1,721,126 research outputs found
Zinc dyshomeostasis, ageing and neurodegeneration: implications of A2M and inflammatory gene polymorphisms
No full textNK and NKT cell functions in immunosenescence
Full text linkImmunosenescence is defined as the state of dysregulated immune function that contributes to the increased susceptibility to infection, cancer and autoimmune diseases observed in old organisms, including humans. However, dysregulations in the immune functions are normally counterbalanced by continuous adaptation of the body to the deteriorations that occur over time. These adaptive changes are likely to occur in healthy human centenarians. Both innate (natural) and adaptive (acquired) immune responses decline with advancing age. Natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells represent the best model to describe innate and adaptive immune response in aging. NK and NKT cell cytotoxicity decreases in aging as well as interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production by both activated cell types. Their innate and acquired immune responses are preserved in very old age. However, NKT cells bearing T-cell receptor (TCR)γδ also display an increased cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production in very old age. This fact suggests that NKT cells bearing TCRγδ are more involved in maintaining innate and adaptive immune response in aging leading to successful aging. The role played by the neuroendocrine-immune network and by nutritional factors, such as zinc, in maintaining NK and NKT cell functions in aging is discussed. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd/Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2004
Molecular Basis of Nutrition and Aging: A Volume in the Molecular Nutrition Series
No full textMolecular Basis of Nutrition and Aging: A Volume in the Molecular Nutrition Series focuses on the nutritional issues associated with aging and the important metabolic consequences of diet, nutrition, and health. The book is subdivided into four parts that reflect the impact of nutrition from a biomolecular level to individual health. In Part One, chapters explore the general aspects of aging, aging phenotypes, and relevant aspects of nutrition related to the elderly and healthy aging. Part Two includes molecular and cellular targets of nutrition in aging, with chapters exploring lipid peroxidation, inflammaging, anabolic and catabolic signaling, epigenetics, DNA damage and repair, redox homeostasis, and insulin sensitivity, among others. Part Three looks at system-level and organ targets of nutrition in aging, including a variety of tissues, systems, and diseases, such as immune function, the cardiovascular system, the brain and dementia, muscle, bone, lung, and many others. Finally, Part Four focuses on the health effects of specific dietary compounds and dietary interventions in aging, including vitamin D, retinol, curcumin, folate, iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, vitamin B, fish oil, vitamin E, resveratrol, polyphenols, vegetables, and fruit, as well as the current nutritional recommendations. Offers updated information and a perspectives on important future developments to different professionals involved in the basic and clinical research on all major nutritional aspects of aging Explores how nutritional factors are involved in the pathogenesis of aging across body systems Investigates the molecular and genetic basis of aging and cellular senescence through the lens of the rapidly evolving field of molecular nutritio
Possible new antiaging strategies related to neuroendocrine-immune interactions
No full textThe aging process demonstrates gradual and spontaneous changes, resulting in maturation through childhood, puberty and young adulthood, and then decline through middle and late age. However, animals and humans are capable of reaching the extreme limit of life span characteristic for the species with a very efficient network of antiaging mechanisms. Among them, neuroendocrine-immune interactions play a pivotal role. The loss of the capacity of the organism in remodeling the neuroendocrine-immune response leads to the appearance of age-associated pathologies. We herein report some substances which can be proposed as new antiaging strategies because of their capacity to remodel some biological functions in old animals and humans. These substances are: L-deprenyl, leptin, ghrelin, carnosine and NO donors. Their role as possible antiaging strategies in healthy people in relation to neuroendocrine-immune responses and zinc ion bioavailability is reported and discussed. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG
Nutrient (zinc and vitamin E)-gene interactions related to inflammatory and antioxidant response in aging and inflammation
No full textAging is an inevitable biological process with gradual and spontaneous biochemical and physiological changes and increased susceptibility to diseases. Some nutritional factors (zinc and vitamin E) may remodel these changes leading to a possible avoidance of diseases with subsequent healthy aging, because they are involved in improving immune functions and antioxidant defence. The polymorphisms of some genes codifying proteins related to inflammation are predictive on the one hand of longevity, while, on the other hand, they are associated with atherosclerosis. Since the health life span has a strong genetic component, which is in turn also affected by nutritional factors such as zinc and vitamin E, these polymorphisms can be useful tools for establishing the real beneficial effects of zinc or vitamin E in older subjects to prevent or delay as much as possible the appearance of age-related diseases. Therefore, zinc or vitamin E and gene interactions are crucial to healthy aging. © SINPE-GASAPE
Role of zinc and selenium in oxidative stress and immunosenescence: Implications for healthy ageing and longevity
No full textAgeing is an inevitable biological process with gradual and spontaneous biochemical and physiological changes and increased susceptibility to diseases. Some nutritional factors (zinc and selenium) may remodel these changes leading to a possible escaping of diseases with subsequent healthy ageing, because they are especially involved in improving immune functions as well as antioxidant defense. Experiments performed in vitro (human lymphocytes exposed to endotoxins) and in vivo (old mice or young mice fed with low zinc dietary intake) show that zinc is important for immune response both innate and adoptive. Selenium provokes zinc release by Metallothioneins (MT), via reduction of glutathione peroxidase. This fact is crucial in ageing because high MT may be unable to release zinc with subsequent low intracellular free zinc ion availability for immune response. Taking into account the existence of zinc transporters (ZnT and ZIP family) for cellular zinc efflux and influx, respectively, the association between ZnT and MT is important in maintaining satisfactory intracellular zinc homeostasis in ageing. Improved immune performance occur in elderly after physiological zinc supplementation, which also induces prolonged survival in old, nude and neonatal thymectomized mice. The association zinc plus selenium improves humoral immunity in old subjects after influenza vaccination. Therefore, zinc and selenium are relevant for immunosenescence in order to achieve healthy ageing and longevity
Zinc signalling and subcellular distribution: emerging targets in type 2 diabetes
No full textA finely tuned subcellular distribution of zinc (Zn), through the coordinated action of Zn transporters (ZnTs) and metallothioneins (MTs), is crucial for optimal cell function. Dysfunctions of these proteins might act as key causative or promoting factors in several chronic pathologies. Evidence of their involvement in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (DM2) is emerging. The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding ZnT-8 and MT with DM2 has drawn attention to the relevance of Zn homeostasis for insulin secretory capacity and responsiveness. Here, we propose that potential mechanisms leading to altered subcellular Zn distribution rather than deficiency might be important in DM2. Increasing knowledge of the mechanisms of Zn homeostasis and signalling should promote the development of targeted interventions with the potential to reduce the burden of disease. © 2008
In vitro and in vivo effects of mercuric chloride on thymic endocrine activity, NK and NKT cell cytotoxicity, cytokine profiles (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-6): role of the nitric oxide-L-arginine pathway.
No full textEffetto protettivo dell’arginina sul sistema immunologico specifico in topi intossicati con basse dosi di mercurio
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