Conclusions: Centenarians and octogenarians are at high risk for vitamin D insufficiency for many of the same reasons identified in younger populations. Given the numerous potential adverse consequences of poor vitamin D status, efforts are needed to ensure vitamin D adequacy in these older adults.     

Hip fractures in the oldest old. Comparative study of centenarians and nonagenarians and mortality risk factors

IntroductionCentenarians and nonagenarians constitute a rapidly growing age group in Western countries and they are expected to be admitted to hospital with hip fractures. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of centenarian and nonagenarian patients following a hip fracture and to identify risk factors related to in-hospital and post-discharge mortality in both groups.Patients and methodsA prospective evaluation of centenarian patients and nonagenarian controls admitted to a tertiary university hospital in Barcelona with hip fractures over a period of 5 years and 9 months. Baseline characteristics and outcomes in both patient groups were compared. Variables associated with in-hospital, 30-day, 3-month and 1-year mortality were also analyzed.ResultsThirty-three centenarians and 82 nonagenarians were included. The most relevant statistically significant differences found were: Barthel index at admission (61.90 vs. 75.22), number of drugs before admission (4.21vs 5.55), in-hospital complication rates (97 vs. 78%), readmissions at 3 months and 1 year (0 vs 11.7% and 3.4 vs. 19.5% respectively) and mortality at 3 months and 1 year (41.4 vs. 20.8% and 62.1 vs. 29.9%, respectively). Mean number of complications, rapid atrial fibrillation, mean age, and urinary tract infection were risk factors associated with mortality.ConclusionsCentenarian patients had similar in-hospital outcomes to nonagenarians, but experienced more complications and twice the 3-month and 1-year mortality rate. The mean number of complications was the risk factor most consistently related to in-hospital and post-discharge mortality. These findings emphasize the need to improve care in very old patients to prevent complications.     

百岁老人抗氧化机能观察

29例百岁老人检测抗氧化机能三种酶、红细胞SOD、血清CAT、GSH以及LPO,26例百岁老人检测发硒。结果表明百岁老人LPO明显低于老年组,SOD与对照组相似,CAT低于对照组,GSH在正常范围内。百岁老人发硒和老年组、青壮年组亦无差异,LPO保持低水平状态可能是减少老年性疾病发生机理之一,SOD和LPO呈明显负相关(r=-0.4672),SOD和TNF呈明显正相关(r=0.6079),说明百岁老人具有较强的抗氧化机能来消除自由基,上述各因素可能是延缓衰老而致长寿的因素之一。     

Accuracy of the centenarian numbers in Okinawa and the role of the Okinawan diet on longevity: Responses to Le Bourg about the article “Exploring the impact of climate on human longevity”

This response letter addresses two points raised by le Bourg when discussing our previous paper entitled “Exploring the impact of climate on human longevity”. First, the arguments explaining the accuracy of the numbers of centenarian in Okinawa are developed, and second the composition and healthfulness of the traditional Okinawan diet are described as well as the changes in dietary pattern and their impact on longevity.     

APBB2 genetic polymorphisms are associated with severe cognitive impairment in centenarians

APBB2 gene encodes for β-amyloid precursor protein-binding family B member 2, (APBB2, FE65-like, FE65L1), an adaptor protein binding to the cytoplasmatic domain of β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP). Over-expression of APBB2 promotes formation of β-amyloid (Aβ), the main constituent of senile plaques. Polymorphisms within APBB2 gene have been proposed as candidate risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. However, their association with longevity has never been investigated. Here we present the first attempt to analyze APBB2 polymorphisms in centenarians. We used a PCR-RFLP method to analyze two intronic nucleotide substitutions: hCV1558625 (rs17443013) and rs13133980. We found no differences in genotype or allele distribution between centenarians and young controls. After stratification of centenarians upon their cognitive performance, the APBB2 rs13133980 G allele was over-represented in centenarians with severe cognitive impairment compared to individuals without this disability. Also the hCV1558625-rs13133980 AG haplotype increased relative risk for severe cognitive impairment in centenarians. Our results support the concept of APBB2 polymorphism association with cognitive performance in the oldest age.     

Low level of the mtDNA deletion in blood of exceptionally old individuals

The common 4977-bp deletion in mitochondrial DNA (dmtDNA⁴⁹⁷⁷) occurs frequently in tissues of high oxygen demand and low mitotic activity, e.g. brain, heart and skeletal muscle, where it appears to show an age-related accumulation. Although dmtDNA⁴⁹⁷⁷ can also be detected in very low amounts in fast replicating tissues such as blood, it is still unclear whether an age-dependent distribution of dmtDNA⁴⁹⁷⁷ occurs in blood. In view of these uncertainties, we investigated the presence of the mutation and changes in the dmtDNA⁴⁹⁷⁷ level in whole blood samples from 473 individuals who belong to two different age groups, i.e. elderly (aged 61-75 years) and long-lived individuals (LLI, aged 95-109 years). We applied a highly sensitive and reliable duplex-PCR method that allowed relative quantification of dmtDNA⁴⁹⁷⁷. For validation, we additionally performed absolute quantification on a subset of samples using real time-PCR. Our results showed that the proportion of dmtDNA⁴⁹⁷⁷ carriers was very similar in both groups, but that the individual mutational load was on average much lower in the nonagenarians and centenarians than in the elderly. The finding was independent of smoking habits, gender or variation in APOE and FOXO3A but could be caused by other environmental and/or genetic factors.     

Regional differences in morbidity profiles and health care use in the oldest old: Findings from two Centenarian Studies in Portugal

BackgroundThe worldwide increase of human life expectancy and the rapid aging of the population will contribute to an increasing prevalence of chronic illness. Even so, individuals who reach very advanced ages often postpone or escape age-related diseases that are common causes of death.ObjectiveThis article aims to examine health-related characteristics of two distinct samples of Portuguese centenarians (one predominantly rural – PR vs. one predominantly urban - PU), and explore potential dissimilarities in their morbidity profiles and use of health care services.MethodsA total of 241 centenarians were considered. Sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and use of health care services were assessed by semi-structured interviews with the centenarians and their proxies (family or formal caregiver).ResultsA higher average of 4.80 self-reported illnesses (sd = 2.01) were found in the PU sample (vs. 2.96; sd = 1.77 in the PR sample); in overall the PR sample presented a better health condition with lower levels of physical and mental impairments, and a greater number of centenarians who did not succumb to the three most common lethal diseases (heart disease, non-skin cancer and stroke) in the elderly population (85.4% vs. 60% in the PU sample).ConclusionsPortuguese centenarians experienced a substantial number of illnesses, but an overall better health status was found in centenarians from the PR area. By providing distinctive health-related profiles, our findings suggest the importance of contextual factors in shaping how very advanced ages may be achieved.